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Gray Owl Award
The Gray Owl Award is presented to the senior naval flight officer, naval flight officer (NFO) on continuous active duty in the United States Navy, U.S. Navy or United States Marine Corps, Marine Corps who has held that designation for the longest period of time. A naval flight officer in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps is distinct from a United States Naval Aviator, naval aviator in that the aviator pilots the aircraft, while an NFO provides knowledge and expertise to assist piloting, such as in navigation, airborne weapons targeting and delivery, aerodynamics, flight planning, as well as piloting and safety. By virtue of being qualified for the Gray Owl Trophy, which by definition represents long years of dedicated service to the Navy or Marine Corps, the recipient is considered “a symbol of stalwart and intrepid professionalism.” Similar awards include the Gray Eagle Award, presented to the United States Naval Aviator, Naval Aviator on continuous active duty in the U.S. Na ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Naval Flight Officer
A naval flight officer (NFO) is a commissioned officer in the United States Navy or United States Marine Corps who specializes in airborne weapons and sensor systems. NFOs are not pilots (naval aviators), but they may perform many "co-pilot" or "mission specialist" functions, depending on the type of aircraft. Until 1966, their duties were performed by both commissioned officer and senior enlisted naval aviation observers (NAO). In 1966, enlisted personnel were removed from naval aviation observer duties but continued to serve in enlisted aircrew roles, while NAO officers received the newly established NFO designation, and the NFO insignia was introduced. NFOs in the US Navy begin their careers as unrestricted line officers (URL), eligible for command at sea and ashore in the various naval aviation aircraft type/model/series (T/M/S) communities and, at a senior level, in command of carrier air wings and aircraft carriers afloat and functional air wings, naval air stations and ot ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
