May 17, 2019
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Interactive Customer Evaluation Comment Regarding NAS I ECP Construction: My question is regarding the NAS I ECP construction project. During construction (or at least during high traffic times), can the annex gate be used as the entrance? In past situations, the annex gate was used as the entrance, with three lanes set up with cones--two for cars and one for school busses. Then the main gate was used as an exit. I am asking because I have been here four years and this has only been done twice. From a driver’s perspective, the system seemed to work really well and I wanted to see if it could be considered as an option. Thank you. Response: Thank you for thinking creatively and proposing an idea for consideration. As you might expect, there are many factors at play when it comes to securing and manning the ECPs, including safety, manpower, and logistics. Please know that every effort is made to consider all options and minimize the inconvenience on the community. The previous traffic configuration you are referring to was during a drill simulating a higher force protection condition. During these heightened security drills, manning was doubled which allowed us to temporarily increase the number of traffic lanes. Due of the length of the NAS I ECP project, doubling the manpower at the Annex gate would not be sustainable. The new traffic pattern has been in action for a couple of weeks now, and our security team has identified the biggest back up times as being between 0720 and 0745. So, if your schedule permits it, I would encourage all incoming personnel to try avoid arriving during that window to lessen your wait time. I understand that this is frustrating now, but traffic volume will lessen once
the school year ends in mid-June. Thank you for your continuing patience during this construction project to make Sigonella safer and better. For future suggestions or concerns, please contact the Security Officer, LCDR Richmond, at DSN 624-6392. Comments Regarding NAS I ECP Construction: There have been mixed reviews regarding the handling of the recent NAS I gate changes while the main ECP is being worked on. Some have praised the Security department for minimizing delays, and others have suggested that changes be made to the annex gate to allow for smoother passage. Please allow me to address this important topic. Response: Thank you to those who have taken the time to complement our hardworking Security department. It is sometimes a thankless job, and I definitely agree that our Masters-at Arms and Auxiliary Security Force personnel are doing an excellent job processing vehicular traffic in a safe and courteous manner. In response to suggestions received to move barriers at the annex gate and/or to repave the surfacing of the annex gate roads, I’d like to take a minute to explain why the current setup is necessary. Part of fully securing any ECP includes setting up serpentine traffic patterns with barriers. The current annex gate setup is a critical part of our effort to maintain an effective security posture. Unfortunately, as a U.S. military installation overseas, we are always a potential target for groups and individuals that wish our country harm. The serpentine traffic pattern helps prevent bad actors from simply running through the gate and driving "ICE" cont’d on Page 11
THE SIGNATURE
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 Janine Scianna janine.scianna@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 GMSN Rashond Grant rashond.grant@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.
