How to Help Prevent Suicide PAGE 4
The Pope Visits Sicily PAGE 6
Sigonella's New CPOs
N A S SIG O N E L L A
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SEPTEMBER 21, 2018
Vol. 35 No. 35
NAS Sigonella Pins 24 Chiefs
Story on Page 8 Chief Logistics Specialist Meilanie Hassan receives her combination cover from retired Master Chief Logistics Specialist Carlene Maxie. (Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jessica Vargas)
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SEPTEMBER 21, 2018
THE SIGNATURE
Direct Line
CMDCM Nancy Estrada, NAS Sigonella Command Master Chief
Recently, leadership has received questions about fraternization and how that applies overseas in a small community like Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, where many ranks and paygrades live in close proximity and spouses and children form friendships. Well, to answer this most plainly, there is no difference in the application of fraternization policies due to location of duty station. In its most fundamental definition, fraternization is a relationship that compromises the chain of command or good order and discipline. To apply this to the Sigonella community, there are several instructions that are relevant. Starting with the Uniform Code of Military Justice; unduly familiar relationships between officers and enlisted and/or those in a direct chain of command are prohibited. Each service has also promulgated additional guidance. Air Force regulations state that fraternization extends beyond organizational and chain of command lines to include members of different services or different Air Force components. Army regulations state that soldiers of different grades must be
cognizant that their interactions do not create an actual or predictable perception of undue familiarity between and officer and junior enlisted, or between a NCO and a junior enlisted soldier. And Navy regulations prohibit members from engaging in unduly familiar personal relationships—under the guidance already stated—regardless of the service affiliation of the other person, including members of foreign military services. So, what does that mean to little Joe and Sally Jr. who are besties in the 3rd grade here? Absolutely nothing! Fraternization policies to not apply to dependents. That being said, how does this apply to little Joe and Sally Jr.’s parents? Well, that depends. Keeping things simple, all of the above rules apply. But what if little Joe’s mom is a Warrant Officer and Sally Jr.’s dad is a junior enlisted from a different command and they want to have a joint birthday party for the two besties? Again, this shouldn’t be an issue as long as things are kept professional and the differences in rank are respected. Now, what if little Joe’s mom is rent-
ing a beach house and invites Sally Jr.’s parents to stay for the weekend? They should probably just say no or at least get their own separate vacation house nearby. Another scenario: what if Airman Timmy is in the same men’s group at church as his Senior Enlisted Leader? Again, this isn’t a problem as long as both stay professional and it doesn’t create any perceptions of favoritism. The men’s church group is open to any participants who are interested, similar to a supervisor inviting their entire work division over for a BBQ. Because all junior personnel have the opportunity to attend, the situation does not constitute fraternization. If that supervisor instead invites only one or two subordinates who share common interests, this would violate fraternization regulations. Still, even if a command function initially meets fraternization standards, the situation could still devolve if we add a few gallons of liquor and a few people forget about everything but pheromones, all decorum going out the window. This is probably obvious,
but this situation would also place the host in a bad position. If this situation presents itself, it would be a good opportunity for bystander intervention to ensure that everyone is still happy and employed for the foreseeable future! Of course, there are numerous social scenarios that can present themselves, and sometimes interpreting fraternization rules is to delve into murky territory. If you have any questions on what might cross the line into fraternization, you can always speak with your command leadership, a Command Equal Opportunity Advisor, or base Legal for advice.
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 Marinai Bathroom Windows:
I have received a comment from a new resident concerning the lack of privacy of the bathroom windows in Marinai Family Housing. Allow me to update you on the solution Housing has developed.
Response:
Thank you for your comment, I want you to know that the Housing program takes all issues seriously. The bathroom windows have been in place since 2004 and meet American and Italian building codes. At your suggestion, we have added the issue of window transparency into the new resident walk thru brief, and have identified a long-term solution that will create more privacy for Marinai residents. Privacy film will be applied to the windows, and all 526 units will eventually receive the treatment. The film will be automatically applied to the bathroom windows during the change of occupancy for each unit. In the meantime, anyone who wants film on their windows now or needs more information can contact the Marinai housing office at DSN 624-1731. Feel free to email the installation Housing Director, Peter Faulk, at peter.faulk@eu.navy.mil at any time.
Comment Regarding Working Hours:
Is there an instruction or regulation that governs the length of working hours when combined with on call duty hours? I ask because recently, my command’s leadership decided to have us work a normal 9-hour shift from 0700 to 1600 and afterwards have us in on-call duty status but staying in our office until 0800 the next morning. But it doesn’t stop there, we then have to work the next day until 1600. I think I remember reading in my Blue Jacket Manual that there is a limit on total working hours. I have no problem putting in a hard day’s work but I want to be able to drive home safely at the end. We are subjected to this new schedule twice a week. I feel like volunteering to go on Auxiliary Security Force (ASF) to get more time off. Your help is appreciated. I’d rather not bring this up to my chain of command because they rarely listen to what the junior personnel express as concerns. Thank you kindly.
