Sigonella Security Forces Achieve CNIC Certification

By Janine Scianna/ NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

Sailors onboard Naval Air Station Sigonella participate in a simulated security emergency as part of an installation security assessment, June 12. NAS Sigonella’s strategic location enables U.S, allied, and partner nation forces to deploy and respond as required to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Josh Coté (Released)

Master-at-Arms 2nd Class John Villielm responds to a simulated security emergency during an installation security assessment onboard Naval Air Station Sigonella June 12.

U.S. Navy photo by GMSN Rashond Grant

Since 2016, Naval Air Station Sigonella’s naval security forces (NSF) have been working toward the final evaluation problem (FEP) that was held June 12, 2019. FEP was the culminating exercise of a three-year certification process by Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC). After many months of training, drilling, and intermediate assessments, CNIC determined that NAS Sigonella’s installation security readiness exceeded their standards.

The FEP was a four-day exercise that CNIC assessors used to spot-check the installation’s administration of its NSF, and it included drills designed to test whether the base can defend itself. The drills included simulated responses to scenarios involving a gate runner, a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, and an active shooter.

The security department cannot defend the installations alone, which is why the evaluation also looked for integration with other emergency responders—emergency dispatch, fire, and medical—along with the support of the community.

The CNIC security assessment process was put in place not long after the shooting death of Masterat-Arms second class Mark Mayo at Naval Station Norfolk, which was determined to be the result of security lapses. That event, coupled with a series of other significant issues across the security enterprise, brought the importance of MA training and certifications to the forefront. As a result, existing security assessment programs previously only used to assess ships were adapted by CNIC to assess NSF programs ashore, too.

“NAS Sigonella’s security forces not only passed the event, but did so with a score of 90%. That puts them at the very top of NSFs worldwide,” praised NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer, Capt. Kevin Pickard. “In all respects, our team excelled and exceeded the evaluators’ expectations.”

Lt. Cdr. Allen Richmond, NAS Sigonella security officer, also praised the hard work of everyone involved.

“Be proud in everything that you do. We demonstrated beyond a reasonable doubt that not only did we know our preplanned responses and standard operating procedures, but we also know how to apply them to defend our seven sites,” said Richmond.