Point Mugu-Based Squadron to Fly Over Malibu for Veterans Day Ceremony

The World Famous Black Eagles of VAW-113, a squadron that has flown missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and New Dawn, will fly over Malibu Sunday as part of a special Veterans Day ceremony.

The flyover is expected -- weather permitting -- during the ceremony, which is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at Malibu Legacy Park on Civic Center Way.

The commanding officer of VAW-113, Cmdr. Kumar Atarthi, will be one of the speakers participating in the event, according to Capt. Todd Watkins, who is based at Point Mugu. Ararthi has spent more than 2,000 hours in the E-2C Hawkeye, according to his bio.

The Black Eagles of VAW-113 are one of four E-2C Hawkeye squadrons stationed at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu. The VAW-113 is assigned to Carrier Air Wing TWO and the USS Ronald Reagan, Watkins said.

"Most recently, VAW-113 flew humanitarian assistance/disaster response missions over Japan, providing critically needed food, water, medicine, and shelter to over 30,000 displaced persons during Operation Tomodachi after a tragic earthquake, resultant tsunami, and nuclear reactor meltdown," Watkins said.

Other members of military of past and present wars will speak about their experiences, according to organizers.

Also, artwork created by David Schwartz of Malibu has been placed on T-shirts that will be for sale for $20. Schwartz used an American flag that flew over Malibu City Hall for the artwork.

The event is sponsored by the Malibu Chamber of Commerce, Pepperdine University, the City of Malibu and the Malibu Times.