Vol. 28 No. 42
November 4, 2011
http://www.cnic.navy.mil/sigonella
Wegman departs the pattern
Over 300 students and their teachers from Naval Air Station Sigonella's Department of Defense Dependent School participate in a 'Story Book Parade' around the base here, Oct. 28. The students were encouraged by their teachers to dress up as their favorite character from a book of their choice.
Outgoing ETD OIC, CDR Andy Wegman (right), shakes hands with incoming OIC, CDR Scott Needle (left), before going flying in Catbird.
DoDDS Sigonella students hold Story Book Parade By MCSA Brian Glunt
By Lt. Cmdr. Charlie White ETD Operations Officer
On Nov. 1, Cmdr. Andy Wegman relinquished his duties as Officer In Charge, Executive Transport Detachment (ETD), Sigonella, after more than two years at the helm. The change of charge marks not only Wegman’s departure from Sigonella, but also the end of his 22-year Navy career. During Cmdr. Wegman’s tenure as OIC, ETD flew more than 300,000 air miles in direct support of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/U.S. Naval Forces Africa/Allied Joint Force Command, Naples. Throughout the vast and challenging Area Of Responsibility(AOR)—which covers all of Europe and Russia, most of the African continent, and spans the North Pole to Antarctica—ETD enabled crucial engagement and bi-lateral talks between the commander and 14 foreign heads of state, 17 civilian ministers of defense, 23 military chiefs of defense, and 18 chiefs of naval operations. In the process, ETD reached 52 years of “Catbird” service in Sigonella. As OIC, Cmdr. Wegman establi-
shed a pattern of success and innovation at ETD. Under his leadership, the detachment received recognition for exceptional achievement from both military and civilian organizations. ETD earned the 2009 Fleet Logistics Support Wing award for Maintenance Excellence, and in 2010 was one of only seven U.S. Navy organizations to win the Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility. Cmdr. Wegman officially retires from active duty on Feb. 1, 2012. He is a 1990 graduate of Aviation Officer Candidate School, and was designated a Naval Aviator in October 1991. He departs the Naval service having flown nearly 4000 hours in six different military aircraft, qualified as a NATOPS Instructor Pilot in two aircraft, twice served on flag executive staff, served at seven CONUS and OCONUS duty stations, conducted operations in every geographic Combatant Command AOR, while raising three sons. His relief is Cmdr. Scott V. Needle, whose previous tour was as Commanding Officer, Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Alameda, California.
NPASE
Approximately 300 students from Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella’s Department of Defense Dependant School (DoDDS) participated in a Story Book Parade here, Oct. 28. The students were encouraged by their teachers to read a book of their choice and dress as their favorite character from that book to be displayed in the parade around the base. “The school wanted to do something to celebrate the holiday event here with Halloween coming up, but at the same time tie it to a learning
Sigonella’s newest chaplain
Celebrating Autumn
Chaplain Cauble is the newest face out of NAS Sigonella’s Religious Ministries Department. Get to know him in this month’s Chaplain’s Corner.
MWR Sigonella held their annual Autumnfest event this past weekend. Check out some photos from the two-day event.
Page 2
Page 8
activity,” said Barry Tanner, DoDDS Sigonella’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) treasurer. “By having the Story Book Parade, we can tie the ‘dressing up in costumes’ to a learning activity that they are doing here in the school.” The teachers joined their students in the events by also dressing up and parading around the base as their favorite character while sporting the books they have read. “This is a great event. Every year the kids have been very excited about it,” said Tanner. “My daughter has been planning her costume for at least a month.”
The DoDDS PTO has helped sponsor many of the school’s events, like the Story Book Parade, by using their website and Facebook page to get the word out to the parents. “I dressed up as the sister from ‘The Glunk That Got a Thunk,’” said Kathryn Barto, a second grader in the parade. “It’s a really good book and there’s a lot of fun stuff in it. Reading is one of my favorite hobbies. I have plenty of favorite hobbies, but reading is one of my top ones.” For more information on DoDDS Sigonella, visit their website at www.eu.dodea.edu.
