Vol. 28 No. 32
augusT 26, 2011
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Eating your greens made easier
Flight Line Clinic, serving those who serve the world By Tracie Barnthouse
Gary Bufalo, Naval Air Station Sigonella’s Commissary director, displays the new Commissary salad bar here, Aug. 16. Bufalo decided to install a salad bar after visiting a commissary in Germany. By MCSA Brian Glunt NPASE
Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella’s Commissary, located on NAS I, opened a salad bar for customers Aug.10. Gary A. Bufalo, Sigonella’s Commissary director constructed the idea of having a salad bar on NAS Sigonella after visiting commissaries on other U.S. military bases in northern Germany. “I wanted to do this here because I thought it would go over great with the community. Plus, it’s a healthier alternative instead of eating junk food or hamburgers,” said Bufalo. The new salad bar offers an assortment of cut fruits and vegetables along with salad dressing, croutons, sunflower seeds, cheese and more. The deli will
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Aug. 26 H: 91 uPdate L: 67
be selling meat that can be applied to a customer’s salad, if desired. The salad bar is located near the deli in the commissary and offers a medium size bowl, costing $3, and a large size bowl, costing $3.90. With help from the store manager of the Aviano Commissary, Bufalo had his staff trained on how to process the salads, cut up the fruit, display the ingredients, cleanly prepare the salad ingredients and operate the temperature controls of the salad bar. “It is awesome,” said Cmdr. Alice Whitley, Health Promotions and Nutrition department head at U.S Naval Hospital Sigonella. “It provides an additional option so people can really increase their fruit and vegetable in-take.” Aug. 27 H: 92 L: 67
Aug. 28 H: 88 L: 65
PAO/NPASE/AFN - what’s the difference? Each department has its own mission and tasks. Have you ever found yourself asking who to go to for roster photos? How about for commercials for the radio? Read all about the media on board NAS Sigonella.
Seven female Sailors assigned to USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Air Department formed the first all-female arresting gear crew in Navy history, Aug. 15.
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NAS Sigonella Public Affairs U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella has always hazd a strong presence as a tenant command of Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, and the command operates two facilities to service the entire base population - the main hospital on NAS I, and the Flight Line Clinic (FLC) on NAS II, which mainly works to serve the active duty population. The team of 18 medical professionals who make up the FLC pull together when the operational tempo increases - such as recently with Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR - to get the job done and do their part to ensure the health and safety of the service members stationed here. “It’s an interesting time to be stationed at NAS Sigonella,” said Lt. Gina Romano, Department Head for the FLC. “We aren’t changing the way we run things – we are definitely forced to step up the pace and just provide a service to people. It’s neat to see the way everybody is able to work FLC, continued on page 12
Situation Fluid, But Gadhafi Regime Nears End, Obama Says By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2011 – Though the situation in Libya remains fluid, the country is at a tipping point and the last hours of Moammar Gadhafi’s regime are at hand, President Barack Obama said today. The president spoke from Blue Heron Farm on Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., where he has been following the situation in the Libyan capital of Tripoli during a vacation. Aug 29 H: 89 L: 65
Thousands of visitors and pilgrims will swarm the streets and squares of the Ognina district in Catania to celebrate the Festa della Madonna di Ognina, a traditional religious festival honoring the Madonna that takes place from Sept. 8 through 11 in the small harbor of Ognina. PAGE 6 Community Calendar 4
Aug 30 H: 93 L: 65
NATO officials do not know where Gadhafi is, the president said, and the situation on the ground is complicated. “But this much is clear: the Gadhafi regime is coming to an end, and the future of Libya is in the hands of its people.” As part of the Arab Spring revolts, the people of Libya took to the streets to end Gadhafi’s 42-year long dictatorship. While the people of Tunisia and Egypt were successful in toppling their leaders, Gadhafi sent the army after protesters in Libya. The United States, the Aug 31 H: 90 L: 65
NAS Sigonella was a busy place last weekend - the first ever Mini Relay for Life on Saturday, and the Darius Rucker concert on Sunday. See pictures and read more about the activities.
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Sept. 1 H: 89 L: 71
The City of Milo sits on the Eastern slopes of Mount Etna. Its residents get a panoramic view of the Sicilian coastline, and on a clear day they say you can even see Calabria. Milo is a city of rich history and tradition, and one of those traditions is its annual wine festival, called ViniMilo. PAGE 11 Il Mercato 14
NATO alliance and Arab partners acted to prevent a wholesale slaughter of innocent Libyan men, women and children in Benghazi, Libya’s second-largest city and the seat of the revolt. “In the early days of this intervention, the United States provided the bulk of the firepower, and then our friends and allies stepped forward,” Obama said. “The Transitional National Council established itself as a credible representative of the Libyan people. And the United NATO, continued on page 3
Traffic Numbers Jan. 11 Aug 11
Jan. 10 Aug 10
Accidents
213
199
Injuries
32
38
DUIs
8
7
Traffic Deaths
0
0
Please, don’t become a statistic!