Response:
Thank you for your question regarding regulations in workload. Certainly, I want to make sure that service members are not excessively worked and can maintain their physical and mental strength. Shore duty, in the grand scheme, is generally considered a time when a service member can have a more predictable schedule and recharge before or after a tough sea tour.
In that light, the Navy has issued guidance on what commands should consider when determining appropriate work schedules. OPNAVINST 1000.16L details this guidance and outlines that generally, shore manpower schedules should approximate a five-day, 40-hour work week. Even so, some shore-based commands have watch sections, and the instruction states that each duty section must be the minimum manning necessary to ensure the safety, security, and performance of required functions. It also recommends that shore-based commands strive to maintain no less than four duty sections unless precluded by urgent and extreme circumstances. These guidelines are just that; they are for planning purposes only and are neither restrictive nor binding on commanders or commanding officers in establishing individual working hours. Under certain circumstances, it might be necessary to exceed the recommended hours. However, extending working hours on a routine basis can adversely affect unit morale, retention, and safety. Therefore such extensions should be avoided unless operational necessity dictates otherwise. Without knowing all the details about your situation, I encourage you to, if you believe the recurrence is excessive and a threat to your safety, address the issue first with your chain of command and raise the issue higher if necessary. In addition, service members are encouraged to think creatively about watch bill solutions and propose changes to their command. It is difficult for me to address a specific department or chain of command without any follow on contact information, so I urge you to resubmit your comment with your contact information so we can address your specific situation.
Comment Regarding Autumnfest Vendor Costs:
Sir, I have a major issue to address regarding MWR and Autumnfest. Every year my organization participates in MWR’s Autumnfest and Independence Day events. Autumnfest is the main fundraiser that generates the most money for my organization every year. At first the booth price was quite reasonable at $150. Then it increased to $250, $275, and so on. This year, MWR is charging organizations $300 to participate. We still get the same amount of table, chairs, electricity, and the same booths, but the cost has doubled. In addition, they have cut the number of days that we can actually serve food. Before it was a two-day event. That means we had two whole days to recoup the funds we spent on the booth fee and food, but this year food can only be served on one day. That means that because my organization will need to pay $300 for
"ICE" continued on Page 3
SEPTEMBER 21, 2018
THE SIGNATURE
Airman in the Spotlight Name: Air Force Staff Sgt. Roberto Barragan Department: U.S. Transportation Command Defense Courier Station Hometown: Santa Maria, California When it comes to transporting sensitive material for the United States and its allies anywhere around the world, it takes Airmen like Staff Sgt. Roberto Barragan to ensure that the mission is completed securely, timely, and efficiently. As a Department of Defense courier, Staff Sgt. Barragan has successfully completed 24 secure transport missions traveling more than 47,000 miles around the world. Defense Courier Station Sigonella provides courier services to customers across the European, African, Central Command, and Mediterranean Areas of Responsibility. Whether it’s intelligence to a lone operator in Afghanistan or cryptologic material to assist a nuclear submarine while underway, couriers deliver the most critical material worldwide. Each mission requires two-person control (TPC) of material whether the material is being accepted, delivered, or transported. Compromise of such sensitive missions could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security and cost the government millions of dollars. “As a courier, I feel a sense of pride and honor to be trusted to do such an important mission,” said Barragan. “I
also love the traveling opportunities that come along with doing this job. I’ve been able to visit quite a few countries.” When Barragan is not traveling on a courier mission around the world, he is the Physical Training Leader (PTL) for his command. A PTL ensures that all Airmen maintain Air Force fitness standards. “I really enjoy running and fitness,” said Barragan, who runs at least 12 miles a week. “Being able to do something I love while also helping my fellow Airmen with physical fitness is a plus. It builds morale and comradery
"ICE" continued from Page 2 the booth fee plus about $1,000 in food supplies, we will have to sell at least $1,300 in five hours just to break even. I even heard they are allowing a single vendor to sell German food on Friday while the rest of us have to settle for only Saturday food sales.
Response:
Thank you for voicing your concerns regarding the food vendor fees associated with this year's Autumnfest event. MWR is happy to hear that this is your main fundraiser and generates the most money for your organization every year. This is exactly why we open this up to organizations to fundraise and for it to enhance the overall event for the Sigonella community. At our most recent special event for Independence Day, the food vendor booth was $325 and we had 16 food vendors participate. Like Autumnfest; Red, White, and Boom was also a one-day event with the same base access limitations. As far as the price being raised from past events, there has been an increase which only covers the expenses associated with the tent rental and electricity charges. MWR does not make any profit on the funds generated from food booth fees. On Friday, 19 Oct., MWR will be hosting an Oktoberfest style event. MWR will be selling food at that event to help offset the costs associated with only that portion of the event. They will not be giving that opportunity to an outside vendor as stated in your comment. Again, MWR does not make a profit on these special events. MWR commits a lot of financial resources to make these events a success for our community as a whole.
whenever we do physical training together.” When off duty, Barragan takes college classes in pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. After he completes his enlistment, he hopes to return to California to open a wood-fired pizza restaurant or lawn and gardening business. “I enjoy entrepreneurship, and the Air Force has set a great foundation for me to become a business owner when I get out,” said Barragan. “The leadership, management, and organization skills that I’ve gained while being in can’t be beat.”
