The Signature | February 23, 2018

Sigonella Swordfish

All Officers' Spouses Club

Travel Feature

Bring their A-Game to Southern Divisionals

Hosts Children's Book Drive for MWR Library

A Weekend in Slovenia

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N A S SIG O N E L L A

PAGES 8-9

FEBRUARY 23, 2018

Vol. 35 No. 7

NAS Sigonella Conducts CBRNE Drill

by MC2 Christopher Gordon NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – It started off as a normal Tuesday for Logistics Specialist Seaman Dylan Capaldi. While working at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella post office, Feb. 20, on NAS 2, Capaldi came across an open package carrying a white substance. When he investigated further he realized it was too late.

“Everybody get out!” Capaldi yelled.

The post office was evacuated as the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive (CBRNE) drill kicked off.

The CBRNE exercise simulated a biological agent attack in the post office to test the reaction time and protocol for Security, Fire, Medical, and NAVSUP Sailors.

“This event is a realistic scenario when dealing with mail, and it’s something that we need to train on,” said Chief Logistics Specialist Christopher Strehl, NAS 1 Post Office Leading Chief Petty Officer. “There’s no better way to train than to just do it and build that muscle memory.”

Along with training the Sailors in the post office on proper evacuation procedures and containment policy, Security Sailors practiced putting on their new HAZMAT equipment and CBRNE procedures.

“It was difficult at first, remembering all of the steps of how to put the suit on, but it was definitely a good learning experience,” said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Antoinette Howell, the Security first responder in the drill. “With this training I can pass on tips and tricks to newer personnel so they can don the gear in a timely manner.”

For many Sailors, this was the first time using the new equipment in a CBRNE scenario.

“To actually do this, don the gear, and go through the motions on how to react for a biological attack is very important,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Brandon Ji, CBRNE Specialist. “They did a great job during this exercise but there is always room for small improvements.”

After the Security personnel made sure the area was clear, fire services were dispatched to the scene.

Fire fighters laid down a red tarp and extended the hose on their truck to create a decontamination sta-

SIGONELLA, Sicily (February 20, 2018) – Fire fighters set up a decontamination station outside of the Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella post office during a biological weapons attack drill onboard NAS Sigonella. NAS Sigonella is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be where they are needed and when they are needed to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia.

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Gordon/Released)

tion right outside the building, to help anyone that was exposed to the “anthrax.”

“NAS Sigonella’s training teams plan, brief, execute and debrief regular integrated exercises to test our CBRNE and emergency management plans,” said Chris “Frog” Steinnecker, Installation Training Officer for NAS Sigonella. “These exercises allow our tenants, fire responders, security forces, medical and incident management personnel to practice command, control and communications with the goal of improving our readiness to respond to and

SIGONELLA, Sicily (February 20, 2018) – Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Antoinette Howell, wearing a HAZMAT suit, maintains a perimeter around the post office during a biological weapons attack drill onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Gordon/Released)

recover from potential attacks and natural disasters.”

NAS Sigonella, “The Hub of the Med”, is a U.S. Navy installation and an Italian Air Force base in Sicily, Italy. NAS Sigonella is the Navy’s second largest security command, second only to that located at Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Because of its location near the center of the Mediterranean Sea, NASSIG is well placed to support operations by the U.S. 6th Fleet, other U.S. military units, and U.S. allies and coalition partners.

SIGONELLA, Sicily (February 20, 2018) – Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Antoinette Howell isolates post office workers and customers during a biological weapons attack drill to determine if they need to be quarantined onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Gordon/Released)

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FEBRUARY 23, 2018

Direct Line

Captain Brent Trickel, NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer Hello Sigonella.

Today we will celebrate a very important month and hold a rally to kick off the campaign for an important cause that will take place next month, so please join us at the Galley today!

The Navy much like the rest of the United States celebrates African American History Month from February 1-28.

This year’s theme is “African Americans in Times of War” which is very fitting given that our nation has been at war in some form for the past 17 years. African Americans have contributed to our nation’s war efforts from the Revolutionary War to our current conflicts.

African American Sailors and Civilians are critical to the success of the Navy.

They serve in every rank from Seaman to Admiral and serve in every rate and warfare specialty. African Americans make up 17 percent of all naval personnel (roughly 64,000 Sailors) which includes more than 58,000 enlisted and 5,000 officers. Until recently our Four Star Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa was an African American, Admiral Michelle Howard.

Here are a few notable African Ameri-

can service members from naval history that are worth looking up and learning more about.

The Golden Thirteen, were the thirteen African-American enlisted men who became the first black commissioned and warrant officers in the U.S. Navy.

Before June 1, 1942 African-Americans could only join the Navy's Messman or Steward ratings, which not only segregated them from the rest of the Navy community, but also prohibited them from becoming commissioned officers.

The Golden Thirteen broke the color barrier.

Jesse LeRoy Brown, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October 1926 and lost his life for his country on Dec. 4, 1950. He was the first African-American aviator in the U.S. Navy, a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the first African-American naval officer killed in the Korean War. And, Harriet Ida Pickens and Ensign Frances Wills. In November 1944, the two women became the first African-American female officers in the WAVES. They graduated from the Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School (Women's Reserve) at

Northampton, Mass. By the time World War II ended on Sept. 2, 1945, Harriet Ida Pickens and Frances Wills were only two black female officers among the Navy's 86,000 WAVES. Please visit the Galley today at 1000 to hear BMC Adam Rhodes speak about the contributions of African Americans to the Navy and then join us for the All Hands Special Meal.

