June 11, 2020
Vol. 37 No. 9
PHOENIX SOARS OVER SIGONELLA pages 6 & 7
U.S. NAVY TO BAN CONFEDERATE FLAG MILITARY WORKING DOGS SAFE GUARD SIGONELLA
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Direct Line
Regina Fivella, Director, Fleet and Family Support Center
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he COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live, learn, work and interact. We all have work to do as we transition out of lockdown and return to interacting in physical proximity to coworkers and reconnecting with friends, neighbors, and loved ones. Many of us will face recovery not just from contagion worries, but from psychological trauma of having lived under chronic uncertainty, isolation, financial insecurity, job loss, and for some, the death of friends or family. Some of us will not feel safe reintegrating back into our community, and yet we will be required to do so to support ourselves and the mission. Whether your fears involve going back to work in an office, readjusting to a faster pace after months of slowing down, or concerns about your health, anxiety around the idea of the lockdown being lifted is normal. In addition to the anxiety of coming out of lockdown, some may be experiencing negative emotions regarding the unrest back home that has now spread throughout the globe. If you find yourself focusing on the worst possible outcomes, it is absolutely necessary to take a break and address those thoughts before they spiral, which can cause you unnecessary stress. First, acknowledge how you’re feeling. Then, take time to consider what specifically is worrying you and what’s triggering your anxiety. Once you know what that is, you can either adjust or adapt. You may not be able to control what’s going on around you, but you can decide how you are going to experience it. I recommend finding healthy activities which provide you stability or confidence in an otherwise uncertain situation. This can be something you can control,
even if it’s a few minutes out of your day. Make an appointment with yourself and schedule personal time for a hobby, a book, or meditation. Regular exercise, rest, and eating healthy will provide you with the endurance necessary to get through it. Verbalizing your thoughts can also help to build your confidence and give you back a sense of control when everything else may seem chaotic. Take good care of yourself first, and you will have more to give to others. The Fleet and Family Support Center‘s doors are always open to provide you the resources on how to manage your emotional health. Our counselors and specialists are here to help. Sometimes, talking through your thoughts aloud with someone can be a great way of understanding where your concerns originated, and how you might be able to address them. • If you need to speak with someone from the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program, they can be reached 24/7 at 335642-8312 or 335-606-6146. • We also have a financial counselor who can help you get back on your feet by building a budget or provide you with tips on what you can do with the money you saved due to the lockdown. • For those who are transitioning out of the military and spouses who are seeking employment, our TAP and Employment Specialist can walk you through the process of developing your transition plan and how to format your resume. • For those who arrived in
Sigonella just before the lockdown, be sure to reach out to our Relocation Specialist or take one of his classes to gain an understanding of the Italian language and culture. It is common to feel stressed or anxious during difficult life events. Anxiety is normal, especially after having lived through months of deep and sudden change. Recognizing how you feel can help you care for yourself, manage your stress and cope with challenging situations. Take things slow and be patient with yourself. If you find you need a little help, we will be here when you are ready. We are located on the first floor of bldg. 319 on NAS 1 and can be reached at 095-56-4291 or via email at sign9.ffsc@eu.navy.mil. You can also follow us on our Facebook Page www.facebook. com/ffscsigonella where we post information about our programs and services, tips, tools and helpful resources. You are not alone; we are in this together. Stay strong, Sigonella!