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THE SIGNATURE U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA 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 Assistant Public Affairs Officer Janine Scianna janine.scianna@eu.navy.mil Community Relations Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta alberto.lunetta.it@eu.navy.mil Editor MCC Jessica Vargas Jessica.Vargas@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
For additional questions or concerns regarding Autumnfest or other MWR Special Events, please contact the MWR Community Recreation Director, Bill Gatlin, at 624-4941 or William.gatlin@eu.navy.mil
BZ for Security:
I would like to give a Bravo Zulu to the MAs working at our three gates. Over the years, I have seen a mix of MAs who seemed disgruntled or, at the very least, bored. Asking them “How are you?” was often met with a sarcastic “peachy” or “living the dream.” I’m not sure if there has been new training or a turnover in personnel, but the last few months have been noticeably different. MAs manning the gates have been professional, courteous, and attentive. This change proudly represents our installation and makes a routine interaction much more pleasant.
Response:
Thank you for your positive feedback and for also taking the time to greet the MAs at the gates. The Security Department is continually training their Sailors to be professional and maintain the highest standards of military bearing, regardless of the long hours and environmental elements in which they are exposed to on a daily basis. Simultaneously serving as NAS Sigonella’s first line of defense while providing excellent customer service support is what the Security Department strives to achieve. Again, thank you for your comment and if you have any additional questions, please contact the Security Officer, LCDR Richmond, at 624-6063.
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 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 preceeding 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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SEPTEMBER 21, 2018
Suicide Awareness and Prevention: Every Sailor, Every Day By HM3 Jada Compton
Every day, each of us has the opportunity to encourage and support our fellow shipmates and Marines in navigating life’s challenges. Often, we experience emotional events that can influence our everyday lives. Whether it is caused by the death of a family member, the environment, or mental illness, feelings of depression can become difficult and almost seem impossible to handle. Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month serves as an opportunity to guide service members and civilian personnel in the right direction of utilizing available resources to manage difficult situations. Help Yourself Everyone experiences stressors. You can’t always avoid the tensions that occur in our everyday lives, but there are steps you can take to manage them. Stress can contribute to problems such as headaches, sleep disturbances, short temper, and difficulty concentrating. Left untreated, chronic stress can result in anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure, and depression. To magnify the problem, people who experience stress often deal with it in unhealthy ways. Habits that people often turn to are overeating, smoking, or abusing drugs and alcohol. Start being proactive by switching your daily routines and behaviors to promote a more positive, healthy lifestyle. Take the time to care for yourself by eating well-balanced, nutritious meals. Exercise is also a behavioral intervention that has shown to be effective in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression. Keep your mind sharp and free from tension with 60 minutes of exercise a day. This will help you be better prepared to take on life’s stressful situations and get you physically
fit, too. Getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night can improve your memory and your mood; allowing you to keep a positive outlook. Practice mindfulness meditation, which help to create stress-free environments wherever you may be. By making these positive daily behavior changes, you are taking control of your mental health while simultaneously strengthening your mind and body. If none of these ideas help reduce your stress levels, visit the Navy Operation Stress Control Blog located on the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center webpage. Here you can find additional stress control resources. It is important to get help as soon as you feel unable to manage your stress levels. If stressors build up and life around you becomes overwhelming, reach out for help. Talk to your chain of command, a friend, or utilize an available hotline. You can call the Military Crisis hotline at 1-800-273 TALK, Military OneSource at 1-800-342-9647, or the Marine DSTRESS hotline, which is an anonymous phone counseling service at 1-877-476-7734. Don’t be afraid to speak up. There is always somebody there for you that wants to help. Reaching out and accepting help is a sign of strength and ultimately enhances mission readiness. Help Others Suicide is a growing epidemic in the United States; in 2013, suicide was the second leading cause of death for those aged 15-34. And for every one suicide death, there are at least 25
suicide attempts. Understanding the warning signs and risk factors can help identify others in need and allow for early interventions. To help with the recognition of individuals who may be at risk of committing suicide, there are signs to look out for. Some of these signs include individuals with previous suicide attempts, individuals who feel extremely helpless or have no one to turn to, and people who isolate themselves from social gatherings or get-togethers. Additional risk factors include people who have lost someone
close to them, individuals that speak out loud about wanting to commit suicide, depressed individuals, and people who depend upon or abuse drugs and alcohol. Use the acronym “ISPATHWARM” to help determine if someone’s actions or words might be indicators of a suicide threat. If you or someone you know is in a crisis whether that is anxiety, depression, anger or any number of situations, seek assistance and know you are not alone in the fight against mental health.