Come out to the craft fair tomorrow MWR is holding their annual holiday craft fair tomorrow in the Midtown Complex. Get more details!
Page 11
Scan for direct links to NAS Sigonella
PAge 2
November 4, 2011
Direct Line NAS SigoNellA CommANd mASter Chief, dAvid grAhAm Buongiorno Sigonellans, Let me begin by telling you all how pleased I was to see the continued camaraderie between all of the forces to include our civilian counterparts. This weekend marked the end to OPERATION UNIFIED PROTECTOR coupled with the hosting of Autumn festival which is easily one of the busiest times for the base. An event the size of Autumnfest requires the dedication on the part of many people and it is not an easy task to coordinate. Therefore, you can imagine how impressed I was to see so many of our community members volunteering their time and efforts during Autumnfest. This willingness to share your valuable time ensured that this event was a success and enabled NAS Sigonella to continue building ties with the local national community as they experienced our culture firsthand. A huge Bravo Zulu to everyone involved! As previously stated, OPERATION UNIFIED PROTECTOR officially ended on October 31, 2011. The operational tempo has been incredibly challenging for all of us, but due
in large part to your perseverance and dedication, NAS Sigonella has once again established why we are a necessity. Let us continue to maintain the dedication our Sailors and Civilians have displayed during this operation and continue to set the bar of excellence high as our Coalition brethren begin their departures. I would also like to take this moment to remind everyone that even as the operation ends, we still need to stay focused on our safety and ensure that there are no injures during this final transition. In closing, the holidays are quickly approaching and that means it is time for our ritual Safety Stand Down. Safety Stand Down sessions will be conducted on the 15th -18th of November in the base theater, and will address topics that historically have had the greatest impact on our troops: Winter Recreation, Emergency Management, Fire Prevention, Suicide Prevention and Traffic Safety. This is important information so please ensure that all of you attend. Thank you all for your continued dedication.
NAS Sigonella conducts Practical Emergency Preparedness Training By MCSA Brian Glunt NPASE
The Signature
SIGONELLA, Sicily – Service members and their families stationed at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella attended practical emergency preparedness training here, Oct. 24-26, in the base’s movie theater. J.G. Somavilla, NAS Sigonella’s emergency management officer, instructed the training to inform personnel stationed here and their families about what to do in case of an emergency situation. “Some crises are measured in hours, others are measured in days,” said Somavilla. “If we were to have an earthquake, it would tie up the whole community. It would take everyone from active duty to family members to make sure that we could respond as a community.” The training covered what risks and hazards are likely to occur here on the island of Sicily, how to respond to them and what might be required of family members living here.
“Active duty personnel are required to take this training online, but that doesn’t do any good for the family,” said Somavilla. “The information that we put out is tailored to the family. It provides the specifics that they need to know based on what our community has available to it.” The training also covered options on how family members could volunteer at shelters during an emergency situation. For more information on NAS Sigonella, visit NAS Sigonella’s website at www.cnic.navy.mil/sigonella.
Getting to know you... Submitted by NAS Sigonella’s Religious Ministries Department
Who are you? Chaplain Scott Cauble. I arrived on September 28th with my wife, Nancy, and our four children: Katie, Peter, Virginia, and Seth. Thanks are extended to so many who have made our first month so pleasant with their gifts of hospitality. Hometown? Salisbury, NC is where I call home. I was born and raised there but left home at 20 to serve in the USAF where I spent five years at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, AK. Following my tour of service, I felt called to serve God full-time and re-
Commander U.S. Naval Air Station Sigonella Capt. Scott Butler
Deputy Public Affairs Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta alberto.lunetta.it@eu.navy.mil
Executive Officer Cmdr. Eric Vosler
Writer/Editor Tracie Barnthouse tracie.barnthouse@eu.navy.mil
Command Master Chief CMDCM David Graham
Public Affairs Officer Lt. Tim Page timothy.page@eu.navy.mil
Staff Writers/ Photographers MC1 Christopher Delano MC2 Gary Prill GM2 Kris Carmody MCSN Cameron Bramham MCSA Brian Glunt
ceived biblical training at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL. I was commissioned in September 2003 into the Naval Chaplain Corps and have served with sailors at Destroyer Squadron Six in Pascagoula, MS and with the Marines at both Quantico, VA and Camp Lejeune, NC. What do you do at NAS Sigonella? I am replacing Chaplain Kennedy who, after three years at NASSIG, is leaving us to serve with the SeaBees. It is an honor to work with the fine staff of chaplains, RPs, musicians, layleaders, and civilians assigned to the RMD.