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AuguSt 26, 2011
Direct Line Good Day Sigonella! It has been an exciting past few weeks for many of our Sigonella Leaders. The NASSIG Chiefs Mess is in the middle of training our newly selected Chief Petty Officers, who on 01AUG11, received the great news. I would like to congratulate the following Chief Selects: Alan Trojanowski, from NASSIG Security; Shane Dacosta, from AIMD; Samuel Sands, from NCTS; Shannon Prothero, from CTF-67; Melissa Ochoa; from NAVHOSP; Jeffrey Carmichael, from CNE DET MAST; and from our deployed VP-45 squadron we had Angela Johns, Orion Patterson, Kevin Hunt, Rishka Elzie, and Eric Choisnet This is a significant milestone in each of these Leaders’ career, and the day they put on their anchors will mark one of the proudest days in their lives. The summer months are quickly coming to an end, and most of the community is now focusing on
NAS SigoNellA ActiNg commANd
back to school. Please keep in mind, however, that we still need to exercise recreational safety. There is a long holiday weekend on our horizon, and I expect all leaders to be fully engaged: making sure their Sailors have a plan. If you are going to travel, make sure you exercise ORM, and have contingency plans in place. If you are driving any long distance, make sure you go to NKO and click on the Travel Risk Planning System (TRIPS) link. This system is used to help you recognize, and avoid, the hazards faced while on the highway: fatigue, not buckling up, and driving too far. Please utilize this tool, and enter your supervisor’s .mil account, so they could see and approve your plan. There has been several Sigonella initiatives that are intended to target some of the behaviors that tends to keep us in trouble. One in particular is Sigonella’s chapter of Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive
Health Watch
Decisions (CSADD). I’ve had some motivated Sailors that have been heavily involved in this endeavor – positively influencing behavior through resources and tools that promote good decision making processes. They are always looking for new ideas and participation from the community. Please take the time to be a part of this worthwhile organization. Also, our DUI Task Force has been meeting on a regular basis, and working hard to educated the Sigonella Community, via posted “Don’t Drink & Drive” banners and All Hands email notes. The two organizations are looking at sponsoring some events in the future, and they need your help. Please volunteer your time! Finally, I would like to welcome Naval Air Station Sigonella’s new Command Master Chief, CMDCM David L. Graham. He came to us from the Oceana based
mASter
chief, edwArd SANtiAgo
Strike Fighter Squadron Eight One, where he also served as the CMC. His previous commands includes the USS Norfolk, USS Newport News, Basic Enlisted Submarine Service School Groton, USS Hymand G. Rickover, Submarine Training Facility Norfolk, COMPHIBRON EIGHT, and USS Kauffman. He is here with his wife of 22 years, LaDonyia, and two boys Dontay and Davon. When you see them, please take the time to welcome them to the Sigonella Community. Thank you for all the support each and every one of you have given me. All the programs we have in place and all the personnel – Military and Civilian – we have here are what makes Sigonella the model that we always are!! Also, in the last CMC Direct
Line, the wrong dates were cited for the next advancement exams. The correct dates are 01SEPT11 for the E6 exam, 08SEPT11 for the E5, and 15SEPT11 for the E4 exam. Good luck to all of those taking the exams! Stay Safe & Hooyah Sigonella!!