SEPTEMBER 21, 2018
THE SIGNATURE
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Congressmen Visit NAS Sigonella
SIGONELLA, Sicily (September 17, 2018) Capt. Brent Trickel (right), commanding officer of Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, briefs members of the House Appropriations Committee on the installation’s mission and importance to the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Andriana Genualdi/Released)
SIGONELLA, Sicily (September 17, 2018) Members of the House Appropriations Committee meet Marines deployed to NAS Sigonella. From left: Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), Chairman, House Appropriations Committee; Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA), Vice Chair, House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee; and Rep. Peter Visclosky (D-IN), Ranking Member, House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee (Photo by Janine Scianna)
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SEPTEMBER 21, 2018
THE SIGNATURE
Pope Francis Denounces Italian Mafia
NCTS Volunteers Donate School Supplies to Catania Students
From The Quartzy
Pope Francis slammed the mafia’s “blasphemous” existence on Saturday during a visit to Palermo, Sicily to honor a priest murdered by the mob 25 years ago while trying to save youngsters in poor neighborhoods from falling into their hands. The brief visit was part of a wider campaign he has been waging against organized crime. “You can’t believe in God and belong to the mafia. Those who belong to the mafia don’t lead a Christian existence because their lives are blasphemous,” he said at an open-air mass near Palermo’s port, where some 100,000 had gathered according to official estimates. “Change! Stop thinking about yourselves and your money, convert!” Mafiosi are often practicing members and benefactors of Catholic parishes. His impassioned plea echoed the words of Jean Paul II who, during a May 1993 trip to the island, had also called on mobsters to abandon crime and urged Sicilians to revolt against the mafia. The mobsters responded two months later with attacks on two Catholic churches. Saturday’s homily was held in honor of Father Giuseppe “Pino” Puglisi, who served as parish priest in the rough Palermo neighborhood of Brancaccio for two years, trying to engage local youngsters and keep them away from drugs and the mafia suppliers. But on September 15, 1993 — his 56th birthday — he was shot dead at point-blank range. “I was waiting for you,” he reportedly said with a smile before dying on the doorstep of his modest home in Brancaccio, a neighborhood Francis visited after celebrating mass. His murder came as Italy was still reeling from the killings of two anti-mafia judges. In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI officially recognized Puglisi as a martyr, “killed by hatred of the faith”. The following year he was beatified, in the first step on the path to sainthood within the Roman Catholic church. Since becoming pope in 2013, Francis has openly confronted the mafia and called on the faithful to stop all collaboration with them. Prior to arriving in Palermo, Francis also stopped in Piazza Armerina, a small town in central Sicily. “The wounds which afflict you are many, and they have a name: social and cultural under-development, the exploitation of workers and a lack of decent work for young people,” he said to widespread applause.
Florence Bans Eating in Streets of Historic City Center From The Independent
Visitors to Florence’s historic city center could face fines of up to £450 ($588) for eating in its streets. The new ruling, which came into force on 4 Sept., is part of an effort to reduce congestion in the narrow streets of the city. Tourists tend to crowd around food outlets in these areas, making access difficult. Four streets – Via de› Neri, Piazzale degli Uffizi, Piazza del Grano and Via della Ninna – are affected by the new law, which will remain in place for four months. The restrictions will apply from 12-3pm and from 6-10pm, peak-eating times, and are also hoped to reduce litter. A bilingual sign, directing visitors to “respect residents, traders, and workers of this street” has been circulated to local businesses, who have been advised to display the flyer prominently, according to The Local. Many local residents are frustrated with the influx of tourists who congregate in the historic streets, which house one of Florence’s most popular sandwich shops, All›Antico Vinaio, and the busy Gelateria dei Neri. Neither establishment reportedly has the space to accommodate the high volume of visitors that flock to the respected eateries. Roberta Pieraccioni, the President of the Via de’ Neri residents
"ITALIAN NEWS" continued on Page 14
Photo by NCTS Sicily First Class Petty Officer Association By Alberto Lunetta NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
CATANIA, Sicily – September 13 was a special first day of school for some Catania Battisti School students who were surprised to meet a group of Sigonella Sailors from the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station (NCTS) First Class Petty Officer Association. Sigonella volunteers, who adopt-
ed the school last year, wanted to make sure that the children would have enough school supplies. So, they donated pencils, crayons, notebooks, markers, erasers, chalk, sharpeners, and colored pencils. Principal Maria Paola Iaquinta said she was grateful for the volunteers' generosity in distributing the donations and for last week's painting projects aimed at improving the school's environment.
