Twins winged at NAS Meridian

NAS MERIDIAN, Miss. - Identical twin brothers completed almost two years of training July 27 in the T-45C "Goshawk" with Training Squadron Seven (VT-7) at Naval Air Station Meridian. Marine aviators 1st Lt. Andrea "Andy" Occhipinti and brother Capt. Matteo Occhipinti were joined by four others for the “Wings of Gold” pinning ceremony. Born in Italy, the Occhipintis moved to America at age six. At 16, the brothers visited a recruiting center to start thinking of military careers. Though both were commissioned at different times, both earned their wings together. The time has come for them to separate again. “Andy” will go to Miramar, Calif., to fly F-18 Hornets; and Matteo goes to Beaufort, S.C. F-35Bs. "We've completed a milestone and now it's time to see the world," Matteo said. NASM is home to Training Air Wing One which has two squadron's VT-7 and VT-9 that train on average 80 aviators annually.(Source: NAS Meridian 07/30/18)