Twelve aviators received their “Wings of Gold” during a naval aviator designation ceremony Thursday in the Chapel on board NAS Meridian. 

The ceremony is not prescribed specifically by U.S. Navy regulations, but has emerged as an honored product of the rich heritage of naval tradition. It marks the culmination of nearly two years of specialized training, which has prepared these officers for the rigorous demands of aerial combat and carrier operations — earning each the title of “Naval Aviator” and the right to wear the coveted “Wings of Gold.”

Those earning their wings include:

Lt. j.g. Joshua Michael Adams, USN, earned two Navy “E’s” for bombing accuracy. He carrier qualified in the T-45C on board the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Oct. 26. Adams completed Advanced Jet Flight Training with Training Squadron Seven.

Lt. j.g. Cameron James Benner, USN, was selected for E2/C2 and underwent multi-engine training in Corpus Christi, Texas, before arriving in Meridian. He carrier qualified in the T-45C on board the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Dec. 12. Benner completed Advanced Jet Flight Training with Training Squadron Seven.

Lt. j.g. Cory Scott Couture, USN, was selected for E2/C2 and underwent multi-engine training in Corpus Christi before arriving in Meridian. He carrier qualified in the T-45C on board the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Dec. 12. Couture completed Advanced Jet Flight Training with Training Squadron Seven.

1st Lt. Michael James Fineis, USMC, carrier qualified in the T-45C on board the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) Dec. 12. Fineis completed Advanced Jet Flight Training with Training Squadron Seven.

Lt. j.g. Ross Bonn Gamelgaard, USN, earned four Navy “E’s” for bombing accuracy. He carrier qualified in the T-45C on board the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Oct. 27. Gamelgaard completed Advanced Jet Flight Training with Training Squadron Seven.

Lt. j.g. Ty Southwick Griffin, USN, carrier qualified in the T-45C on board the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Oct. 27, where he received the “Top Hook” award. Griffin completed Advanced Jet Flight Training with Training Squadron Seven.

Lt. j.g. Maxtrillion Jacob Kyman, USN, was selected for E2/C2 and underwent multi-engine training in Corpus Christi before arriving in Meridian. He carrier qualified in the T-45C on board the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Dec. 13. Kyman completed Advanced Jet Flight Training with Training Squadron Seven.

Lt. j.g. Mitchell James Lopes, USN, earned one Navy “E” for bombing accuracy during Advanced Jet Flight Training. He carrier qualified in the T-45C on board the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Oct. 27. Lopes completed Advanced Jet Flight Training with Training Squadron Nine.

Lt. j.g. Mark Andrew Lutthans, USN, was selected for E2/C2 and underwent multi-engine training in Corpus Christi before arriving in Meridian. He carrier qualified in the T-45C on board the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Dec. 13. Lutthans completed Advanced Jet Flight Training with Training Squadron Seven.

Lt. Christopher Joseph O’Donnell, USN, earned one Navy “E” for bombing accuracy during Advanced Jet Flight Training. He carrier qualified in the T-45C on board the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Oct. 27. O’Donnell completed Advanced Jet Flight Training with Training Squadron Nine.

Lt. j.g. John Henry Rapp, USN, was selected for E2/C2 and underwent multi-engine training in Corpus Christi before arriving in Meridian. He carrier qualified in the T-45C on board the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Dec. 13. Rapp completed Advanced Jet Flight Training with Training Squadron Seven.

1st Lt. Steven Andrew Schwartz, USMC, earned one Navy “E” for bombing accuracy during Advanced Jet Flight Training. He carrier qualified in the T-45C on board the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) Oct. 27. Schwartz completed Advanced Jet Flight Training with Training Squadron Seven.