September 24, 2021
Vol. 38 No. 16
OPERATION ALLIES WELCOME SPECIAL EDITION
2
The Signature
Preparing For
September 24, 2021
The Arrivals
3
THE SIGNATURE U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA
Commanding Officer Capt. Kevin Pickard Executive Officer Cmdr. Ronald Cappellini Command Master Chief CMDCM Anna Wood EDITORIAL Public Affairs Officer Lt. Drake Greer drake.greer@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 MCSN 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.
The Signature
4
NAS Sigonella Supports Operation Allies Welcome By NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
total of 662 qualified evacuees from A Afghanistan landed at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella on Aug. 22 as part of Operation
Allies Welcome. The initial group of evacuees arrived on a U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender from Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar with two C-17 Globemaster III afterwards. Operation Allies Welcome is the U.S. Department of State’s mission for the safe evacuation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigration Visa applicants and other atrisk Afghans as quickly and safely as possible. Working in partnership with its allies in the Italian Air Force and Italian government, NAS Sigonella is serving as a transit location for evacuees before their onward movement to other locations. “I could not be prouder of every single one of you,” said Capt. Kevin Pickard, commanding officer of NAS Sigonella, to a gathering of personnel from the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy and State Department at a captain’s call before the first aircraft landed. “To see how this base is able to pull in support, all across Italy, is truly impressive. The people we’re helping are going to be joining our American family. We’re proud to welcome them with open arms.” NAS Sigonella is employing health protection standards in accordance with both Department
of Defense and Italian government guidance to protect the health of the evacuees, service members, U.S. and local national employees and the community at large. COVID-19 mitigation is at the forefront of all health protection efforts, and all evacuees will be tested for COVID-19. In addition, medical care has been set up to assess and provide assistance for anyone with injuries or other medical concerns. NAS Sigonella personnel have designated two barracks buildings as temporary lodging on base for evacuees, along with Halal dining, religious and recreation areas. “This is a short-notice mission that is a national priority for NAS Sigonella and team,” said Rear Adm. Scott Gray, Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central. “They have moved heaven and earth to be ready to take care of folks leaving a desperate situation and are treating them with dignity and respect. They didn’t just complete the mission. They went above and beyond to help the Afghan people to the best of their abilities and with hearts full of empathy.” Known as the “Hub of the Med”, NAS Sigonella’s strategic location as the Navy’s only overseas air station enables U.S, allied, and partner nation forces to deploy and respond as required to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa, and Central Command.
September 24, 2021
5
6
The Signature
September 24, 2021
7
The Helpers Are Here
By Megan Mills, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
ister Rogers said to look for the helpers in the face M of difficulty, and here on board Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, they are everywhere.
Within minutes of NAS Sigonella announcing the imminent arrival of evacuees from Afghanistan, the offers of assistance came rolling in from community members near and far. In Facebook groups, people began discussing what items might be useful and how best to get them to those in need. Some offered guidance on how to ensure donations respected the religious and cultural customs of the travelers. Others went to work thinking of ways to comfort the youngest arrivals. The first plane arrived the evening of Aug. 22, and disembarking children were greeted with stuffed animals, bringing smiles to their weary faces. When Ashley Martin learned that there weren’t enough toys to greet the children arriving later that night, she jumped into action. Within two hours, she and others gathered so many donations that she took three trips to drive them all to the NAS Sigonella Chapel. “Our community answered the call instantly,” said Martin. “So many people came in their pajamas to drop off bags full of stuffed animals, toys, and clothes that were all previously loved by their own children. We all knew it was a call to a greater good.” The outpouring of support has continued as more evacuees landed at NAS Sigonella. The religious ministries department, along with the Navy-Marine Corp Relief Society (NMCRS) and the United Service Organizations (USO), have been overwhelmed by the amount of diapers, clothing, toys, cell phone chargers, baby formula, and other high-need items that have been contributed. “The community has been incredibly generous,” said Heather Hebert, director of NMCRS. “Despite the ever changing situation, we have received an abundance of all the items requested for evacuees, as well as support from all the volunteers who have shown up to collect, sort, and deliver the donations where they are needed most.” USO volunteers have also been among those greeting evacuees from Afghanistan with food, hygiene items, toys, bubbles,