The month of March will kick off the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) Fund Drive. Today the NMCRS Fund Drive Team will hold an event at the Galley to promote interest and awareness in the fund drive.

Last year NAS Sigonella was NUMBER ONE PER CAPITA among all Naval Installations world-wide which was $5 higher than our nearest competitor.

Sigonella citizens received over $170,000 in aid from NMCRS last year, so this great organization that we give too definitely gives back! Overall NMCRS provided $69.3 million in assistance last year of which $44.8 million was interest free loans or grants. If you remember last year I told a story from my first squadron

where NMCRS helped one of our Sailors.

This Sailor was from Pakistan and his grandfather passed away. Tickets to Pakistan from Norfolk, VA were quite expensive even in 1997 but this Sailor was able to buy a ticket and attend the funeral with the assistance of NMCRS. If you have the time today then I invite you to make your way to the Galley for the celebration of African American History Month and to receive information on the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society Fund Drive.

Commanding Officer's Suggestion Box The ICE/CO Suggestion Box is for our community and Commanding Officer to discuss, with an eye toward constant improvement, how we are excelling* and how we can improve**. The community is strongly encouraged to leave contact information when submitting comments. This ensures that a response will come directly to you. The Signature and NASSIG Facebook Page typically publish comments and responses for the benefit of the Sigonella community. Comments/suggestions are useful when objective, constructive, and specific. ICE/CO Sug-

gestion Box is NOT a forum for mean-spirited attacks.

Anonymous comments will be published only if they benefit the greater community at large. * If you submit a "BZ" about a specific person or department, PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR NAME in order to ensure comment authenticity and therefore publicly recognize employees or organizations. ** The Commanding Officer will ensure a response to all signed comments/suggestions and the vast majority of anonymous ones but reserves the right to disregard

those comments/suggestions disinterested in the spirit of the program!

There are two ways to submit; go to: 1) Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) home page on a One-Net computer at: http://ice.disa.mil, All Sigonella services are found under the Navy Europe Listing in the scroll-down menu.

– or – 2) NAS Sigonella's website www.cnic.navy.mil/Sigonella, go to the "About" drop down menu and click on "CO Suggestion Box".

Interactive Customer Evaluation Comment regarding “Bravo Zulu for Post Office”:

One of the busiest spots in Sunny Sig’ in December is the post office. They get thousands of boxes and endless stacks of Christmas cards to be mailed out and surely some stressed out customers who are desperate for their much awaited package(s) to arrive. I was in the post office many, many times in December and I must give a shout out to LS2 Henderson. It wouldn't be enough to say that he was helpful; he was/is more than that. One time in particular I recall was when I was in the post office just after it opened. I was picking up flat rate boxes to bring home and fill them up with Christmas gifts for my family. He called over to me and asked if I needed flat rate or just regular boxes and then proceeded to tell me that depending on where I send my box, it may be less expensive if I mailed my package in a regular box. He asked me what the zip code was and for the approximate weight of my package and looked it up and told me it was cheaper to get a regular box. Not everyone would do that. But, even better than that, LS2 Henderson is always smiling and has a wonderfully positive attitude. I challenge the reader of this ICE comment to go into the post office and see LS2 Henderson and see for yourself. Even if you don't have mail to send or pick up, his positive nature is infectious and you'll feel happier when you leave.

Sincerely, Erin Ellis

Response:

Dear Mrs. Ellis, Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with me. My wife Marla

also agrees that she receives top notch service every time she visits the post office. Every day we impart to the Fleet Mail Center Team that our most important assets are the service members, civilians and families we serve in the Sigonella Community. Our mission is to ensure that anyone who has mail go through one of our post offices is well taken care of and has a positive experience. The Fleet Mail Center team is a team of professionals who treats everyone with dignity and respect, and upholds and enforces the highest postal standards at all times. Thank you for your kind feedback. If you have any questions you are always more than welcome to contact the Fleet Mail Center Postal Officer Lt. Joseph Green at Joseph.green@eu.navy.mil or 624-5558.

Comment regarding “Bravo Zulu for Housing Department”:

I wanted to express my gratitude to Maria Antonella in the Housing Utilities office. I experienced terrible wind storms in my area and my entire neighborhood lost power for two days. Maria was extremely helpful when I came to the housing office desperate for help. She immediately assisted by calling Enel and getting an answer as to when the power would be turned back on. This information was later relayed to my many neighbors who also were without power.

That same morning Maria also assisted me with a billing issue with my natural gas company by calling them and straightening it out. Thank you so much for your help! The Collins family really appreciates your hard work and dedication.

Sincerely, Steven Collins

"ICE" continued on Page 3

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FEBRUARY 23, 2018

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THE SIGNATURE U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA

Name: Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Brandon Ji Hometown: Ulsan, South Korea Department: Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Whenever an emergency on Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella happens, Security, Fire, and Medical rapidly respond to that crisis in a timely manner.

Those services respond on time due to the civilians and Sailors like Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Brandon Ji at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

Ji wears two hats at the EOC. One of his positions is watch standing in the dispatch center, where he answers 911 calls and monitors alarms. His other position is working with Emergency Management as the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive (CBRNE) specialist, where he helps or-

ganize the response to events spanning from terrorist attacks to flooding.