SEPTEMBER 21, 2018
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THE SIGNATURE
U.S. Northern Command Positioned to Respond Following Hurricane Florence From North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (NNS) -United States Northern Command, its component and subordinate commands, Department of Defense partners, the military services and the National Guard are actively supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency, states and local partners in response to the recently-downgraded Hurricane Florence. "We have quite literally surrounded the affected area with DoD capability that will be critical in hours and days following the storm's impact. Secretary Mattis' guidance to me is clear: We are anticipating the needs,” said Gen. Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command commander. “We are moving forward under our own authorities to be able to respond as soon as a request is made.” Below is an updated summary of DoD’s support to FEMA, state and local partners: USNORTHCOM is positioned to provide support, as requested, via sea, air and land. It has identified a total of nine military installations as FEMA staging areas for equipment and relief supplies including: Fort AP Hill and Fort Lee, Virginia; Fort Bragg and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina; North Auxiliary Airfield and Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina; Fort Gordon, Georgia; Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama; and Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.
NORFOLK (September 10, 2018) Sailors assigned to Naval Support Activity (NSA) Hampton Roads fill and distribute sandbags in preparation for Hurricane Florence (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class J.M. Tolbert/Released)
U.S. Army North Commander Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan has been named USNORTHCOM's lead component commander and will serve as the Joint Force Land Component commander. Air Force Northern is the lead component for USNORTHCOM for search and rescue, and has pos-
tured approximately 20 helicopters and crews for this effort. USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and USS Arlington (LPD 24) will move in as conditions permit. Additionally,
“HURRICANE” continued on Page 15
Anchor Up: Sailors Become Chief Petty Officers on Pinning Day By Yonca Poyraz-Dogan Navy Office of Information Public Affairs
YOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 14, 2018) Newly appointed chief petty officers march in formation before being pinned with their anchors during the 2018 USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and U.S. 7th Fleet Chief Petty Officer Pinning ceremony at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka. A total of 13 Sailors were promoted to the rank of chief petty officer during the ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Patrick Semales/Released)
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- In unique ceremonies around the world Friday, nearly 4,700 Sailors became chief petty officers (CPO) as they pinned anchors and advanced to the rank of chiefs. One such ceremony was at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., where 32 chief selects received their anchors. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson delivered a keynote speech at the event in which he said the appropriate word for the Sailors on that special day is “becoming” not “being” since “becoming” represents dynamism. “Becoming a fighting Navy chief means becoming an effective combat leader. Period. Becoming a fighting Navy chief means getting your teams ready to fight – better than they've ever fought before. Period. Becoming a fighting Navy chief means getting you and your team ready to put the enemy on the
bottom of the ocean. And you sail away with your team – alive. Period,” he said. Richardson also said that a fighting Navy chief never stops growing and needs to learn as the jobs and technology change. “You need to learn. You need to be an expert at what you do. You learn and you teach,” he added ending his remarks with a call to action, “I’ll see you in the fleet, let’s get to work.” Family members, friends and mentors were invited to the stage to help complete each new chief ’s crisp khaki uniform by pinning anchors on their collars and donning their covers. Meanwhile, in Spain, Naval Station Rota welcomed 32 Sailors and three Air Force technical sergeants to the CPO ranks during a pinning ceremony held at the installation’s community recreation center Seaview Pines. “Today’s ceremony is more than just a chief petty officer’s pinning,” said Master
“Pinning Day” continued on Page 15
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THE SIGNATURE
SEPTEMBER 21, 2018
Sigonella Sailors Becom
Story by Lt. Andriana Genualdi Photos by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jessica V NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
24 chief petty officer combination covers line the stage prior to the pinning ceremony. Each chief select is presented their combination cover and anchors during the ceremony
The newly pinned chief petty officers sing “Anchors Aweigh” during the FY 2019 chief petty officer pinning ceremony.
September 14 was a proud day at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sig as 23 Sailors and one Air Force master sergeant were welcome the ranks of chief petty officers (CPO) during a pinning cer held at the NAS I gym. For the past six weeks, you may have noticed the chief around the base wearing a ‘selectee’ name tag, a backpack, an rying the tell-tale wooden box, or “vessel,” that houses their book. These men and women were set on the path to receivin anchors with the announcement of the CPO selection results. This moment was what these selects had been working to The master of ceremonies was Executive Transport Detachmen nella Command Senior Chief Ernest Riddler. Riddler had som gnant words for the CPO selectees as he kicked off the ceremo great chief does not earn their anchors once, they earn them day.” The guest speaker, United States European Command Fleet M Chief Crispian Addington, offered some of the wisdom of his 3 years of service to the selects. “I’m so proud to have been part of the final night of thes petty officers standing here beside me,” Addington said. “They a our future leaders, they are our current Navy leaders.” As many do, Addington spoke about the history of CPOs Navy; however, he focused on the evolution of what we now
Chief Naval Naval Air crewman Cinnamon Souza receives her anch Souza and Chief Colby Williams.
