July 24, 2020
Interactive Customer Evaluation Comments Closures:
Regarding
Holiday We look forward to providing you with the
As a member of the Sigonella community since 1987, I have never used or complained about anything that was done at Sigonella. But with the Commissary being closed now on Italian Holidays (too); I feel we veterans and members of service and private contractors are all being wronged! In the last three decades there have been challenges that the Base and Commissary have always overcome. But now, because of covid-19, I feel that the decisions are not warranting the proper resolve. Before covid-19 the Commissary was always open, and only closed during American National Holiday’s and festivals like Thanksgiving, etc. But now, our Commissary employees here at Sigonella are also being allowed to have off more and more Italian holiday’s too. I am now seeing the Commissary being allowed to close for more and more holidays, e.g., American and Italian holidays. How does this benefit the Sigonella community? Now the Commissary is being allowed to be closed twice as much as they were in comparison to previous decades. How does this benefit the Sigonella community, as the Italian stores are also closed on Italian Holiday’s. Maybe we should look at this inconvenience a little bit better, or higher/use American employees only? Response: Thank you for sharing your perspective. The precautions taken due to COVID-19 have created unparalleled challenges for everyone, including us here at NAS Sigonella. Formal Navy policy was to align as closely as possible to host nation policy. Therefore, our policies were directed by higher Navy authority and directly informed by Italian decrees designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 at the local level. Since Italian decree mandated closures of grocery stores during Italian holidays, we followed suit. Additionally, the Sicilian decree required all shops to be closed on Sundays. In response, the commissary added hours on Mondays to continue to serve our community during this crisis. As the decrees have continued to change, so have the hours of the Commissary.
best service we can.
Comments Gym Cleaning Crews:
Since going back to the gym on NAS1 this past week, I have witnessed, on multiple occasions, the cleaning crew in the men’s locker room wearing no masks. It is very concerning that they will be cleaning the building but not wearing a mask to prevent the spread of possible contaminates to what I am assuming is a good portion of the building.
Response:
Thank you for your feedback. Just like all patrons of the gym, the cleaning crew should be wearing masks. If you see someone not following this directive, do not hesitate to report the issue to desk staff. They have the responsibility to ensure that people are wearing appropriate personal protective equipment while inside the gym facilities.
Comments Regarding Stray Cats on Marinai:
We have received multiple comments about residents feeding stray cats in Marinai. This is a friendly reminder that all pets on Marinai should either be kept indoors or within fences. In addition, we remind everyone that it is base policy to not feed stray animals. According to NAS Sigonella’s General Order Number 1, “it is strictly forbidden to feed or encourage the presence of any stray animals aboard any property in the AOR of U.S. Naval Air Station Sigonella, to include but not limited to NAS 1, NAS II, Navy Munitions Compound, Niscemi, and Marinai Housing.” Lastly, violating this order may result in administrative or punitive action.
Bravo Zulu
BZ to PSD:
Everything was great. A special thanks to Mr. Reinaldo for his great attitude and assistance in helping us out today.
BZ to the NEX:
Anna is such a wonderful person. She is professional, so helpful and always puts you "BZ" cont’d on page 11
3 Cover photo is a digital illustration with image of Polish Military Contingent aboard NAS Sigonella added.
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 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@eu.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.