“I see the need for my job and I love how I can help,” said Ji. “I have friends that are going to school for this while I’m here doing the actual job and making an impact, and of all my training is getting transferred to emergency management or environmental credits.”

On top of his job at the EOC, Ji works as a command Drug and Alcohol Programs Advisor (DAPA) on NASSIG. As a DAPA, Ji does presentations and private counseling’s with Sailors about drug and alcohol abuse, along with educating the command.

“I get to take off my EM staff hat and actually talk to people about their personal life, and find out what’s going on with people and why those things are effecting them,” said Ji. “It makes me feel good to know that I’ve impacted peoples lives in a positive way.”

In his off time, Ji has a busy life taking care of his 6-month-old son and

"ICE" continued from Page 2

Response:

Mr. Collins, Thank you for the comment. I am sorry to hear that you were without power for two days during the windstorm. However, I am very glad that Maria Antonella was able to help you out during this time. We had many families without power during the wind storms. The Housing office is currently in the process of streamlining the utilities processes including utility set-up, billing, and energy conservation. The staff has also updated the utility briefs given to customers allowing them to have a better understanding of the utilities process. Most importantly, the Housing Staff is actively working with Utility companies to help provide up to date information during emergencies such as the one you encountered. By making these changes to improve processes it allows the staff to dedicate more time to help residents resolve issues that arise. Again, thank you for your comment. If you have any further questions or issues you would like to discuss please contact Peter Faulk, Installation Housing Director, at peter.faulk@eu.navy.mil or 624-4070.

two dogs. With a busy family life, Ji still tries to travel with his family and go to school.

Ji is currently studying toward a degree in History and is interested in potentially teaching school after his time in the Navy.

“When I first came here I was very timid, I was very shy, I didn’t want to talk to people or do anything with people, but my job when I first got here was to do the CBRNE brief for Indoc,” said Ji. “That got me used to public speaking and teaching. Knowing what you’re talking about and actually getting people interested keeps me going.”

Sigonella is Ji’s 4th duty station while in the Navy, and has been his favorite spot yet.

“I have loved my time here,” said Ji. “When I first came to Sigonella I was a single Sailor; now I’m married with a kid and two dogs. I came here by myself and I’m going to leave with a whole family and a new set of skills.”

Comment regarding “Dog Attacks on Base”:

There were dog attack(s) this past weekend on NAS 2.

Should Security personnel have filed a report? A young lady was almost attacked and when she informed Security, she was told it is "being worked on".

Sincerely, Latia Johnson

Response:

Thank you for your comment regarding dog attacks that have recently occurred on NAS 2. This is unfortunately a longstanding issue that falls under the jurisdiction of the Italian Air Force (ITAF). Currently, NASSIG leadership is partnering with ITAF to resolve this matter to prevent future dog attacks from happening. Any person that is attacked or threatened should immediately contact Emergency Dispatch at 095-861911 so that Security and Fire Emergency Services can be dispatched to the scene. Again, I thank you for your comment and if you have any further questions or concerns regarding this issue please contact the Security Operations Officer, ENS Kentzell at 624-2491 or the Security Operations LCPO, MACS Laines at 624-7142.

Commanding Officer Capt. Brent Trickel Executive Officer Cmdr. Patrick J. Moran Command Master Chief CMDCM Nancy Estrada EDITORIAL Public Affairs Officer Lt. Andriana Genualdi andriana.genualdi@eu.navy.mil Community Relations Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta alberto.lunetta.it@eu.navy.mil Editor MCC Jessica Vargas Jessica.Vargas@eu.navy.mil PAO Staff Writer \ Photographer MC2 Christopher Gordon Christopher.Gordon@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 PUBLISHER Stampa Generale S.r.l., Sig. Bruno Brandi, Publisher, Naval Support Activity Capodichino (Naples), Italy stampagenerale@tin.it Tel. 081-568-7884 Fax 081-568-7887 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 factorof 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 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 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.

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FEBRUARY 23, 2018

Sigonella Swordfish Bring Their A-Game to Southern Divisionals

By Brice Goodwin

The Sigonella Swordfish brought their “A” game to the pool deck in Naples, Italy for the Southern Division Championship meet against Aviano, Lisbon, Naples, Rota, and Vicenza on February 3. And while the Swordfish ultimately weren’t able to break through the sheer numbers of Naples Tiger Shark swimmers with their home pool advantage, their presence was unequivocally felt by the five teams as the Swordfish cinched a decisive second-place standing.

Out of the myriad aquatic feats displayed throughout the 40 total swim events, the 200-meter Freestyle was where the Swordfish awed their competitors with their grace, speed, and overall skill. Whether it was the Boys or Girls swimming, the 8-year-olds and under or 17-19 year-old age groups, they simply dominated this event by demonstrating what commitment looks like in action.

The 13-14 year-old girls opened the show to this event, setting the achievement bar at a level few thought possible. Grace Hardy and Allison Havard came into the wall over eight seconds faster than their previous times, with Marly McElree swimming shotgun with a sub-five second drop as well.

But it was Federica D’Ignoti who kept the water churning for eight laps to finish with a fourth-place medal and 16.89 second time drop that caused the other teams to wonder what they were up against in the coming events. They didn’t have long to wait.