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Interactive Customer Evaluation Comment Regarding Lights in front of Bldg. 618 : I have been assigned to AIMD for the last 5 months and as I come into work in the morning I see that the lights outside the NAS Sigonella command building and PWD are never on. One of my shipmates was bite by a feral dog coming from that location and with the lights out this give the dogs a better chance to get closer to their potential victims before being seen! Not sure if anyone is aware since maybe no one is there during the hours of darkness. Thanks again for listening! Response: We have received multiple ICE comments regarding the exterior lighting deficiencies around NAS II. Thank you for your forceful backup regarding the lighting in front of building 618 and the pass and ID office at NAS II. Public Works Department Sailors repaired the pass and ID lighting. Regarding the building 618, Public Works duty officers conducted an assessment of all the faulty lighting and submitted an updated work order to repair our exterior lighting on NAS II. This is another great example of a Sig Sailor taking action for the safety of our community! Comments Regarding Marinai Yards: Does anyone monitor the yards here? The grass in some yards is really tall and there isn’t very good upkeep. I have little kids and with all the talk of snakes and ticks this is a hazard and not according to housing policy. It’s not like people can’t say they aren’t home or have the time. Health safety should be a priority. Response: Thank you for bringing this issue up. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic
and associated Italian lockdown restrictions, yard inspections were temporarily suspended. As we have moved into the easing of restrictions, Marinai family housing yard inspections have been re-instated as of Wednesday, May 20. Every Wednesday, inspectors go out and inspect the lawn maintenance. The process for yard inspections is as follows. If your yard is not properly maintained, the first citation is a friendly reminder, the second is a written warning, and in rare instances third citation is a report to the offending resident’s chain of command. Please continue to care for the government property under your care.
Bravo Zulu BZ to PSD I would like to thank the PSD Team. Had some issues and they fixed them with great customer service. Specifically would like to acknowledge PS3 Worrell outstanding help and follow-up. Thank you PS3! BZ to NSF Hooyah Security Sailors, I just wanted to say thank you to the Security Department. My wife and I were coming through the Naval Station One gate when a young woman standing the watch informed us that my wife’s ID card was about to expire. The Sailor was extremely professional and even showed us how to schedule an appointment with the personnel office online to get the ID renewed. Truly amazing, back in my day we would have been sent on our way with no notice. I appreciate the forwarding thinking and outstanding service!
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U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA
Commanding Officer Capt. Kevin Pickard Executive Officer Cmdr. Patrick J. Moran Command Master Chief CMDCM Nancy Estrada EDITORIAL
Public Affairs Officer Lt. Karl Schonberg karl.schonberg@eu.navy.mil Assistant Public Affairs Officer Megan Mills megan.mills@eu.navy.mil
Public Affairs Leading Petty Officer MC1 Kegan Kay kegan.kay@eu.navy.mil Community Relations Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta alberto.lunetta.it@eu.navy.mil PAO Staff Writers \ Photographers MC2 Joshua Coté joshua.m.cote@eu.navy.mil MCSA Triniti Lersch triniti.lersch@navy.mil CONTACT US
Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily thesig@eu.navy.mil DSN 624-5440; 095-86-5440 PSC 812 Box 7, FPO, AE 09627-0001
This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services overseas. Contents of The Signature are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense (DoD), or the U.S. Navy. Editorial submissions are welcomed from all Naval Air Station Sigonella departments, divisions and tenant commands. Editorial submissions should be sent to the Public Affairs Office via thesig@eu.navy.mil. All articles submitted by non-staff members will be considered contributing writers.
