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Vol. 27 No. 34
September 24, 2010
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Sigonella pins new Chiefs Article and photos by MC2 Gary Prill NPASE East Sixteen chief selectees received their gold-fouled anchors during the fiscal year 2011 pinning ceremony held on Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, Sept. 16. The chiefs’ pinning ceremony is a time-honored tradition to welcome new chief petty officers to the chief’s mess. The ceremony, which many former and current chiefs have claimed to be the best day of their Navy lives, followed a five-week indoctrination process where the new chiefs learned what it means to be a chief, their new responsibilities to the Navy and their Sailors, and also the history and traditions of the chief’s mess. The ceremony began with the chief selects marching out in front of a crowd of family, friends, shipmates and mentors. Each selectee added to the chorus of the “Sailors Creed” as they filled the auditorium. Once the selectees took their
places, the NAS Sigonella color guard performed a parading of the colors. Thea Burke and retired Chief Aviation Storekeeper Freddie Cole sang both the Italian and United States National Anthems. The ceremony continued with an invocation from Chaplain Stepen Labue and a speech from guest speaker, NAS Sigonella’s Command Master Chief (AW/SW/EXW) Leland Moore. “‘Chief petty officers,’ these words just don’t describe a rank, rating, or pay grade, they describe a very special entity, attitude, and a way of getting things done,” said Moore. “These new chiefs have gained the esteem of their fellow chiefs, and that respect is central to the difficult induction process they have just completed and the future they face as chief petty officers.” Following Command Master Chief Moore’s speech, Chief Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AW/SW) Chris Solis recited the meaning of the “Chiefs Anchors.” Upon completion, each chief was
TODAY, Sept. 24 Event Open: 3 p.m. - Midnight On the Main Stage: 5 p.m.: Market Toss 6 p.m.: Cannoli Hunt 7 p.m.: Olive Roll 7:30 p.m.: Dallas Cagle 8:30 p.m.: Grape Toss 9 p.m.: “Just Fun” Throughout the afternoon: Taste of Sicily: Wine & Food Vendors Bowling Specials Carnival Rides Kids’ Fun Zone & Crafts Inflatables The Navy’s newest chief petty officers march out in front of the crowd of family, friends, shipmates, and mentors after receiving their new anchors and combination covers during a pinning ceremony held in the gymnasium aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella. 17 new chiefs joined the NAS Sigonella Chief Petty Officers mess, including one who is currently serving on a individual augmentee mission.
asked to step forward and have their anchors pinned on by families, friends, sponsors and mentors. After each of the 16 chiefs had received
their
collar
devices
and
new
CHIEFS, continued on page 12
NASSIG, PWD hold ceremonious ribbon cutting Information provided by Public Works Department
The ‘Base Operations Support and Public Works and Base Administration’ building officially opened its doors on Sept. 16 with a ceremonious ribbon cutting. This marked the end of the nearly 15-year recapitalization plan for NAS Sigonella, with around $237 million in facilities investments. In 1996, construction started on the BEQs on NAS I and NAS II. It also brought the Auto Hobby Shop, NEX and Commissary. In 2003, all of the core Photo by MCSA Cameron Bramham, The Signature Staff
Top Stories
Weather update
Sept. 24 H: 81 L: 65
Goodbye is a word that we know all too well in the military. When living overseas, we are far from family members and our old friends. In our tour here, we develop a new extended family within our Sigonella community, on whom we rely for support and comfort.
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Inside
Direct Line 2
Sept. 25 H: 82 L: 67
Sept. 26 H: 85 L: 67
Sept. 27 H: 87 L: 65
As of Oct. 1, the personnel support detachment on Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella and other U.S. Navy installations will no longer provide assistance to service members and their families with the paperwork needed to apply for a tourist passport as well as receiving a passport .
If you like pistachio let me direct you to the Sagra del Pistacchio (Pistachio festival), an amazing annual festival held in the heart of Bronte from Sept. 30 through October 3
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Navy News 3
Autumn Fest Schedule
Sept. 28 H: 84 L: 63
buildings on NAS I, including Midtown, the Chapel, FFSC, Library, Post Office, Officer’s Quarters, and more were constructed, at a value of $64 million. In 2004, construction began on the EDIS building on NAS I, and on NAS II, the PW/NASSIG complex began to take shape. The new building consists of over 13,900 Gross Square Feet (GSF) of shop space, 7,800 GSF of storage, and 4,000 GSF of office space, and will allow the demolition of around 18 buildings. NASSIG Commanding Officer, Capt. Scott Butler, called the new building ‘the jewel of NAS I and NAS II.’ Sept. 29 H: 81 L: 63
Acireale is a large city located on the coast between Catania and Taormina. It boasts beautiful baroque architecture highlighted by the Cattedrale Maria Annunziata.
Community Calendar 4
PAGE 9 MWR Corner 11
Oct. 1 H: 83 L: 66
Have the urge to learn something new, like photography or jewelry making? Then sign up for one of MWR’s leisure classes!
PAGE 11 Il Mercato 14
Saturday, Sept. 25 Event Open: 3 p.m. - Midnight On the Main Stage: 5 p.m.: Oodles of Noodles 5:30 p.m.: Pour Carefully 6 p.m.: Barrel Relay 6:30 p.m.: Olive Seed Spitting 7 p.m.: “Rock N Roll Combo” Italian band 9 p.m.: Orange Pass Relay 9:30 p.m.: Armed Forces Entertainment Jazz Band Throughout the afternoon: Free Swim Taste of Sicily: Wine & Food Vendors Bowling Specials Carnival Rides Kids’ Fun Zone & Crafts Inflatables
AOSC Chili Cookoff 5p.m. 6 p.m. Saturday
See you there! Traffic Numbers Jan. 10-
Jan. 09-
Sept. 10
Sept. 09
Accidents Injuries
218 26
DUIs
9
Traffic Deaths
0
186 24 6
0
Please, don’t become a statistic!