Olivia Soper and Nicholas Schlosser both followed up in their 17-19-year-old categories with gold medal wins. Wanting to continue in the wake of their older team mates, Logan Edwards and Nolan Ellis represented the boys 13-14 year-olds to show they also knew how to swim a 200-meter event like true champions. Logan stopped the clock 15.63 seconds sooner than his last time, and Nolan sliced through his heat with a time that earned him a fourth-place medal on the podium.

Once again, as the 11-12 year-old girls have shown all season, they don’t back down from a good challenge, but instead rise to the occasion with an intensity that can’t be ignored. Gabriella Goodwin, Alyvia Young, and Eleanora Andre all swam double-digit times faster, with Gabriella knocking a full 20 seconds off her time, Eleanora dropping 18.59 seconds, and Alyvia leaving behind 17.67 seconds.

Once the final results were tallied, Davan Webster also joined this power team with a bronze medal win to join the other three with a qualifying time for London later this month. Joaquin Torres and Charlie White tightened up any remaining slack in the boys 11-12 year-old group by shaving their split times to both earn another two qualifying times for Champs. The momentum and adrenaline fueled the remaining age groups as Leah Ruppert and Kale VanWagner (8 and Under age group), and Shepard Blair (9-10 year-olds) all earned invitations to London with their water skills, and Eva Berdugo (9-10

Nolan Ellis waits for his final time following his fourth place win at Southern Divisionals. (Photo by Brice Goodwin)

year-olds) proudly accepted a Fifth Place medal win.

And while it was the 200-meter freestyle that impressed competitors and spectators alike, the Swordfish didn’t want to leave the meet having the rest of the division thinking they were a one event phenomenon. Walter Hardy, Keely Webster, Alyah Perkins, and Jordan Barcenas all swept gold medals in their 50-meter Freestyle events; while David Goodwin, Hannah Davis, Davan Webster, and Shannon Buckley claimed most of the gold medals in their 200-meter individual medley events.

By the end of the day, the Swordfish left the pool

with a grand haul of 25 Gold Medals, 20 Silver Medals, and 16 Bronze Medals as validation for the hours they and their coaches have spent at the pool and in the water.

And yet, with all the gold and silver that the Swordfish collected, the lasting image etched in everyone’s minds was the enduring friendships and camaraderie shown among the swimmers, which transcended team affiliation and competitive standings. Coach Matthew Young captured the sentiments of all coaches, parents, and swimmers best in his follow-on message to the swim community at large: “absolutely amazing.”

FEBRUARY 23, 2018

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AOSC Hosts Children’s Book Drive for MWR Library

Photo from left to right: Jennifer Haley (AOSC), Savannah Kentzell (AOSC), LeMesha Staples (Library Technician), Philip Mowrer (MWR Sigonella Librarian), Lucia Maugeri (Library Technician), and Jen Shippy (AOSC) with her son Wesley.

By Jennifer Haley AOSC Service Committee Chair

The NAS Sigonella All Officers’ Spouses Club (AOSC) organized a month long book drive for MWR Sigonella’s Library for their first service project of 2018. Jen Shippy, an AOSC member and volunteer with the Service Committee, led and organized the event with the support of committee members Savannah Kentzell, Ana Kosta, and Jennifer Haley. The donations are part one of an effort to help sponsor a children’s play area equipped with shelving and a toy box.

The AOSC collected 42 board books, a set

of Duplo Legos, and three puzzles all geared toward children seven and under from the Sigonella community through a wish list on Amazon. Around 15 of the board books were donated by Lois Dent with the “Sure Start” program AOSC presented Philip Mowrer, MWR Sigonella Librarian, with the collection of books and hands on learning materials. Both organizations hope to continue their relationship by partnering this summer in the Library’s 8-week Summer Program. The AOSC plans to organize a craft hour once a week with the children to promote creativity and learning.

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Citrus fruits, scurvy and the origins of the Sicilian mafia

FEBRUARY 23, 2018

Sigonella NCTS volunteers give Catania Archimede High School students Internet safety tips

Story by The Conversation

The Sicilian mafia is arguably one of the most famous – or infamous – institutions in the Western world. After its first appearance in Sicily in the 1870s it soon infiltrated the economic and political spheres of Italy and the US and has, at times, been considered a serious threat to the rule of law in both countries.

But despite the fact that we’ve seen plenty of evidence of mafia activity, both in real life and on screen over the past 140 years, the reasons behind its emergence are still obscure.

While some analysis by academics has focused on weak institutions, predation and the poor state enforcement of property rights, others – particularly when it comes to the Sicilian mafia – have suggested that the legacy of feudalism was an important driver, along with the development of “latifundism” (a system according to which agriculture is dominated by large estates) and a loss of social capital and public trust in the government which was dominated by a foreign occupation.

These theories provide plausible explanations for the origin of the Sicilian mafia as a whole – but they fail to explain the considerable variation in the growth of the criminal organization across different areas within the Sicilian region – especially when those areas experienced very similar socio-political conditions.

Working with Ola Olsson, from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, we recently published a study in the Journal of Economic History, in which we analyzed the rise of the Sicilian mafia using a unique dataset drawn from the Damiani Inquiry in 1886. This was a parliamentary inquiry conducted between 1881 and 1886 that examined the conditions of the agricultural sector and of peasantry in every region of Italy. Our analysis emphasizes the economic or market-related factors behind mafia organization and focuses on local factors – rather than the overall political system under the oppressive Bourbon state in Sicily.

