In the Spotlight

By MC2 Josh Coté, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

Name: Aldrin Navarrete

Command: NAS Sigonella

Department: Emergency Management

The Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Emergency Operations Center (EOC) plays an important role in keeping service members and their families safe here. The EOC is prepared for any number of disasters and contingency operations that could happen while stationed here in Sigonella.

At the EOC, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) (ABH) 2nd Class Aldrin Navarrete from San Diego, stands out for the hard work he has been putting in.

Navarrete has already been made the Department Leading Petty Officer, a position usually reserved for first class petty officers.

“Petty Officer Navarrete is a rock star,” said Emergency Management Leading Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) David Hooker. “In the absence of senior leadership in the emergency management department, Navarette stepped up as the departmental lead petty officer to lead through the COVID-19 mitigation, vaccine deliveries, and the emergency operations center.”

As an ABH, Navarrete does different work on shore duty than he is used to at sea. Aboard ships, ABHs are charged with directing and parking aircraft as well as the daunting task of connecting them to the aircraft carrier catapults which launch them into flight.

Here at NAS Sigonella, Navarrete starts his day by finalizing the list of people requesting access to base; which he then coordinates with the base executive officer to get those people the approval they need.

In the EOC, though, Navarrete must be prepared for anything.

“My favorite part about my job is helping people,” said Navarrete. “We get activated on a weekly basis here. We are actually activated right now. We coordinate with the Incident Management Team to help people that live out in the economy if something happens. When we have heavy volcanic ash fall in the towns up on the mountain, we need to find out if those people living out there need our help with getting food, water or other needs.”

Along with keeping up with his daily work routine, Navarrete also holds a number of collateral duties. He is the building manager for his department, admin coordinator, and the department training coordinator.

People join the military different reasons, some to get out of their hometown or to serve their country, but for others it can be more than that.

“I joined the Navy at first get my American citizenship. It is easier to do through the military,” said Navarrete. “Also I like to travel. I did a lot of traveling when I first joined the Navy. “

Navarrete joined the Navy not too long after moving to San Diego. He chose the Navy over the other branches of the military due to a family history of also being in the Navy. He has been in for about eight years, and has since acquired his citizenship. Prior to coming to Sigonella, he was stationed aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) and the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

When it comes to be stationed here in sunny Sigonella, people find enjoyment in many different ways but for Navarette, it’s the Sicilian pistachios that light him up.

“My favorite part about Sicily is anything pistachio,” said Navarrete. “They use it on everything: pasta, pizza, cheese, and any type of cold cuts with pistachio, I get that. I knew what pistachios were, but I did not know anything about it being a cream in pasta or a topping on pizza. America needs to catch up on this!”