The Signature
2
Direct Line
NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer, Capt. Kevin Pickard
here at Sigonella flying the MH53E as a member of the Black Stallions of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Four during my first operational tour from 1999-2002. Of all of the places that I have been stationed, Sicily is at the top of the list. I can honestly say that I, and my family, are incredibly excited and honored to be back in Italy as a part of the Sigonella family. So as your new commanding officer, you may ask yourself, what are Capt. Pickard’s expectations? A nautical metaphor may help illustrate my philosophy: constant process improvement. One of my “Every day, favorite tours was as a Navigator make small, aboard an aircraft carrier. On incremental, the bridge of a ship, just a few and positive degrees of rudder change can changes. Strive make huge differences in course to do something and can shift the direction of the vessel either toward open better. ” water or toward shoals. This is very similar to my expectation every day to make Naval Air of you. Every day, make small, Station Sigonella so successful. incremental and positive I am extremely impressed changes. Strive to do something and honored to be part of this better…improve the quality of incredible operational team. life for your Sailors and their So many of you may also be families, streamline a process wondering about the new guy. Well, I am a helicopter pilot and in your workcenter, find an have been fortunate enough to be efficiency, make an effort to stationed in a ton of great places: engage with your direct report or your boss. The options are Pensacola, San Diego, Norfolk, Boston, Guam, Washington DC, endless, but the name of the game is process improvement. etc. In fact, I was even stationed If you make even a few degrees Buongiorno Sigonella! Wow! Has it already been almost six weeks since the change of command? I can honestly say that the first month and half has been a non-stop whirlwind of meetings, tours, and discussions. But that is a good thing. It is always the highlight of my day to get out around the installation, to meet and talk with as many of you as possible, and have the opportunity to see where you work and what you do. It is easy to see the amount of hard work and dedication each one of you puts forth
of improvement every day, over the course of time, your efforts will steer us toward open water away from the shoals and positively impact the base in a very meaningful way. As a direct result of your hard work, we have earned the reputation as one of the most critical operational nodes in Europe. My charge to you is to always remember that we are the strategic “Hub of the Med.” We are indispensable to our nation’s mission throughout Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia. Thanks for all that you do and thank you all for the gracious welcome. I look forward to meeting with you and hearing from you. See you around Sig! Ci vediamo!
