Training Air Wing One at Naval Air Station Meridian, Mississippi

Just 15 miles northeast of downtown Meridian lies Naval Air Station Meridian jet training facility. NAS Meridian hosts Training Wing One and training squadrons VT-7 and VT-9.The mission of Training Air Wing ONE is to provide newly designated aviators to the fleet for further training in operational combat aircraft and is conveyed in the wing motto, “Readiness for Victory at Sea Through Training.” Training Air Wing ONE is also tasked with training international military aviators from countries including France, Italy, and Spain.

Training Wing ONE receives Student Naval Aviators upon completion of Primary Flight Training in the T-6B Texan II. Training Squadron SEVEN and Training Squadron NINE train Student Naval Aviators in the Boeing T-45C Goshawk, the Navy’s most advanced strike jet trainer. Upon completion of Advanced flight instruction, the Student Naval Aviators are designated Naval Aviators and receive their “Wings of Gold.”

NAS Meridian maintains a separate runway, Joe Williams Outlying Landing Field (OLF), approximately 25 miles northwest of the main air station. Joe Williams OLF is an 8,000 foot long runway ,used to reduced traffic congestion at the main air station, primarily when students are conducting Field Carrier Landing Practice in preparation for initial aircraft carrier qualification