Naval Aviators Winged During 70th Anniversary ’26 Hook Symposium
Surrounded by family, friends, and generations of naval aviators, four student naval aviators received their Wings of Gold during a winging ceremony on August 22 at the Hook ‘26 symposium in Reno, Nevada.
The winging ceremony is a time-honored naval tradition where students receive their coveted “Wings of Gold.” This event marks the culmination of months of demanding academic, simulator and flight training, signifying the transition from student naval aviators and student flight officers to fleet-ready aviators and flight officers.
The ceremony celebrated two new U.S. Navy aviators, one U.S. Marine Corps aviator, and one U.S. Navy flight officer.
Rear Adm. Max McCoy, Chief of Naval Air Training, oversees the flight training pipeline, directing the preparation of all Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aviators and flight officers. McCoy delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the immense responsibility that comes with wearing the coveted Wings of Gold.
“You are joining a sacred lineage,” Rear Adm. McCoy told the new aviators. “When those wings of gold are pinned on your chest, you are inheriting a legacy built by those who fought at Midway, who flew over Korea and Vietnam, walked on the moon, and who have projected power across the globe for more than a century.”
McCoy also took time to recognize the families in the audience, noting that naval aviation is a “team sport” and that the love and support of parents and spouses are forever bound to the wings their loved one’s wear. In addition to the on-stage recognition, the newly winged aviators also received official letters of congratulations from Tailhook leadership to commemorate the occasion.
Senior Navy and Marine Corps leaders stepped forward to pin the Wings of Gold on the four graduates during the annual Tailhook symposium. The Tailhook Symposium is an annual multi-day gathering hosted by theTailhook Associationfor active-duty and retired U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators, defense industry leaders, and supporters to discuss carrier aviation, professional development, and modern military readiness.
Each new Naval Aviator brings a unique background and family legacy of military service to the fleet. U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Akira Koyama-Adams, from Okinawa, Japan, was pinned by Rear Adm. Greg Huffman. U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Seth Evanhoe, from Redding, Calif., was pinned by Adm. Chris Aquilino (Ret.). U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Caden Dudley, from Bethel, Alaska, was pinned by Lt. Gen. William Swan. U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Isaac Vega, from Melissa, Texas, was pinned by Vice Adm. Marc Miguez.
Aquilino, former commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, asked the experienced aviators in the room to stand and be recognized as the new aviators’ extended family.
“This is a family business,” Aquilino said. “It's a group and a camaraderie that exists nowhere else on earth. It's a dangerous business. We take care of each other, and when you can't be there for them, the rest of these people will be there for them.”
As these newly winged aviators prepare to head to their respective fleet replacement squadrons, they leave with clear orders.
“Tomorrow the work begins. The expectations skyrocket. The fleet is waiting,” McCoy said. “The sky is not your limit; it is your arena. Welcome to the ready room.”
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