We found that the growth and consolidation of the Sicilian mafia is strongly associated with an external surge in the demand for lemons from 1800 on wards after the discovery of the effective use of citrus fruits to prevent scurvy by James Lind.

Sicily already enjoyed a dominant position in the international market for citrus fruits – and the increase in demand resulted in a very large inflow of revenues to areas focused on citrus production during the 1800s. Citrus trees can be cultivated only in areas that meet specific requirements (mild and constant temperature throughout the year and an abundance of water) – and this guaranteed substantial profits to the relatively few local producers in areas of Sicily that conformed to these requirements.

A combination of high profits, a weak rule of law, a low level of interpersonal trust and widespread poverty made lemon producers a suitable target for criminals. Neither the Bourbon regime (1816–1860), nor the newly-formed government after Italian independence in 1861, had the strength or the means to effectively enforce private property rights. So citrus farmers resorted to hiring private security providers to protect themselves from theft and also to arrange intermediaries between the retailers and exporters in the harbors.

A lot of this information can be found in the archives of the Damiani Inquiry. Questionnaires were sent to 179 pretori (lower court judges) asking, among other things: “What is the most common form of crime in the district? What are their causes?”

Oranges and lemons

When we looked at the archive, we found that mafia presence in the 1880s was strongly associated with citrus cultivation – no other crop or industry appeared to have the same robust impact on mafia activity. Our findings are supported by anecdotal evidence reported by the English author John Dickie in his 2004 book: Cosa Nostra: A History of the Sicilian Mafia and by the Italian historian Salvatore Lupo in his book Il Giardino degli Aranci (The Orange Garden).

Dickie named a Dr Galati as the first person persecuted by the mafia. Detailed records of his story can be found in Galati’s memoir: I casi di Malaspina e la mafia delle campagne di Palermo (Cases of Malaspina and the mafia in the campaigns of

"ITALIAN NEWS" continued on Page 15

Photo story by Alberto Lunetta CATANIA, Sicily, (February 12, 2018). A team of volunteers from NCTS Sigonella met with the students of the Catania Istituto Industriale “Archimede” vocational high school to teach them how to safely use the Internet and mobile devices. NCTS sailors advised students to use strong, long and unique passwords, to keep their personal information safe to protect themselves from cyber thieves and to avoid friending people they don’t know. Students were very attentive and asked many questions about cyber attacks and security updates.

This presentation was part of the ongoing “Language-interaction” NASSIG PAO COMREL program held at Sicilian schools which is aimed at helping students to improve their English language skills and learn about American history, customs, lifestyle and culture

FEBRUARY 23, 2018

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SGLI Beneficiaries Remain in Place as Navy Transitions to New Online System From Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- Sailors and families who log into the Servicemember's Group Life Insurance (SGLI) Online Enrollment System (SOES) for the first time may be surprised when they see there is no beneficiary information listed.

"Your SGLI coverage is still in place," said Ann Stewart, director, Pay and Personnel Department, Navy Personnel Command.

"Sailors who log into SOES for the first time will have to input their beneficiary information manually.

That is why there is no information the first time you use the system. But rest assured, that that form you previously filled out to designate your SGLI beneficiaries remains valid, until you register with the SOES."

The Navy announced the launch of online SGLI enrollment in NAVADMIN 085/17 in April 2017 as part of a Department of Defense and Veterans Administration joint effort, to allow active duty and eligible reserve and National Guard members to review their group and family coverage online. SOES is the online replacement for the paper form SGLI Election and Certificate, SGLV 8286. The new system eliminates unclear designations and missing or incomplete forms -- problems identified with the paper-based system -- and ensures all insurance holders receive the latest information about changes affecting their coverage.

The goal is for all Navy members to provide beneficiary name(s), share(s) of proceeds and certify their record with a digital signature by April 2018.

Navy Updates Selective Reenlistment Bonus Plan

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson visits Naval Base Ventura County. During his visit, CNO held an all-hands call, conducted a reenlistment, and toured various facilities and tenant commands. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathan Laird/Released) From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy updated the Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) award plan for active component (AC) and full time support (FTS) Sailors in NAVADMIN 032/18 released Feb. 15.

This NAVADMIN updates NAVADMIN 311/17, adding award levels for 39 skills in 24 ratings and increasing one award level. There are no decreases or deletions of skills in this update.

In addition, this NAVADMIN provides Sailors more flexibility, by expanding the eligibility window to reenlist for SRB from 90 days to 180 days before a Sailor's EAOS. However, Sailors who are nuclear qualified, have an early promote on their most recent regular periodic evaluation or are eligible for combat zone tax exclusion are authorized to reenlist any time during the fiscal year of their EAOS, per this NAVADMIN.

Eligible Sailors desiring SRB reenlistment are encouraged to work with their command career counselors, command master chiefs and chains of command to discuss timing of reenlistment and procedures well before their EAOS. Requests are required to be submitted a minimum of 35 days prior to the requested reenlistment date.

SRB serves as an incentive for those Sailors with critical skills and experience to remain in the Navy.

Enlisted community managers continuously monitor the health of their communities to maintain acceptable manning levels in critical skills, and recommend adjustments to SRBs when necessary.