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Name: Caleb Smith Command: NAS Sigonella Department: AIMD- 900 Division By MCSA Triniti Lersch, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
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viation Support Equipmentman (AS) Airman Caleb Smith, a native of Miles City, Montana, loves water. The Navy, which offers a job surrounded by it, seemed like a good choice. Naval Air Station Sigonella is Smith’s first command, serving with Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Detachment (AIMD) –900 Division –Ground Support Equipment. While working in the AIMD -900 Division, Smith has completed 109 maintenance jobs in the last 6 months, despite COVID-19 restrictions and observed precautions. “ASAN Smith is an essential asset to the AIMD Ground Support Equipment team,” remarked Division Officer Lieutenant Christopher Fife. “His tenacious work ethic is infectious and his ‘can do’ attitude positively influences everyone up and down the chain of command.” Work for Smith is primarily focused on conducting maintenance on any support equipment, which is anything that can move, supply power, or cool a jet. Aviation Support Equipmentman, as a whole, are responsible for operating, maintaining, repairing and testing
automotive electrical systems in ground equipment, gasoline and diesel systems, and associated automotive, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. They also maintain gas turbine compressors and ground air-conditioning units, perform metal fabrication, repair and the painting of tow tractors and other aircraft servicing units Smith usually arrives at work around 6:20 a.m. to open the bay doors and turn on all the lights. He then checks the tasks that he and his fellow Sailors have to work on for the day, while he waits for his supervisors and everyone else to show up. They do their muster, pass down and then they go right into work at 7:30 a.m. In addition to his required duties, Smith does all the sweeping and mopping and likes to take time to help others finish their tasks of the day. “He is a true testament of our Navy core values which are exemplified through his hard work, attention to detail, and his ability to inspire those around him,” said Fife. The desire to help others is very important to Smith, and he wants to translate that desire into going to school to
be an Emergency Medical Technician. His ultimate goal is to become a paramedic. EMTs are the most common type of providers in all of the Emergency Medical Services. They are the entrylevel patient care provider followed by EMT-Intermediates (in some states) and then paramedics. They build on their EMT education and learn more skills such as administering advanced medical care. “A lot of the classes require in person training like labs,” explained Smith. “There’s more that has to get figured out.” Smith has been onboard NAS Sigonella for seven months and expects to be here for his full tour of three years. Being stationed in Italy is his first overseas tour, and he plans on traveling all over Europe. If the opportunity arises he would like to travel to Egypt and North Africa too. “I love it here,” said Smith. “It would have been a lot more fun, but due to COVID-19 I wasn’t able to do much. Now that the restrictions are being lifted, I can go explore. I’m looking forward to it.”
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F-35A and A-10C Aircraft Land in Sigonella U.S. Air Force F-35A Lighting II fighter aircraft and A-10 Thunderbolt II “Warthog� aircraft conduct a layovers at Naval Air Station Sigonella. This is the first time an F-35A has landed at NAS Sigonella in base history.
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Phoenix Soars Over Sig By NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
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t took over 20 years and more than 20 countries to make it happen, but on June 4, the Phoenix rose into the Sicilian sky for a momentous first flight, heralding a new era in NATO aviation history. Coming in at over 7 tons and with a longer wingspan than a Boeing 737, the Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) NATO RQ-4D “Phoenix” remotely piloted aircraft is not your average drone. Based on the US Air Force block 40 Global Hawk, it has been uniquely adapted to NATO requirements, providing state-of-the art intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities that will benefit all NATO allies. This initial flight test lasted 9 hours, with pilots working in the NATO AGS Operations center controlling the aircraft from takeoff to landing. During the flight, the Phoenix’s sensors collected Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery and Moving Target Information (MTI) data which,
Photos curtesy of NATO
was transferred to the Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination (PED) center for near realtime processing and future distribution to Allies. “I am proud of the team! They were able to successfully conduct the first mission launching, operating and landing our NATO RQ-4D Phoenix “MAGMA10” today,” said Major General Phillip Stewart, United States Air Force, commander of the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force (NAGSF). “For many among the Force and for the whole of NATO, this is a great milestone event opening the chapter for a new and muchneeded capability of the Alliance in the field of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance,” he added. Naval Air Station Sigonella (NASSIG), known as the Hub of the Med, is the “perfect fit for long-term flight,” said Lt. Col. Stephan Mehl, a German Air Force pilot involved in this mission. Capable of continuous flight for over 20 hours,
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gonella For First Flight the Phoenix represents years of hard work of several countries and contractors. “There have been a lot of ups and downs,” Mehl added. “Seeing the integration from different companies complementing each other and working together rather than just beside each other separately is rewarding.” Being part of an international team was an asset, according to German Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Falk Plankenhorn. “We are taught different ways to approach problems, but maybe someone has a better way to solve it,” he said. “It can be challenging because you may think you know it all, but you don’t. We call all learn from each other.” After working so long on this project, Lt. Col. Mehl was proud to be a part of this milestone, having seen it go “from an idea to maturing through all the stages,” he said. “It may take some time for it to sink in.”