SEPTEMBER 21, 2018
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PAGE 9
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as CPO initiation. Not only did chief initiation used to take place monthly on a rolling basis, it was also a more rowdy affair that was focused less on learning and training and more on fun and games. “I learned the term ‘humble’ very well; I did not learn much else,” said Addington of his own initiation experience in 1995. A series of dedicated and focused Master Chief Petty Officers of the Navy (MCPONs), over the course of time, helped mold CPO initiation into the valuable teambuilding and heritage training it is today. CPO training now encompasses PT and focused training on the four core competencies of leading Sailors, developing enlisted Sailors and junior officers, communicating core values, and supporting the chain of command. New MCPONs continue to offer their mission, vision, and guiding principles to ensure that CPO initiation remains relevant and useful to the Sailors who go through it. “Chief petty officers always have, and always will, fill the gaps in training and education as they arise,” said Addington. Finally, the selects approached the front of the stage in pairs and were pinned, each in their turn, by family, friends, and fellow chiefs. Now proudly wearing their gold fouled anchors (the emblem of the chief petty officer) and with their khaki combination cover placed on their head, the new chiefs marched through the side boys and were rung into the CPO mess. The new chiefs took their place in the ranks alongside the NAS Sigonella CPO Mess. When the last bell had been rung and the last whistle piped, NAS Sigonella’s CPO population was 24 chiefs stronger. The newly augmented CPO mess sang one last rendition of ‘Anchors Aweigh’ before shouting: Navy Chief, Navy Pride!
hors from Senior Chief Rich
The Sigonella Middle High school Navy Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps parades the colors during the FY 2019 chief petty officer pinning ceremony at the NAS I Gym.
FY19 New Chief Petty Officers
The FY 2019 Chief Petty Officers, Class 125 pennant is displayed near the stage during the pinning ceremony
Congratulations to our newest chief petty officers! AEC Joshua Boyts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrol Squadron (VP) 10 AOC Luis Carrillo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrol Squadron (VP) 10 MAC Gerald Cotter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NAS Sigonella MAC Richard Deboer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NAS Sigonella OSC Vanina Dubose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Commander, Task Force 67 HMC Allen Ennis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella ADC Emmanuel Esquivel . . . . . . . Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department LSC Meilanie Hassan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center PSC Tyler Hendrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Personnel Support Detachment STSC Shawn Hoehn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella HMC Rosanna Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella ITC Brennan Kane . . . . . . . . . . . . Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station EOC Michael Leukhardt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Public Works Department CEC Malcolm Marcewicz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CNE DETMAST AMC Douglas Pistone . . . . . . . . . . Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department MMC Luis Rosario . . . . . . . . . . . . Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department MSGT Justin Royse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7th Reconnaisance Squadron LSC Claudia Salas Cabrera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NAS Sigonella HMC Steve Simms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella AWOC Cinnamon Souza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrol Squadron (VP) 10 HMC Matthew Thompson . . . . . . Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force BUC William Travis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NAS Sigonella ITC Emmett Walther . . . . . . . . . Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station ATC Charles Weidman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrol Squadron (VP) 10
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SEPTEMBER 21, 2018
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NAS SIGONELLA COMMUNITY PAGE All Hands News Bulletin:
NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE GROUP 10 RECRUITING
SUICIDE AWARENESS RUN AND RESOURCE FAIR
Command, Department or Organization: Command Career Counselor Date of Event: 24 Sep 2018 Time of Event: 1000 and 1330 Location of Event: NAS I Movie Theater (morning brief) and NAS II Bldg 618 2nd floor (afternoon brief) Point of Contact Name: NC1 Vite Point of Contact Phone Number: 624-5924 Point of Contact Email Address: Roberto.vite@eu.navy.mil Additional Information: NSWG-10, Special Reconnaissance Teams 1 & 2 are looking for motivated Sailors to support warfighting groups of Naval Special Warfare. It is important to understand that they are not recruiting Sailors to be SEALS, but to support them. They are looking for Sailors in the following rates: AD, AE, AM, AT, AZ, AWS, AWO, AWF, AWR, AWV, BU, CTI, CTN, CTR, CTT, CTM, ET, GM, HM (8425 AND 8404), IS (3910, 3912, 3913), IT (2791, 9613, 5306, 5307), LS, MA, NC, OS, YN, PS.
Command, Department or Organization: NASSIG Suicide Prevention Team Date of Event: September 28, 2018 Time of Event: 0700 Location of Event: Outside NAS II Gym Point of Contact Name: Chaplain Hervey/Chief Jessica Vargas/Chief Parsons Point of Contact Phone Number: 624-3975/624-5440/624-2536 Point of Contact Email Address: Steven.Hervey@eu.navy.mil/jessica.vargas@ eu.navy.mil/matthew.parsons@eu.navy.mil Additional Information: A 3 mile run conducted in 22 heats totaling 66 miles. The heats will start in a waterfall fashion in 30 second intervals so the run will be complete by 0800. The 22 heats represent the number of veterans who die by suicide each day, the 66 miles represent the 65 Sailors who died by suicide in 2017. The 66th mile "Extra Mile" is a reminder of our commitment doing our part in preventing suicide. Registration for the run will be on the day of event from 0600-0645.