Sailors can stay informed of award changes through the Navy's SRB webpage at http://www. public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/career/enlistedcareeradmin/Pages/SRB.aspx/ and review the NAVADMIN for a complete listing of changes to skills award levels eligible for SRBs.

While the SOES enables active duty and eligible reserve members to manage their group and family coverage online, there are some Sailors who shouldn't use the system. Sailors who already have a testamentary trust or a testamentary custodial account created by a Regional Legal Service Office (RLSO) attorney should not use SOES to update their SGLI designations. Sailors with a testamentary trust or a testamentary custodial account who have registered with SOES should see their RLSO to reinstate their trust and/or account. Sailors interested in creating a testamentary trust or a testamentary custodial account should also see their RLSO and not use the SOES. Here's how to input beneficiary information in SOES: 1. Visit www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect.

2. Sign into milConnect on this page with your command access card (CAC). The green button is located in the upper right corner.

3. After signing in, you will be sent back to the milConnect front page. The menu bar will now display multiple options, one of which is 'BENEFITS.' 4. Click on the 'BENEFITS' drop-down menu and click on 'LIFE INSURANCE (SOES-SGLI Online Enrollment System).'

5. On the following page, scroll down to the blue continue button and click it (you may have to do so twice).

6. The following page provides you with your current Defense Eligibility Enrollment System (DEERS) information that must be verified. When finished reviewing, click continue.

7. The following page is where you can make your beneficiary selections. If this is your first time logging in, you will not see any beneficiary information listed.

This does not mean you are not covered. You remain covered if you have previously filled out and signed an SGLI paper form. Please input your beneficiary selections into SOES. 8. After making your selections, click on the 'YOUR COVERAGE' tab and select the blue 'CONFIRM AND CERTIFY' button in the bottom right.

9. The next screen will ask you to make some legal declarations. Review and check the appropriate boxes and click 'CONTINUE.' 10. You will be asked if you want to print a preview of the document. This is an uncertified copy for review.

A certified copy is available at the end of the process.

Click to continue.

11. Next, you will be asked for an electronic signature. Provide your full name and email address and click to continue.

12. The system will provide you an effective date for your SGLI election.

13. Print or email your certified document by navigating to the "Print/Save Certificate" tab.

For more information, take the online training course available at: http://www.benefits.va.gov/INSURANCE/training/SOES/SOES.htm More information about SGLI can be found at the following links: www.npc.navy.mil/support/casualty/ fsgli/Pages/default.aspx. http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/NAVADMINS/NAV2017/ NAV17085.txt

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FEBRUARY 23, 2018

A Weekend i Photos and story by

Over Presidents’ Day weekend a group of friends and I decided to travel to Slovenia to see Lake Bled in the winter. Slovenia is an economical destination, even though they use the Euro, so the trip was a relatively cheap one.

We flew into Trieste, Italy and from there rented a car and drove to Ljubljana,

the capitol of Slovenia. If you decide to drive from within Italy to Slovenia, make sure that you purchase a vignette for your car at a gas station near the border, otherwise you could end up paying a steep fine.

The drive was easy and not too long, and we started to see signs of snow almost immediately after we entered Slovenia.

Once in Ljubjana we took the time to get our bearings in the city by walking around the center and ate at a very nice restaurant for dinner. We saw restaurants that had a ton of different types of cuisines, so it isn’t difficult to find something to your taste.

The next day we drove up to Bled, which is only about 40 minutes north of Ljubljana. Bled is a town situated on the banks of the famous Lake Bled. The lake is quite beautiful in the winter, and you can tell it is a popular summer destination too

because there are a l tised for warm wea small ferry that take to a small island in t make sure to do th boat stops running i Once on the island w to the church that s part of the island. In is a bell that you can will give you good lu

FEBRUARY 23, 2018

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in Slovenia Lt. Andriana Genualdi

lot of activities adverather. We caught the es you from the shore the center of the lake, his first because the in the mid-afternoon! we climbed the steps sits atop the highest nside the church there n ring that supposedly uck for life! Addition-

ally there is a clock tower associated with the church that you can go to the top of to get spectacular views of the lake and city of Bled. We finished off our stop on Bled Island with a trip to the cafĂŠ and gift shop to drink hot chocolate and warm up.

Back in Bled we also enjoyed a delicious lunch and visited the castle. Bled Castle is a museum about the history of the area, the history of the castle, and offers some interactive exhibits and more great views of the lake.

We spent the morning of the next day in Ljubljana exploring. We went to the tribridge, we also saw the dragon bridge, and visited the Ljubljana Castle in the snow all before getting back on the road to Italy. By the time we got to Trieste we only had a short amount of time to walk around in the evening before going to dinner. The night we were there was very

windy, but we pushed through and visited the Piazza UnitĂ by the seafront before ducking inside out of the wind.

I would definitely go back to Slovenia and Lake Bled to see it in the summer time as well, the cost of food and lodging makes Slovenia an easy decision for a quick vacation.

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FEBRUARY 23, 2018

NAS SIGONELLA COMMUNITY PAGE All Hands News Bulletin:

DRUG EDUCATION FOR YOUTH (DEFY)

From U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella

Command, Department or Organization: Sigonella DEFY Program Point of Contact Names: MA1 Klimek, Franklin & MA1 Brooks, Jerry Point of Contact Phone Number: 340-661-2413 & 348-113-3564 Point of Contact Email Address: Franklin.klimek@eu.navy.mil or Jerry.brooks@ eu.navy.mil Additional Information: DEFY is accepting applications for volunteers to assist in a two-phase program that promotes team building, goal setting and increased self-confidence for our 9-12 year olds. Volunteer for a 8-day summer camp one Saturday a month for 9 months youth mentoring program. Tentative Summer Camp is Saturday June 23rd-Saturday June 30th.