“It’s a great feeling of accomplishment,” said Plankenhorn, who was responsible for the interpretation of the “blinking dots” sent back by the Phoenix. “It is great to see what you put into place actually take off.” This flight is just the beginning for the Phoenix and AGS. According to Mehl, AGS is using a crawl, walk, run approach, and the next phase will be “getting acquainted with it.” In the future, AGS will be able to observe what is happening on the Earth’s surface, providing situational awareness before, during and, if needed, after NATO operations. Both AGS team members noted the positive role Sigonella has played in getting the Phoenix off the ground. “We are happy to be here in Sigonella,” said Plankehorn. Mehl added, “We are grateful for the support from NASSIG as a whole. We never received a stop sign; they always found new paths to adjust to our needs.”
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Italy is the first European country to fully reopen its borders to EU countries, lifting quarantine restrictions for tourists. However, many European nations are adopting patchwork regulations and keep their border closed as a safety health precaution. (Photo by eunews.it)
Italy Lifts Travel Restrictions Ahead of Other EU Countries By Dr. Alberto Lunetta, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs une 3rd was the date that everyone was waiting for. After nearly three months of lockdown, the Italian government lifted restrictions on interregional and international travel within the Schengen area. The shutdown of most economic activity in response to the Coronavirus pandemic led to devastating economic effects such as layoffs and permanent closures. Prior to the easing of restrictions, several rallies were held in many Italian cities, including Rome and Milan, to criticize how the government handled the Covid-19 emergency. The largest protests were organized by the center-right parties and the anti-establishment Orange Vests movement. Starting on June 3, tourists from the 26 members of the European Union and Schengen area have been allowed to travel to Italy without the 14-day quarantine restriction upon arrival. But which countries are part of the Schengen Area? Besides Italy, it includes the following EU nations: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the Czech Republic. Non-EU States that have signed the Schengen Agreement are: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway
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and Switzerland. Italy has also allowed travel to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Andorra, Monaco, the Republic of San Marino and Vatican City State. According to the guidelines from Italy’s Foreign Minister, “from June 3, if you are traveling to Italy from the Schengen area, you will no longer be required to self-isolate for 14 days unless you stayed in another country prior to traveling to Italy. Travelers from countries which do not belong to the Schengen area, such as the United States, will be allowed to enter Italy only for essential travel (proven work, urgent health needs or to return to your residence in Italy) and will still be required to self-isolate for 14 days under the supervision of Italian health authorities, either at home or a facility designated by the Regional Civil Protection.” For those travelers required to enter mandatory selfisolation upon arrival in Italy, the Foreign Minister advises the following: • You are only allowed to reach the address where you have chosen to self-isolate, by the shortest possible route and without using any means of public transport other than the means used to travel to Italy (for example, if you fly into Fiumicino "Italian News" cont’d on Page 9
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"Italian News" cont’d from Page 8
Airport you are not allowed enthusiastic about the ability to to catch a train into Rome or travel from region to region to meet for any other destination). relatives and friends, the end of the travel ban has been criticized by • If you are on a short stopover other European countries. Due to between flights and do not concern about the contagion level of leave the airport, you are some regions of Italy, many European free to board a connecting countries, such as Austria and Greece, flight to any other domestic plan to keep their borders closed or international destination. to Italians. These restrictions will likely last through June 15 at the • You may rent a car (with or earliest, after which many plan to without a driver) or use a taxi. impose new restrictions and checks. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe • If you are traveling to Italy Conte said these travel restrictions from abroad for proven work, against Italy are “discriminatory and urgent or health reasons, you totally unacceptable,” and the Italian may delay the start of self- government is currently trying to isolation for 72 hours (or, in negotiate these re-openings with these exceptional circumstances, 120 countries. hours in total). The delay must Other European countries continue be justified by the same reasons to maintain strict travel restrictions. In that justified your traveling Germany, France, Greece, Portugal, to Italy in the first place. Denmark and Malta, tourists will not be admitted until June 15th, and Even though many Italians are Spain will keep its doors shut to
tourists until July 1. Nevertheless, negotiations are underway all over Europe about possible early lifting of these travel bans. Last week, the EU’s home affairs commissioner Ylva Johanson told media that “all of the Schengen zone’s internal border controls would be removed by the end of June, although a ban remains in place for non-essential travel coming from outside the bloc until 1 July.” As for travel within Italy, the governors of some southern Italian regions, which have been less affected by the pandemic than those in the north, have expressed concern over the loosening of the travel restrictions. Although Italy continues to see a downward trend of COVID-19 cases, the northern region of Lombardy still has the country’s most infections. As a precautionary measure, Sicily and Sardinia will require tourists to register through their regional government’s websites for tracing purposes during their holiday in the islands.