Sigonella Religious Ministries Department Worship Services NAS 1 Tuesday Protestant Women of the Chapel: 0900-1100 Daily Mass: 1130-1200 Chapel Youth Middle School: 1445-1615 AWANA: 1645-1900 Wednesday Protestant Men of the Chapel: Daily Mass:
0600-0700 1130-1200
Thursday 1330-1500 Chapel Youth High School: Choir Practice: 1545-1700 The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: 1800-2030 Friday Daily Mass: 1130-1200 First Friday Mass and Holy Hour: 1700-1830
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
Saturday First Saturday Rosary and Mass:
1100-1200
Sunday Catholic Mass: 0900-1000 Catholic Religious Education: 1045-1200 1100-1200 Protestant Service: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: 1330-1600
NAS 2 Tuesday AA: 1730-1830 Wednesday Protestant Women of the Chapel: 1830-2100 Thursday Daily Mass:
1130-1200
Weekly Traffic Report: September 10 - September 17, 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.
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SEPTEMBER 21, 2018
SEPTEMBER 21, 2018
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GAMEZONE CINNAMON COOKIE DOUGH HAZELNUT LICORICE MAPLE WALNUT NEAPOLITAN
PEACH PISTACHIO PUMPKIN ROCKY ROAD STRAWBERRY VANILLA
MEDIUM
ALMOND BANANA BLUEBERRY BUTTER PECAN CHERRY CHOCOLATE
EASY
Find and circle all of the Ice Cream flavors that are hidden in the grid. The words may be hidden in any direction.
DIFFICULT
Ice Cream
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PAGE 14 "ITALIAN NEWS" continued from Page 6 committee, reportedly said that he hoped the new initiative would “restore a bit of decorum to our street.” It’s not the first time the city’s mayor has caused controversy. In summer 2017, he ordered the steps of churches in the city to be hosed down in an effort to prevent tourists from gathering to eat their food. Florence is one of a number of European visitor hotspots, such as Venice and Barcelona, attempting to achieve a fine balance between the needs of tourists and those of local residents.
'Thousands of Italian Bridges Will be in Crisis in the Next 20 Years' From The Local
The recent collapse of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa raises questions about the prospects of Italy’s more than one million concrete bridges. Italian newspapers have reported that 300 major bridges could be at risk of collapse. But an expert who inspects bridges and public infrastructure across the country says those numbers are far too conservative. «There are approximately more than one million bridges longer than three meters in Italy. If even only one per cent, a conservative estimate, are in bad condition, we can estimate that at least a thousand bridges will be in absolute crisis in the next five to twenty years,» Settimo Martinello, managing director of 4Emme, a Bolzano-based company that inspects bridges across the Italian peninsula, told The Local. Martinello says the bridges in real danger are not the marquee projects on highways – there were 1,622 bridges and viaducts longer than 100 meters in 2016, according to Italy’s Ministry for Infrastructures and Transport – but the more remote crossings and tunnels in some of Italy›s poorer and less-developed regions. The engineer Riccardo Morandi›s bridge in Agrigento, now closed, or the Allaro Bridge in Reggio Calabria are often cited as at risk. And they are, but this only obscures the bigger picture of less visible, yet degraded, bridges that are equally at risk in smaller provinces. «In some cases, a bridge will have been built 30 to 40 years ago and will never have been inspected or undergone any maintenance,» says Martinello. «To maintain them you need technical knowhow.» While Italian motorway operators, in theory, have the funds and technicians to ensure regular inspections and repairs, bridges that come under the jurisdiction of smaller regions are overlooked: smaller provinces simply don›t have the funds or technicians to implement regular inspections and maintenance. «A surgeon doesn›t operate without having studied medicine,» Martinello told The Local. Yet «there are no bridges that don›t require maintenance,» he adds. Negligence only intensifies the problem. «If you ignore them, the cost will only rise to repair them,» said Martinello. In the 1950s and 1960s, Italy underwent a construction boom like few other countries in Europe. As the nation›s industry grew, so did the country›s infrastructure network. Concrete became the elixir of construction companies. «In the 50s and 60s it was thought that concrete was an eternal material that eliminated, or at least greatly reduced, maintenance costs. However, experience and research in the decades since have refuted this hypothesis as it has been shown that even concrete undergoes degradation,» Giovanni Plizzari, a professor of engineering at the Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics at the University of Brescia, told The Local by email. These days, reinforced concrete bridges are far more durable because a bridge›s core armor can be
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made of stainless steel, be zinc-coated, or non-metallic. «These techniques, however, were not known or readily available in the 50s and 60s,» clarifies Plizzari. Cable-stayed bridges today can also withstand the collapse of the bridge if one of the stays gives way. Concrete in itself, therefore, is not necessarily the problem. An extravagant construction boom such as Italy›s in the post-war period required fast and cheap projects, which meant that in many cases construction companies used poor-quality materials and failed to observe engineering requirements. For example, the concrete cover that supports the core steel structure buried in many bridges should be 3 to 5 centimeters thick to protect it from humidity. 