Application Deadline for volunteers is 01 April 2018.

As the hospital continues construction, the entrance to the Emergency Department will be undergoing some changes beginning March 1st.

During this time patients for the Emergency Department may be directed to enter through the loading dock area behind the hospital. There will be signs placed outside directing visitors to the Patient Parking spots and then internally to reach the Emergency Department. This area will be manned after hours to ensure the facilities and safety of visitors. Our Emergency Response capabilities will not be affected by this construction. Should members of the community require Emergency Medical Services Response please call 624-1911, or 095-86-1911. Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we work to improve our services to the Sigonella Community.

Volunteer positions available: Training Coordinator, Health Care Supervisor, Public Affairs Liaison and Mentors.

Sigonella Religious Ministries Department Worship Services NAS 1 Mondays AA Meeting:

1800-1900

Tuesdays Protestant Women of the Chapel: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0900-1100 Daily Mass: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1130-1230 AWANA: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1645-1900 Youth for Christ (YFC) Youth Meeting: . . . . . . . . . . . 1200-1430 Wednesdays Protestant Men of the Chapel: .0600-0700

Daily Mass: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1130-1230 Catholic Ladies' Guild (3rd Wednesday): . . . . . . . . . . 1600-1800 Thursdays Daily Mass: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1130-1230 Youth for Christ (YFC) Youth Meeting: . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1200-1530 Choir Practice: . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1630-1800 The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1800-2030

Phone Numbers: NAS I 095-56-3975, NAS II 095-86-9049, Chaplain Duty: 335-831-4493, RP Duty: 335-786-1950.

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Naval Air Station Sigonella Chapel

Saturdays First Saturday Rosary and Mass: . . . . . . . . . . 1100-1200 Liturgical Protestant Service NAS I Chapel - . . . . . . . . . . . 1800 Sundays Catholic Mass: . . . . 0900-1000 Catholic Religious Education (DoDDS):.

1045-1200

Fridays Daily Mass: . . . . . . . . . . 1130-1230 First Friday Mass and Holy Hour:. . . . . . . . 1700-1830

Protestant Service: . . . . . . . 1100-1200 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1330-1600

NAS 2

Wednesdays Knights of Columbus (1st Wednesdays): . . . . . . . . . . . 1700-1800 Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1800-2100 Thursdays AA Meeting: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1800-1900 Sundays Protestant Service and Fellowship: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1800-2000

Weekly Traffic Report: Feb. 12 - Feb. 19, 2018

As a reminder to everyone: There are no PTUs allowed at the Galley. Appropriate athletic gear is authorized at the discretion of the Galley staff. Please remember that for sanitation purposes and for the consideration of other customers, if you have been out for PT, been working out at the gym, or have just been engaged in any physical activity where you and or your clothing has become soiled or sweaty you will be asked to turn around.

FEBRUARY 23, 2018

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FEBRUARY 23, 2018

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FEBRUARY 23, 2018

GAMEZONE FOOTWORK FORMATIONS FOUL GAME HITTER KILL KNEE PADS LIBERO MATCH OFFENCE PASS PLAYERS POINTS

QUICK HIT RALLY REFEREE ROTATION SAVE SCORE SERVE SETS SETTER SHANK SHOT SIDELINES SIDE OUT

SKY BALL SLIDE SPIKING SPORT SUBSTITUTION TANDEM TEAMS TOPSPIN TRAJECTORY VERTICAL JUMP WEAK SIDE WIPE

MEDIUM

APPROACH ASSIST ATTACK BLOCKING BUMP CAPTAIN COACH COURT DEFENCE DOUBLE HIT DUMP FAULT FLOATER

EASY

Find and circle all of the words that are hidden in the grid.

The remaining 39 letters spell a secret message.

DIFFICULT

Volleyball

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FEBRUARY 23, 2018

NAS Sigonella Conducts Command Fitness Leader Course Story and Photos

by MC3 Matthew Young

NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Ship, shipmate, self. Sailors are taught this from day one in the Navy. This phrase echoes true across all spectrums of our work; from those out at sea, such as the Sailors aboard the USS Preble (DDG88), to those like Lt. Michael Murphy, who made the ultimate sacrifice to save others. Without your ship and fellow Sailors, you would be alone and lost at sea. The importance of teamwork cannot be under stated in the Navy, it’s how we function, and to function properly, we need our leaders.

When we think of great leaders, people like President Obama or General George S. Patton come to mind, but how about someone like your Command Fitness Leader (CFL)? You might think this is a silly comparison or that it sounds corny, and it might, until you put some thought into it.

When you have a sharp looking Sailor standing in front of you with a tight fade or crisp bun demonstrat-

ing how to properly preform a pillar bridge or a sit up, you can’t help but feel a sense of pride spark up inside of you. When you have that CFL that is there doing the same exercises you are, all the while pumping your depart-

ment up, you can’t help but push a little harder. When you see your Chief crank out those five extra push-ups because they’re so motivated, you really start to be thankful that you have someone like your CFL there for you.