NASSIG WORSHIP SERVICES Chapel Offices: NAS I 095-56-3975, NAS II 095-86-9049 ROMAN CATHOLIC Sunday 0900 Catholic Mass (NAS I Chapel) 1200 Catholic Mass (NAS II Chapel) Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 1130 Catholic Mass (NAS II Chapel) JEWISH LAY SERVICES First Friday Shabbat Service (NAS I Chapel) 1800 sigshalom@yahoo.com
PROTESTANT Sunday Protestant Worship (NAS I) 1045
CHURCH OF CHRIST LAY SERVICE Sunday 1300 Bible Study (NAS I Chapel) 1330 Worship Service Call 624-5128 or 338-736-3061
OTHER SERVICES/ACTIVITIES POINTS OF CONTACT Muslim Prayer Room, open for daily prayers, NAS II Chapel, x9049. Latter-day Saints: Sunday 1300 Catania Chapel, shefchik@hotmail.com; 624-1393 AA Meetings: Monday,Wednesday, Friday – 1900, NAS II Chapel, 346-840-7745
Oral health risks of tobacco use e eyes and ears of NAS Sigonella By Cmdr. Peter Dodson, DC, USN Director of Dental Services USNH Sigonella, Italy
Most adults are aware of the harmful effects associated with the use of tobacco products, such as lung cancer, cardiopulmonary diseases and low birthweight. However, the oral effects of tobacco usage, both smoking and smokeless, are generally considered to be less well-appreciated. Studies have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal (gum) disease. Additionally, following periodontal treatment or any type of oral surgery, the chemicals in tobacco can slow down the healing process and Commanding Officer Capt. Scott Butler Public Affairs Officer Lt. Tim Page Deputy Public Affairs Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta Editor Tracie Barnthouse Staff Writers/ Photographers MC1 Christopher Delano MC2 Gary Prill GM2 Kris Carmody MCSN Cameron Bramham MCSA Brian Glunt 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
make the treatment results less predictable. At least 80% of oral cancer patients are smokers, and human studies have determined that a smoker is as much as 7 times more likely than a nonsmoker to develop an oral malignancy. Users of smokeless tobacco have a risk of developing oral cancer that is 4 times greater than nonusers. Oral cancer resulting from tobacco use most often involves the tongue or the floor of the mouth (the area below the tongue). Leukoplakia is a well-defined white patch of the soft tissues of the mouth. Approximately 80 percent of leukoplakia patients are smokers, and smokers are much more likely to have TOBACCO, 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 advertising in this newspaper, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DoD or Stampa Generale S.r.l., of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall 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 factor of the purchaser, user or patron. A confirmed violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser will result in the refusal to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. The Sig-
Mass Communication Specialists By LS1 Alejandro Ozornio NASSIG First Class Association Mass Communication Specialists (MC) are the eyes and voices of the United States Navy. They present the story of the Navy to audiences not only in the States, but also around the globe and strive to get the most pertinent information out to a broad audience in the form of written articles, photos, and radio and television broadcasts. At Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, there are 11 MCs, and though they all work together as public affairs and visual information experts, there are three distinct commands that each nature is published weekly by Stampa Generale S.r.l., Sig. Bruno Brandi, Publisher, Naval Support Activity, Capodichino (Naples), Italy - Tel. 081568-7884, 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 later than the close of business on the Friday proceeding the expected publication date. All articles submitted by non-staff members will be considered contributing writers. The Signature will not publish any anonymous 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 consent of the publisher.
have varying missions and tasks. All MCs stationed at NAS Sigonella either work at the Public Affairs Office (PAO), American Forces Network (AFN), or Naval Public Affairs Support Element (NPASE). The Public Affairs Office, led by Lt. Tim Page, oversees command information, coordinates many community relations projects, conducts base tours and manages media interest on base. The PAO also runs the base newspaper “The Signature,” which is one of the primary command information products on NAS Sigonella. The PAO also maintains the official NAS Sigonella Facebook page, coordinates the supplemental Welcome Aboard magazine, and sends out All Hands messages. The PAO helps coordinate many community relations (COMREL) programs at NAS Sigonella, and is the official command sponsored COM-
REL coordinator. The program is run by Deputy Public Affairs Officer, Alberto Lunetta. COMRELs play a key role in maintaining close ties with NAS Sigonella’s host nation and citizens. AFN Sigonella is tenant command responsible providing timely, effective, accurate and relative information through broadcast (radio and television) to the U.S. military member and their families. Along with providing stories of daily events at NAS Sigonella and throughout the rest of Sicily, AFN also hosts two daily live radio shows. AFN also creates a two-minute news package every day of events going on around NAS Sigonella that airs on the AFN local channel of events. Providing a recap of base events is important because AFN puts every news COMMUNICATE, continued on page 12
CNE-CNA-C6F/CNREURAFSEA IG Hotline It’s everyone’s responsibility to report fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in Navy activities to: Office of the Inspector General, Naples, Italy Leave a recorded message 24/7: DSN 626-2983, Comm: 081-568-2983 Speak to the Investigator: DSN 626-2964, Comm: 081-568-2964 Email: ighotline@eu.navy.mil Website: www.cnic.navy.mil/europe/index.htm You can choose to remain anonymous or confidential.
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Vino on the volcano The City of Milo sits on the Eastern slopes of Mount Etna. Its residents get a panoramic view of the Sicilian coastline, and on a clear day they say you can even see Calabria. Milo is a city of rich history and tradition, and one of those traditions is its annual wine festival, called ViniMilo. This year will be Milo’s 31st annual wine festival. It happens August 26th - September 11th. Many types of wines from different regions will be featured each night. You will be able to taste and purchase anything from bold, robust
reds to bubbly, sweet white wines, and try the entries from the festival’s wine competition. Vendor booths will line the streets with tastes of local fares, like honey and other sweets. Some nights will also include special live music and others will have “Cinema & Vino,” where they will show films that feature wine. ITT will take a trip to the festival on Sunday, September 4. Call them at 624-4777 for more information. To get the full program for the Milo Wine Festival visit the city’s website at www.comunedimilo.ct.it.