clothes, and shoes, as well as serving meals and providing assistance where needed. “Volunteers have been working tirelessly around the clock to warmly welcome and help the evacuees while also providing much appreciated support to the service members,” said Lt. Ryan Albano, a chaplain onboard NAS Sigonella. While many of the volunteers are civilians, spouses, and dependents, service members have also volunteered their time. “The Patrol Squadron 40 detachment was the first on site and pulled together a massive amount of volunteers in short order when we needed it most,” added Albano. “I haven’t seen anything like it since I was in Iraq.” Members of the local Italian community have also reached out to offer assistance, including many local businesses and organizations. Payton Leigh Perez and Grace Lopez went to a local baby supply store to buy supplies to donate using money given to them by family and friends. “Upon hearing what we were making the purchases for, the store manager wanted to help,” said Perez. “On behalf of his store, he made an additional donation of 50 packages of wipes, several cases of formula, and four large boxes of diapers.” In addition to supporting the evacuees, the Sigonella community has also banded together to support the service members who are now working extra shifts and long hours in support of Operation Allies Welcome. The USO coordinated a meal train to provide home-cooked meals, snacks, and drinks throughout the day and night, and many people offered to babysit, dog-sit, and even do laundry for anyone who needed it. “Whenever a call to help comes in, U.S. service members and their family members show why they are considered America’s best,” said Albano. “Everywhere you look, you are just as likely to see a service member in uniform or a civilian volunteer. Our volunteers are virtually everywhere, and we are the better for it.”
8
The Signature
It Takes a Team to
September 24, 2021
Run an Operation...
9
10
The Signature
September 24, 2021
11
12
The Signature
NMRTCs Sigonella and Naples Surge Medical Assets to Support Afghan Personnel By Tia Nichole McMillen, Naval Medical Forces Atlantic
female evacuee steps inside the canvas flap of A the large green tent on Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella. Her vitals are taken, and she is immediately
given an IV for dehydration. A hospital corpsman takes her young son’s pulse while medical care is provided. More than 660 evacuees from Afghanistan arrived to NAS Sigonella, a transit location, Aug. 22. Their first stop? Medical. U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (US NMRTC) Sigonella stood up three large medical and dental tents, providing routine, acute, and emergent care to Afghan evacuees. US NMRTC Naples, a 40-minute flight away, surged support to NAS Sigonella and provided 28 active-duty personnel, who brought medical supplies and foldable beds. Currently, eight members from NMRTC Naples are providing critical on-site planning support, and NMRTCs Quantico, Cherry Point, and Patuxent River also deployed assets in support of the operation. “It is an honor and a privilege to provide care to evacuees,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Denise Gechas, commanding officer, US NMRTC Sigonella. “I am so
proud of our medical team for providing immediate onsite care in a safe, professional manner.” Hospital Corpsman First Class Casey Steele, an independent duty corpsman, is also proud of the work being done here. “This is exactly what we train for. But it’s one thing to train--it’s another to be part of something bigger than yourself. I served alongside many allies during my multiple deployments to the CENTCOM region from 2010 to 2018. They are my friends. They are our friends, and I feel immense pride to be able to help them in their transition. I just wish I could do more,” Steele said. Steele also shared a note given to him by an Afghan patient. “From my team to all of you from the United States of America, thank you very much for helping us in this critical situation and saving our lives. The people of Afghanistan have never forgotten this friendship and cooperation,” it read. So far, an estimated 123,00 people have evacuated from Afghanistan, and US NMRTC members from around Europe expect to provide care for all who need it.
