Article - NAS Meridian Training Air Wing One - 2018

NAS Meridian Training Air Wing One

HISTORY

Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS) Meridian, which was commissioned July 14, 1961.

Training Squadron Seven (VT-7) arrived at NAAS Meridian July 12,1961, then split on December 15 to form its sister squadron, Training Squadron Nine (VT-9).

By July 1968 NAAS Meridian became Naval Air Station (NAS) Meridian.

In August 1971, Training Air Wing One (TAW-1) was commissioned and Training Squadron Nineteen (VT-19) was established. That October saw the arrival of the TA-4J, the new advanced jet trainer based on the A-4 "Skyhawk."

In April 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, accompanied by Senator John C. Stennis and many other high-ranking military and civilian officials, attended the dedication of the new Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC), known locally as the Stennis Center. It was officially commissioned April 17,1974.

In July 1994, Training Squadron Twenty-Three (VT-23) moved from Kingsville, Texas, to NAS Meridian.

1st Lt. Karen Fuller Tribbett received Wings of Gold on October 17, 1997, becoming the first female strike pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps.

In October 1998, VT-19 was re-designated VT-9.

The TA-4J "Skyhawk" was retired in 1999. In December of that year, VT-7 assumed the advanced training mission using the T-45 "Goshawk," the Navy's newest jet trainer. At that same time, VT-23 was disestablished.

In July 2004, the last T-2C “Buckeye” left NAS Meridian marking the end of Navy strike pilot training in that aircraft. Two months later the Search and Rescue mission was divested.

Currently two squadrons are assigned to NAS Meridian VT-7 "Eagles" and VT-9 "Tigers" all flying the T-45C "Goshawk"

TRAINING AIR WING ONE (TAW-1)

TAW-1 has over 90 T-45C "Goshawk" assigned to it's two squadrons VT-7 and VT-9. Over 100 Student Naval Aviators (SNAs) train over a 12 month period. As part of the SNA's Strike training, instructors will train them in day missions, night missions, two and four ship formation flying, Air Combat Maneuvering (ACM), Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP), navigation, air-ground bombing and finally carrier deck landings including multiple touch and go's. For the SNA's to earn their golden wings they must complete each stage of their training, including classroom work then to end their course complete the carrier deck arrested landings. Carrier Qualifications (CQ) training is conducted at NAS El Centro CA (West coast) and Cecil Field FL (East coast).

FISCAL YEAR 2017

72 instructor pilots assigned

1 Royal Navy instructor assigned VT-9

209 USN/USMC SNA's trained

12 International pilots trained

CQ detachments 9

We would like to the thank the PAO team on NAS Meridian for the up close access granted upon our multiple visits on base.

Author/photography Mark Forest