Check us out online!
Vol. 27 No. 38
cnic.navy.mil/sigonella
facebook.com/nassigonella
October 22, 2010
youtube.com/sigonellavids
NAS Sigonella celebrates Navy’s 235th birthday Article and photos by MCSA Cameron Bramham The Signature Staff Sailors and friends gathered Oct. 16, 2010 at Villa Ingrid in Santa Venerina, Sicily for the celebration of the United States Navy's 235th Birthday and the Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Navy Ball. “The whole point of the Navy Ball is to refresh our thoughts on the United States Navy,” said Navy Ball Chairman and NAS Sigonella Air Traffic Control Officer Lt. Bryce Klaput. "We had tremendous help from people on base, like Lt. Vapor who coordinated the event, my Vice Chairman ABE2 Leah Galiano, and Greg and Heather Cupp." Algese was also a major donator. The ceremony began with the presentation of the colors by National Junior ROTC members, followed by the singing of the Italian and American National Anthems a prayer of blessing by Chaplain Stephen Coates. Next, the announcement of
NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer, Capt. Scott Butler was made. Capt. Butler took a few moments and laughs to welcome and thank everyone for coming out before introducing distinguished guest speaker Commanding Officer of U.S. 6th Fleet and Striking and Support Forces NATO in Naples, Italy, Vice Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. Harris spoke about the rich history and traditions of the Navy and briefly touched on the importance of the Navy at this point in history. “Across the Navy right now, our carriers are striking targets deep in Afghanistan, and cruisers and destroyers are patrolling waters against pirates; and our combatants stand ready to defend against ballistic missile attacks here in the Mediterranean while off the east and west coasts of Africa building partnerships and addressing the threats caused by thieves, pirates, and terrorists," Harris said. "Our submarines are out and about under the sea doing
Chock Full o’ Nuts opens on NAS II
important, essential intelligence work and maintaining a stealthy, reliable source of tracking power for our nation. Our Orion P-3’s are going from hunting submarines to hunting terrorists and back again, our SEALS have been operating at an un-relenting pace, our Seabee’s are building everything from forward operating bases to schools and hospitals and our EOD teams are literally the stuff of legend.” “All of these things are just a small example of what our Navy and our heroes are doing. Our Navy is an everything force; it always has been,” Harris added. “Our Navy is where it needs to be or where our nation needs it all the time; our Navy is forward deployed providing forces capable of a range of options to conduct a broad array of missions, [and] together with our allies, we are making the world a better place.” BIRTHDAY, continued on page 13
Military Working Dog Division trains with Italians Article and photo by MCSA Cameron Bramham The Signature Staff The Military Working Dog (MWD) Division of Naval Air Station Sigonella’s Security Department joined the Italian Polizia, Carabinieri and Italian customs on Oct. 13 to participate in joint task force training in drug, explosives and patrol tactics at a new training facility in Catania, Sicily. The MWD Division, which is the largest of its kind in the Mediterranean, brought six of their dog teams to the newly opened local Polizia, K-9 and mounted police headquarters in Catania to work with some of the Italian Police Force's dog units. The Italian Police Force also brought in a professional dog handler for the training to work with the MWD, continued on page 12
Illustration by MC2 Gary Prill, NPASE East
NAS Commanding Officer, Capt. Scott Butler, leads a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of Chock Full o’ Nuts, a New York-style cafe that opened on NAS II near the air terminal. This is the first Chock Full o’ Nuts cafe opened outside of the United States, and has been in the works for over a year. Harold Laird, NEX Services Operations Manager said, “We wanted to provide the community an additional taste of home.” The cafe is open Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Top Stories
Weather update
Oct. 22 H: 70 L: 54
Why is the flu vaccine so important? Why should you care about it? Find out the reasons why the flu vaccine is so important.
Inside
PAGE 2 Direct Line 2
Oct. 23 H: 72 L: 54
Oct. 24 H: 72 L: 62
Week 1 Total pledge card donors: 47 Total donations: $11,043 Unit of the week: Naval Munitions Command $2,498
The MWD Division of NAS Sigonella recently trained with the Italian Polizia, Carabinieri and Italian customs. Training with Italian counterparts helps both divisions learn new techniques.
Week 2 Total pledge card donors: 103 Total donations: $19,793 Unit of the week: Naval Hospital $4,520
Traffic Numbers
To date total (including E-Giving): Total Donors: 152 Total Donations: $31,536
Oct. 25 H: 71 L: 59
The NAS Sigonella IT Department and region wide has made some changes that the community should be aware of. Meet the newest Director of IT, or the base N6.
A new underwater archeological dive site just opened for the blind in Aciterreza.
PAGE 3
PAGE 6
Navy News 3
NAS Sigonella’s eldest Sailor, Cmdr. Susan Ulloa and youngest Sailor, HNSN Karla Bravo help Commanding Officer, Capt. Scott Butler cut the ceremonial cake at the 2010 Navy Ball, held on Oct. 16 at Villa Ingrid in Santa Venerina. The tradition of the youngest and oldest Sailor cutting the cake is used to bring Sailors together and show that they are all a part of the same team.
Community Calendar 4
Oct. 26 H: 73 L: 56
Oct. 27 H: 73 L: 55
Halloween on NAS Sigonella is coming! Check out the MWR events you can be a part of next weekend.
PAGE 11 MWR Corner 11
Oct. 28 H: 71 L: 54 Some youth on NAS Sigonella recently competed in an all-Italy baseball tournament and walked away champions.
PAGE 13 Il Mercato 14
Jan. 10-
Jan. 09-
Oct. 10
Oct. 09
Accidents Injuries
218 26
DUIs
9
Traffic Deaths
0
186 24 6
0
Please, don’t become a statistic!