Navy Moves to Ban Confederate Flags on Bases, Ships, and Public Spaces By Gina Harkins, Military.com
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he Navy’s top admiral is following the Marine Corps’ lead in banning the Confederate battle flag from all public spaces and work areas. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday has directed his staff to begin crafting an order that would prohibit the Confederate battle flag in many areas on bases, ships, aircraft and submarines. “The order is meant to ensure unit cohesion, preserve good order and discipline, and uphold the Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment,” said Cmdr. Nate Christensen, Gilday’s spokesman. The news comes days after the Marine Corps made official its policy to prohibit flags, T-shirts, mugs and other items that feature the Confederate flag.
Commanders are authorized to conduct inspections in some areas -- including schoolhouses, openbay barracks and bathrooms -- for the paraphernalia. Statues and other displays honoring Confederate leaders have been coming down across the country as protests continue after the death of George Floyd, a black man who died last month while in police custody. Demonstrators have flooded cities calling for an end to racism and police brutality. Army officials announced on Monday that top leaders are open to changing long-standing names of installations that honor Confederate leaders. Retired Army Gen. David Petraeus in a Tuesday op-ed for The Atlantic said the move is overdue. “The irony of training at bases
named for those who took up arms against the United States, and for the right to enslave others, is inescapable to anyone paying attention,” Petraeus wrote. “Now, belatedly, is the moment for us to pay such attention.” The Navy has not indicated when an official order banning Confederate items will be complete. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger announced his plans for a policy banning the flag in February, nearly four months before the policy was made official. Berger told Military.com in March that he chose to move ahead with the ban because anything that divides Marines is not good. “We have to think as a unit and how to build a team, a cohesive team,” Berger said.
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NAS Sigonella Military Working Dogs M
ilitary Working Dogs (MWD) play an important role across fleet and at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella. The canines with the MWD unit are vital in protecting the people of the base as they are used to apprehend suspects and to detect explosives and narcotics. The relationship between the MWDs and their handler is very important as both human and canine must learn each other’s personalities and be able to work together in stressful and intense situations. “We train all day, every day,” remarked dog handler Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Evin Brining. “Every place we go is a training opportunity. In order to truly build the MWD’s skills and abilities it requires nothing less than
constant attention and dedication.” On June 9, MWD VVaughan with his handler Brining and MWD Lira with her handler Master-at-Arms Seaman Branden Busby conducted training at the baseball field on NAS 1 base. Dog handler Master-at-Arms Seaman David Whitfield donned the bite suit. The focus of the training was patrol (bite work) and obedience. The handlers started each dog with obedience commands and movements, rewarding VVaughan and Lira with their toys when they performed correctly, and then moved on to patrol portion of the day’s training. The handlers took advantage of the sprinklers being on to test the MWDs abilities to ignore the distraction presented by the water sprinklers while pursuing a suspect.
“One of the things we trained with VVaughan [MWD] was distractions during patrol work,” explained Brining. “We used environmental factors that he does not normally see to test his commitment to pursing a suspect. We had him running downfield to bite the decoy through a running stream of water, progressively getting closer to the water’s source to see if the water or water pressure would affect his drive for the bite.” The MWD unit has specific requirements that must be meet each week and each month to ensure continuous growth not only for the dogs but for the handlers as well. “It’s a never ending cycle,” added Busby. “Every dog team has something they are working on every day.”
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LA CUCARACHA BEACH
Sign-up at Take 5 by May 29th $5 for transportation
For more info call 624-5602