What are your current projects for the Religious Ministries Department? Right now I am learning a lot about my duties and getting to know the people in the command, in the department, and within the community. One of my top current priorities is to re-align the Sunday Worship Service schedule. Beginning with Advent (Nov 27th), we will be providing a wider variety of worship service times and services. In addition to the Roman Catholic Mass led by Father Ubalde and the Contemporary Protestant Worship Service led by Chaplain Labue, I will be leading a CAUBLE, continued on page 12
This civilian enterprise (CE) 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. The appearance of advertisingin this newspaper, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DoD orStampa Generale S.r.l., of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publications hall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex,national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factorof the purchaser, user or patron. A confirmed violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policyby an advertiser will result in the refusal to print advertising from that source until the violationis corrected. The Signature is published weekly by Stampa Generale S.r.l., Sig. Bruno Brandi, Publisher, Naval Support Activity, Capodichino (Naples), Italy Tel. 081-568-7884, Fax 081-568-7887. E-mail: stampagenerale@tin.it. 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, guard mail stop #68 or hand-delivered to our office no laterthan the close of business on the Friday proceeding the expected publication date. All articles submittedby non-staff members will be considered contributing writers. The Signature will not publish anyanonymous articles. All advertisements in this publication are the property of Stampa Generale S.r.l. Any reproduction of advertisements in The Signature is unauthorized without the written consentof the publisher.
The Signature editorial office is located at: Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily PSC 812 Box 3020, FPO, AE 09627 Telephone: 095-86-5440 • DSN 624-5440
Email thesig@eu.navy.mil to place your classified advertisement or community announcement.
nOvEmbEr 4, 2011
On thE gO with mwr Get ready for an action-packed November November is an exciting time of the year, full of family and tradition. This month brings activities that catapult us into the holiday season. The air is crisp. Football and chili consume the weekends. And Thanksgiving is the official kickoff, the point when it’s ok to start decorating and listening to holiday music. It’s the most wonderful time of the year as the song goes, but for many single sailors who are away from their families for the first time during the holidays, it’s the loneliest. It doesn’t have to be, though! MWR will be providing many activities this month to help you get into the holiday spirit and make Sigonella feel more like home. Don’t spend the upcoming holidays wishing you were back at home. Take the opportunity to get involved in the activities MWR has to offer and make Sigonella your home for the holidays! Our Thanksgiving-themed events begin Saturday, November 19th with run number 3 of the Base 2 Base Series, the Turkey Trot! This run/walk is a scenic 5k through the Orange Grove on NAS I.
The Fit District at NAS I will host its annual Turkey Bowling on Tuesday, November 22nd from 5:00pm – 6:30pm. This hilarious version of bowling substitutes a frozen turkey…ok, Cornish game hen…for the bowling ball. This event is for ages 13 and up and involves prizes!
Liberty will host a Holiday Budgeting Dinner at Connections on November 16th. This is a great opportunity to get together and learn how to budget your holiday spending so you don’t get into debt. A Fleet and Family representative will be there to help.