September 24, 2021
13
14
The Signature
September 24, 2021
15
U.S. Flights Take Afghan Evacuees from Italy to the United States By Joint U.S. Embassy Rome-Naval Air Station Sigonella
E
vacuees from Afghanistan departed Naval Air Station Sigonella Aug. 28 en route to the United States. The U.S.-bound planes took off at full capacity carrying American citizens and vulnerable Afghans to Philadelphia and Dulles Airport as part of Operation Allies Welcome. “The United States has successfully evacuated and facilitated the evacuation of over 100,000 people and their families on U.S. military and coalition flights. The departure of planes bound for the United States is the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of American citizens and Afghans who have undergone much hardship,” said Thomas Smitham, Chargé d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy Rome. “It is a testament to our brave U.S. service members, our civilian and military cooperation, and to the strength of our partnership with the Italian government.” Operation Allies Welcome is the U.S. Department of State’s mission for the evacuation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigration Visa applicants, and other vulnerable populations from Afghanistan as quickly and safely as possible. Working in partnership with allies in the Italian Air Force and Italian government, NAS Sigonella is serving as a transit location for evacuees before their onward travel to the United States and other locations. “I could not be more proud of the Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians, U.S. government officials, and our civilian staff here that have worked tirelessly and continuously to ensure we provide a safe haven for these vulnerable people,” said NAS Sigonella Command Master Chief Anna Wood. “This has been a herculean effort that we have implemented with the Department of State and other U.S. government agencies, working together to assist and facilitate the transit of American citizens and at-risk Afghans to the United States. This first flight of evacuees leaving Italy for the United States is a testament to everything we’ve done and how much more we have to do. We will accomplish this mission, and we will do it together.” Department of State officers and their local staffs, together with military service members, have worked to provide round-the-clock
assistance since the evacuation mission began August 22. “I am honored and humbled to be able to serve alongside so many dedicated men and women representing multiple government agencies,” said Kim Krhounek, Minister Counselor for Political Affairs at U.S. Embassy Rome and leader of interagency coordination at Sigonella. “We are doing everything we can to help vulnerable Americans and Afghans in desperate need of assistance. Our goal is to receive them, support them and their families, and lead the coordination with interagency colleagues to ensure they can get to their destinations as quickly as possible.” The team at NAS Sigonella has also worked nonstop to prepare for and care for evacuees as part of the ongoing airlift effort throughout the U.S. Central Command and U.S. European Command theaters. NAS Sigonella personnel have designated two barracks buildings and other temporary lodging on base for evacuees. Each lodging is provided halal dining, religious and recreation areas. In addition, medical care is provided to assess and assist those with injuries or other medical concerns. A local imam has made daily visits to aid the evacuees with religious and spiritual support. Local community members and dependents of the U.S. forces assigned to NAS Sigonella continued to volunteer and donate. The response has been so overwhelming that every one of the hundreds of children who arrived at NAS Sigonella has received a stuffed toy to welcome them, with clothing and other needs provided to everyone. In addition to the airlift operation conducted by the U.S. Air Force’s Air Mobility Command, the U.S. Navy has provided additional critical evacuee support by utilizing four C-40A Clippers, from Fleet Logistics Support Wing, based at Joint Base Fort Worth. Known as the “Hub of the Med,” NAS Sigonella’s strategic location as the Navy’s only overseas air station enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to deploy and respond as required to ensure security and stability in Europe and Africa.
Photographers: Sgt. William Chockey MC2 Anthony Collier HM1 Nathaniel Corpuz MC2 Josh Cote MC2 Claire DuBois MCC Ben Farone MC2 Delaney Jensen MC1 Kegan Kay MC2 Erika Kugler MCSN Triniti Lersch MC2 Kaila Peters MC2 Andrea Rumple MC1 Caine Storino MC1 Daniel Young MC2 Eric Zeak Mr. Joe Yanik Special thanks to: Capt. James Mercure MCC Blake Midnight