Recently, a group of some of Sigonella’s finest Sailors completed the installation’s first CFL course of 2018.

The five-day course started with a Physical Readiness Test (PRT) to test the Sailors’ abilities, and make sure that they are exceeding the basic Navy standards. In addition to the PRT, the week is packed full of useful training, going over everything from Physical Readiness Information Management Systems (PRIMS) training by Chief Builder Travis Young, to nutrition training by the base’s dietician, Lt. Lorena Brown. The bulk of the training, however, was conducted by Joshua Burkard and Beth Sweely, both from MWR. Sailors in the course learn all of the newest information put out by the Navy as well as the newest physical training from Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling (NOFFS), taught by Heather Proctor.

You get your standard Navy training in the class, but they drill an important aspect of being a CFL into your head. That is, the CFL is there for their people. They are there to help in any way they can, to teach and educate. The CFL is there to make sure their Sailors succeed, to be that motivation, to lead from the front. The CFL is there for the Sailors and now, the fleet has 19 more.

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"ITALIAN NEWS" continued from Page 6 Palermo), and reported in the Bonfadini parliamentary inquiry, details of which are held in the national archives in Rome.

Galati’s attempts to sack his farm warden, a “man of honor” (mafioso) affiliated with Antonino Giammona, the boss of Uditore, a borough of Palermo, resulted in two replacement wardens being shot. The first was shot dead and the second, having recovered from three bullets in the back, cut a deal with Giammona.

Galati, who had reportedly spent more than 25 years building up his business in the area, fled to Naples from where he sent a detailed account of his troubles to the Minister of the Interior in Rome. Of 800 people living in Uditore, he wrote, there had been 23 killings in 1874 alone, including two women and two children. Another ten people had been wounded.

‘Men of honor’

Like Galati’s wounded warden, the safest option available to people under pressure from the mafia was to establish a relationship with their leaders – and get the most out of these connections. Niccolò Turrisi Colonna, for example, a landowner and politician whose 1864 study, Public Security in Sicily, warned that the Italian government’s brutal attempts to crush unlawfulness would only make matters worse by alienating the populace, is widely thought to have been a close associate of the aforementioned Giammona. He is also thought by some to have been the head of the mafia.

Another prominent Sicilian, Prince Pietro Mirto Seggio, hired as main warden for his farm a man named Giuseppe Fontana, the main suspect in the death of Emanuele Notarbartolo – an aristocrat, banker and a former mayor of Palermo. Notarbartolo’s assassination in 1893 is thought to be the first major mafia homicide in Sicily of a person not affiliated with a crime gang.

The Greco family – which was to become one of the biggest criminal enterprises in Italy and, in the 20th century, in the US, got its start thanks to the rent of a lemon grove extracted from the wealthy Tagliavia estate.

Like so many industries, legitimate or otherwise, the Sicilian mafia had humble beginnings, with its roots in the land. The boom in citrus fruits came at the right time for some of the more unscrupulous individuals in rural Sicily to take advantage of the lawless times and establish them as the real power in the land. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Italy's northerners and graduates live longest, health survey reveals Story by The Local A study of life expectancy in Italy reveals a "health gap" between north and south, as well

PAGE 15 as between those with and without a university degree.

Someone in the northern province of Trentino can typically expect to live three years longer than a compatriot in southern Campania, according to the National Observatory for Italy's Regional Health, while completing a higher education adds up to five years to your life expectancy. Examining nationwide data on health, the observatory found broad differences in average life expectancy between the south, where men typically live to 79.8 years and women to 84.1, and the wealthier north – especially the northeast, where people live longer on average than in any other part of Italy: 81.2 years for men and 85.6 for women.

The gap becomes even more glaring when you compare the two extremes: Florence, Italy's longest-living province with overall life expectancy of 84.1, has nearly four years on Caserta or Naples, the two provinces at the bottom of the scale where residents can expect to live to 80.1.

The north of Italy, where much of the country's industry, finance and commerce is based, consistently beats the south in almost every measure of quality of life.

Yet education can prove an even bigger indicator than geography, the health data showed.

Nationally, men with a university degree can expect to live to 82; for men with only basic schooling, the figure drops to 77. For women, it's 86 and 83 years respectively.

People without a higher education were also more likely to have at least one serious chronic health condition, especially among older age groups.

The observatory, part of the Public Health Institute at the Catholic University in Rome, said the inequalities were "too pronounced" and spoke to failings in Italy's health policies.

"The goal of creating the National Health Service, as well as looking after people's health, was to overcome the regional imbalances in the nation's social and health conditions," said scientific director Alessandro Solipaca. "But on this front the data testifies to the substantial failure of the policies adopted."

The study recommended rethinking the way funding for health services is allocated by region, as well as increasing efforts to counter poverty and tackle tax evasion, which deprives the state of much-needed resources. It also stressed the importance of strengthening the national health system rather than taking measures that would favor private insurance, which it said would only heighten existing inequalities.

Despite Italy's problems, the observatory pointed out that its health gap between graduates and non-graduates is actually smaller than in many other countries in Europe that require residents to pay for health insurance. By this measure of health equality Italy is second only to Sweden, and ahead of wealthier countries such as Finland, Norway, Denmark and Germany – a fact that the observatory said was testament to its national health service.

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FEBRUARY 23, 2018