midtOwn mOviE thEatErS SchEdulE & dEScriptiOnS
WARRIOR – Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton, Nick Nolte Jennifer Morrison
Friday, November 4 5:00pm Columbiana, 5:30pm Apollo 18, 7:30pm Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, 8:00pm Our Idiot Brother,
PG-13 PG-13 R R
Saturday, November 5 2:00pm Spy Kids 4, PG 2:30pm The Help, PG-13 4:30pm Footloose, PG-13 5:00pm I Don’t Know How She Does It, PG-13 7:30pm Drive, R Sunday, November 6 2:00pm Dolphin Tale, PG 2:30pm I Don’t Know How She Does It, PG-13 4:30pm Fright Night, R 5:00pm Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, R 7:30pm Drive, R Tuesday, November 8 5:00pm Contagion, 5:30pm Footloose, 7:30pm Columbiana, 8:00pm Shark Night,
PG-13 PG-13 PG-13 R
Wednesday, November 9 5:00pm Apollo 18, 5:30pm Warrior, 7:30pm Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, 8:00pm Shark Night,
PG-13 PG-13 R R
Thursday, November 10 5:00pm Warrio, 5:30pm The Debt, 7:30pm Columbiana, 8:00pm Contagion,
PG-13 PG-13 PG-13 PG-13
Friday, November 11 2:00pm Puss in Boots, 2:30pm Spy Kids 4, 4:30pm Footloose, 5:00pm Abduction, 7:30pm Warrior,
PG PG PG-13 PG-13 PG-13
An ex-Marine haunted by his past, Tommy, returns to his hometown of Pittsburgh and enlists his fathers help to train him for a MMA tournament awarding the biggest purse in the history of the sport. As Tommy blazes a violent path towards the title, his brother, Brenden a former MMA fighter unable to makes ends meat as a public school teacher, returns to the amateur ring to provide for his family. The three have been bitterly estranged, and when Brenden’s unlikely rise as an underdog sets him on a collision course with Tommy and his father, the three must finally confront one another and the things that tore them apart; waging the most intense, winner-takes-all battle of their lives.(139 min.)
FOOTLOOSE – Julianne Hough, Kenny Wormald, Dennis Quaid, Andie MacDowell, Miles Teller Ren MacCormack is transplanted Boston to small town America where he experiences a heavy dose of culture shock. A few years prior, the community was rocked by the tragic loss of 5 teenagers after a night out and the town’s councilmen and beloved minister responded by banning loud music and dancing. Not one was to bow to the status quo; Ren challenges the ban, revitalizing the town and falling in love with the minister’s troubled daughter, Ariel (118 min).
CONTAGION – Matt Damon, Marion Cotillard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Brayan Cranston, Kate Winslet The worldwide medical community races to find a cure to a deadly epidemic and control panic that spreads faster than the virus itself (102 min.)
DOLPHIN TALE – Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson, Harry Connick Jr., Nathan Gamble Swimming free, a young dolphin is caught in a crab trap, severely damaging her tail. She is rescued and sent to the Clearwater Marine Hospital, where she is rehabilitated and called Winter. Winter’s diagnosis without a tail is dire, but the ingenuity and dedication of the hospital staff and unwavering devotion of a young boy bring about a ground-breaking miracle! A miracle that saves Winter and possibly scores of people around the world. The real Winter plays herself in this tale as a symbol of courage and perseverance – both to able and disabled people alike (119 min.)
Movie schedule is subject to change. Please call to confirm. Movie Hotline: 624-4248
Just because you can’t have Thanksgiving dinner at mom’s house doesn’t mean you won’t get to stuff yourself like a turkey with a Thanksgiving feast! Liberty will provide a huge meal for single sailors on Wednesday, November 23rd at 6:30pm at Connections. On Thanksgiving Day you’ll have the opportunity to skip the cooking and spend the American holiday in the Sicilian way! ITT is going to Borgo Antico Agriturismo for dinner! Thanksgiving evening Jox Pub is bringing special entertainment, classic rock band “Bits and Pieces.” The party starts at 9pm.
pagE 11
EmErgEncy managEmEnt OfficE Be prepared to be on your own for at least three days. Seven is better! The BASIC FIVE: Water, Food, Heat, Cash, Radio; Family Communications Plan: Phone Numbers & Rally Points; Public Protection Strategies: Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place; Web info: Ready.gov; Emergency info: AFN 106.0 FM; Questions? Call the EM Office at 624-2630, 8265 or 2621.
Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are back in Sigonella. For information on Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, please call 340-608-2140.