Join ITT For ese Extended Trips! Take a trip with ITT and let us take care of the details! The trips include airfare and hotels, plus many meals, entry fees and an escort for the entire trip.
Midtown Movie theaterS Schedule & deScriptionS
COWBOYS & ALIENS – Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde, Paul Dano, Sam Rockwell It’s 1873 in the Arizona Territory. A stranger with no memory of his past stumbles into the town of Absolution. The only hint of his history is a mysterious shackle that encircles one wrist. What he discovers is that the people of Absolution don’t welcome strangers, but they will come to depend on him as their only hope for survival in an epic showdown with marauders from the sky (112 min).
Columbus Day Weekend in Transylvania See some amazing historical regions of central and western Romania, including Bucharest, Peles Castle, Count Dracula’s Castle and Bran Village. We will also visit the medieval city of Sighisoara where Vlad Dracul was born and have lunch in his childhood home. October 7th – 10th
BAD TEACHER – Cameron Diaz, Lucy Punch, Jason Segel, Justin Timberlake, John Higgins
Friday, August 26 5:00pm Green Lantern PG-13 8:00pm Captain America PG-13 Saturday, August 27 2:00pm Judy Moody PG 4:30pm Bridesmaids R 7:30pm Bad Teacher R Sunday, August 28 2:00pm Mr. Popper’s Penguins PG 4:30pm Monte Carlo PG
Some teachers just don’t give an F. For example, there’s Elizabeth. She’s foul-mouthed, ruthless, and inappropriate. She drinks, gets high, and can’t wait to marry her meal ticket and get out of her bogus day job. A wild set of relationship circumstances including being dumped by her fiancé and fighting off the unwanted advances of a coworker set into motion an education like no other for her, her co-workers and her students (89 min). MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS – Jim Carrey, Carla Gugino, Angela Lansbury, Ophelia Lovibond, Madeline Carroll
Growing up in Brooklyn, young Tommy Popper looks forward to his moments when, on his tiptoes to reach a HAM radio, he can talk to his father, a world traveler. Years later, Tommy is now Mr. Popper, a highly successful real estate developer in Manhattan, living a posh lifestyle in an ultra modern Park Avenue apartment and well on his way to becoming partner at his prestigious firm; that is until a final gift from his late father arrives for him from Antarctica. His world is turned topsy turvy with the arrival of a pet penguin, and attempts to rid himself of the animal only land him more penguins and thanks to his new charges, he learns the importance of family; human and otherwise (97 min).
7:30pm Larry Crowne PG-13 Tuesday, August 30 5:00pm Monte Carlo PG 8:00pm Horrible Bosses R Wednesday, August 31 5:00pm Transformers 3 PG-13
LARRY CROWNE– Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Bryan Cranston, Gugu-Raw, Jon Seda
Until he was downsized, Larry Crowne was a superstar team leader at the big-box company where he’s worked since he was in the Navy. Underwater on his mortgage and unclear on what to do with his suddenly free days, he heads to a local college to start over. There he becomes a part of a colorful community of outcasts who are all trying to find a better future for themselves. Larry develops an unexpected crush on his public-speaking teacher, Mercedes Tainot, who’s lost passion for teaching and her marriage. A simple guy who’s life has stalled will come to discover his reason to live (99 min.)
8:00pm Bridesmaids R
HORRIBLE BOSSES – Jennifer Anniston, Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudekis, Colin Farrell
Thursday, September 1
For Nick, Kurt and Dale, the only thing that would make the daily grind more tolerable would be to grind their intolerable bosses into dust. Quitting is not an option, so, with the benefit of a few-too-many drinks and some dubious advice from a hustling ex-con, the three friends devise a convoluted and seemingly fool-proof plan to rid themselves of their respective employers… permanently (93 min.)
5:00pm Cowboys & Aliens PG-13 8:00pm Bad Teacher R Friday, September 2 5:00pm Larry Crowne PG-13 8:00pm Harry Potter 7 pt.2 PG-13
Movie schedule is subject to change. Please call to confirm. Movie Hotline: 624-4248
Thanksgiving Tuscany Tour Enjoy your Thanksgiving meal at a winery on the Tuscan countryside! Then spend time falling in love with this artistically rich and beautiful region of Italy in Florence, home of Michelangelo’s David, Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus” and the famous Ponte Vecchio. Then visit the picturesque hill towns of Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano! November 23rd 27th
Christmas in Rome December 23rd – 26th Call ITT at 624-4396 or 624-4777 for the full itineraries on these trips or to get signed up today!