Pence on hand as his Hoosier son receives Wings of Gold

MERIDIAN, Miss. — The son of U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has graduated from naval aviator training in Mississippi with his father looking on.

The Meridian Star reports Marine 1st Lt. Michael Pence was among seven pilots pinned with golden wings Friday at Naval Air Station Meridian in Mississippi.

The vice president presented each graduate with a challenge coin.

Both Pences declined interviews.

RELATED

Pence warns Coast Guard graduates of the perils facing US

Vice President Mike Pence warned the new U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduates on Wednesday of the perils America faces from rogue regimes, criminal networks and terrorist groups, saying the new ensigns will be on the front lines of the threats from illegal drugs, terrorism, human trafficking and nuclear proliferation.

The class spent longer than the normal year at the base because U.S. Navy training jets were grounded for a time during 2017. That’s because pilots reported episodes of oxygen deficiency, including shortness of breath and disorientation.

Base commander Capt. Brian Horstman says the graduates are "kind of special to us because they were here twice as long."

The graduates included a pilot in the French navy.

In Other News

VA to resume new electronic health record rollout in mid-2026

The project was scheduled to take 10 years and cost $16 billion. Nearly eight years later, only six of VA’s 170-plus medical sites are using the software.

Suicides among veterans remain unchanged despite federal focus

The figures are the latest available from federal census data and suggest limited progress on the issue of suicide prevention by Veterans Affairs leaders.

Looming government shutdown could hurt military families, veterans

Plans to avert a partial government shutdown starting this weekend appeared scuttled after President-elect Donald Trump opposed the bipartisan deal.

Live in the Tricare West Region? Do this before Dec. 31.

Beneficiaries in the West Region who don't provide recurring payment information could risk losing Tricare coverage.

Senate finalizes plans for a massive junior enlisted pay boost in 2025

Troops ranked E-4 and below would see a 14.5% raise and all other troops a 4.5% raise under legislation headed to the White House.

Load More