Sigonella News Update

NEWBORN PASSPORTS

Newborn passports are normally processed through U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella, but recent staffing changes have meant that no one qualified to process newborn passports remained on site. As a temporary measure, Sigonella PSD will now process newborn passports through January 2022 to help bridge the gap until new personnel arrive at the hospital. PSD will continue to process no-fee passports applications and, as a courtesy, fee passports applications for adults and children.

UTILITIES PRICES

Electricity and gas prices in Italy have increased as a result of recently changed host nation tariffs. The allowances that you receive to pay for utilities while living on the economy depend on your employment status. If you are an active duty service member, they are determined by the Defense Travel Management Office Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) survey, which is conducted annually to collect utility/recurring maintenance expenses incurred by uniformed service members stationed overseas who reside in private housing. The last OHA survey was completed in May 2021. DTMO is aware of increases across the EU and is working to arrange a new survey to capture these and other costs across the EU. For civilians, the Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) rates are set by the Department of State’s Office of Allowances based upon annual Living Quarters Expenditure Surveys. The Sigonella HR department is currently exploring the ability to have an out of cycle LQE survey for Italy. We will keep you informed of any surveys that will impact your allowances.

POST OFFICE SERVICES

We would like to give you a few more details about the current situation at the post office. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted NAVSUP’s normal mail movement routes leading in and out of our AOR (area of responsibility). Fleet Mail Center Sigonella receives mail daily (Mon-Sat) from Catania airport. Pre-COVID, there was an average of 10 flights daily between Rome Intl. Airport and Catania Airport. Since that time, the incoming flights have been reduced to 2-3 due to commercial airline restrictions and cargo limitations. Fewer flights means fewer opportunities to receive mail, unfortunately. The good news is that while mail has slowed down, it is still moving, all things considered. On average, mail takes 13.2 days to arrive from Catania from the serving gateway CONUS, and 13.9 days to arrive CONUS from here. As a reminder, our recommended holiday mailing dates this year are 23 November for ground and 30 November for priority and first class packages.

Our mail movement issues are not unique to Sigonella. The Military Postal Service is an extension of the United States Postal Service (USPS), and as such we are affected by their operations as well. The United States Postal Service is also experiencing records highs in mail volume and delays due to current world events. Nevertheless, we strive to bring you your packages and letters as quickly as we can within these constraints. Parcel pick up hours are as follows:

NAS 1 Post Office: 0900-1600 M-F

NAS 2 Post Office: Command Mail call 1200-1600, M-F.

Command mail call start time of 1200 gives the postal staff adequate time to receive and process incoming mail from Catania airport. This also ensures that you receive the mail the same day it’s received from the airport without any additional delays.

NEX UPDATES

The past year and half have been difficult both for customers and employees at retail locations all over. Supply chain issues have affected product availability, including (but not limited to) children’s clothing and food items here in Sigonella. In some cases, the NEX has been able to supplement with product from DECA, but in general, delays and low availability continue to be an issue. Children’s clothing in particular has gone through a transition in the last few months, but we have started to receive inventory from Old Navy and GAP. A wider variety of clothing can be found at mynavyexchange.com. Beginning in late September the NEX has increased their deliveries from two times a week to three, and inventory levels are increasing. While there are no easy solutions, both the NEX and commissary are working to improve their selections.