Direct Line

Cmdr. Patrick J. Moran, NAS Sigonella Executive Officer

Buongiorno Sigonella. It has been quite some time since the last Direct Line, and so much has transpired since then. The current COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent response measures taken not only here in Italy and back in the United States, but across the globe, is absolutely unprecedented in our lifetimes. The challenges faced and the sacrifices made by so very many everywhere are great, and are still becoming known as each individual, family, and community world-wide responds to the pandemic according to myriad specific needs that vary from place to place, family to family, and person to person. With that, I am utterly confident that we will ultimately overcome this adversity as a military community here in Sigonella, as a nation, and as a world.

As the number of new positive COVID-19 cases decline in Italy and Sicily, the national and regional governments have started to implement the next phase of response in which we see the gradual easing of restrictions. Authorities no longer require a self-declaration form to travel within our region of Sicily, and it is again permitted to travel to the many wonderful sites and beautiful locales which Sicily is famous for. I know many took the opportunity this past weekend to enjoy the sunshine at local beaches, hike trails on Mount Etna, or taste amazing wine at local vineyards. We are all glad to see that some semblance of normalcy is beginning to return to our NASSIG community.

As we cross the threshold of summer, I encourage all of you to take this time to explore the incredible sights and historical artifacts that Sicily has to offer. This current time has one advantage in that we may never get a chance like this again where the beaches, trails, and ancient sites are missing the usual throngs of European tourists.

I would like to give you a number of local ideas for outdoor activities, all of which help maximize social distancing. Inland, you can visit and hike the ravines of Cavagrande, which have beautiful green natural swimming pools at the bottom. Mount Etna is crisscrossed with hiking trails of all levels of difficulty. The beaches near Noto, such as Calamosche or San Lorenzo, offer beautiful getaways just over an hour away and highlight the sun and the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. About two hours away, near the city of Agrigento, lies the ancient Greek city of Akagras, where you can find a collection of some of the world’s best preserved Greek and Roman structures in the Valley of the Temples. Not far from that, you can enjoy the Turkish Stairs, an impressive natural formation spilling into the crystal blue sea. There is so much natural beauty to explore in Sicily and a list may seem endless.

While this is an incredible and unique opportunity to explore, I ask that you balance the opportunity with the safety of you and your family, as well as the NAS Sigonella community. First and foremost, while restrictions are easing, COVID-19 still remains a very real threat. I ask that you continue to abide by all of the proven techniques necessary to keep us all safe: proper hygiene, social distancing, and continuing to wear masks in public spaces when social distancing is not practical or possible.

COVID-19, however, is not the only threat out there. Sicily is also steeped in World War II history. Around the island, you can find cement pillboxes and other structures of that time dotting the landscape. Many of the popular tourist locales people visit each year were once the scene of intense military operations. With that history, there persists still today another very real threat, as much of the island remains littered with unexploded ordnance.

If you happen to be outside exploring and come across any unexploded ordnance, do NOT pick it up. Instead, carefully back away, mark the location with a pin on GPS, and IMMEDIATELY inform the authorities. Call base dispatch and inform them, so the security liaisons can contact the proper Italian authorities. Do NOT, under any circumstances, remove and transport suspected or confirmed unexploded ordnance. More than once in the past year, some from the Sigonella community, while having good intentions, have carelessly handled unexploded ordnance, resulting in danger to not only to themselves, but also to their families, the Sigonella community, and other innocent bystanders.

That said, please continue to care for each other and continue to take the necessary steps to keep yourself and our community safe.