4Emme›s Martinello says that in some bridges the cover is only between 0 and 2 centimeters thick, which in turn invites a chemical reaction due to contact with air.When the corrosion cuts through the concrete and begins to attack a bridge›s core steel structure, you are essentially left «with a body without bones,» adds the Italian inspection expert. Such a bridge can have a healthy lifespan of up to 70 years without experiencing any problems, but once the oxidization begins, a bridge can reach a critical condition in less than two decades. Anybody who has recently driven on an Italian road will have witnessed the process Martinello describes. If a bridge has discolored black lines and bits of metal bars poking out of it, then the likelihood is that rot has set in and the clock is ticking. «Thousands of bridges will be in crisis in the next 20 years,» Martinello told The Local. The economic disparity between north and south in Italy inevitably means that southern regions are less able to manage any problems. How did this happen? Because cheap can become dangerous. «The introduction of pre-stressed reinforced concrete was initially seen as a very effective solution to reduce the considerable costs required by the maintenance of steel bridges,» Professor Plizzari told The Local. Another issue is that the weight that bridges have to withstand today is different to what was originally estimated when many bridges were built more than half a century ago. Today›s globalized world has far more heavy trucks on the move than fifty years ago. 4Emme is part of a team working on a software project, weBridge, which¬ allows local authorities to enter data about bridges under their jurisdiction and drivers to assess whether bridges on their intended route can withstand the load they are carrying. But as Martinello points out, the project born in February 2018 will only work if local authorities input the data. The essential problem that has led to the perilous situation across Italy's, and much of Europe's, infrastructure network is that cheap isn't always good. Governments, when issuing public tenders, favored, and still do, bids that emphasize the most economically efficient proposal and the fastest turnaround. This meant good quality materials and durability were often overlooked. This 'cut-price' boom invited seedy bids, often from criminal organizations, who had the disposable funds to win the bids. "Public contracts managed by real criminal networks... having within them even representatives of the contracting authority are forever more," states a study by Raffaele Cantone, the head of the Italian National Anti-Corruption Authority (ANAC), on the entrenched role of the mafia and the 'Ndrangheta in public construction works. The dramatic collapse of the Morandi Bridge has seen arguments about the role of criminal organizations in public infrastructure resurface. The Calabrian crime organization the 'Ndrangheta is powerful
SEPTEMBER 21, 2018 in the region of Liguria, where the Morandi Bridge collapsed on the A10 highway on August 14th. Martinello estimates than on average only 50 per cent of sanctioned materials actually go into major construction projects. The problem persists. "In recent years the criterion of 'biggest discount' for the choice of the winner in public tenders for infrastructure has been in frequent use," Plizzari told The Local. "This system could work in the presence of rigorous technical provisions and controls but could also lead to a significant reduction in the quality of the work if the winner then has the freedom to modify some technical choices that become vital for a company that has offered a significantly lower than normal profit margin," he adds. In short, if you want it done fast and for peanuts you're likely to pay for it later. But who should pay for what? "As we are now aware that no bridge lasts forever and that the problems are well known from a technical point of view, the real issue to be discussed – not just in Italy – is a serious program of maintenance and inspections of existing bridges," says Plizzari. 4Emme's Martinello says no comprehensive census of Italian bridges has ever been conducted. Guidelines for maintenance have been redrafted several times, although "it is one thing to write guidelines, and another to enact them," says the head of the inspection firm, which works with several Italian provinces and even Italy's government-owned motorway construction administrator ANAS. Is the tragedy of the Morandi Bridge collapse, in which 43 people died, likely to lead to a census? Plizzari argues that if the perils of the post-war construction boom are to be overcome, a national census born of political will is needed. "In the coming years, we will see (or perhaps we are already seeing) the results of the construction criteria I described before when the reduced quality of the works will begin to manifest itself due to the degradation inevitably caused by the environment," he says. The Italian government has announced that it is reviewing the 25 motorway maintenance concessions across the country with a view to nationalizing its infrastructure. The man who does the inspections isn't hopeful that a step forward will be made. "I'm convinced the government will not do anything," Martinello told The Local. "There will just be more road signs with warnings."
SEPTEMBER 21, 2018 “Pinning Day” continued from Page 7 Chief Petty Officer Brett Cummings, Naval Hospital Rota command master chief. “… regardless of the specific jobs, the specific skill set, or the specific location, these individuals are bound by the unique fraternity to which they will belong: that of the chief petty officer.” Traditionally, the pinning ceremony is held following a six-week training and testing period known as chiefs’ initiation. “I know that everyone is proud of you today,” said Capt. Michael MacNicholl, Naval Station Rota commanding officer. “You succeeded in enduring rigorous yet necessary training these past few weeks. You’ve been tested both physically and mentally. Each of you answered with determination and strength. You persevered and you worked as a team. With this promotion comes more responsibilities and more will be demanded of you. You will be the technical expert. You will be an authority and a role model.” The ceremony included the chief selects singing ‘Anchors Aweigh,’ a reading of the Fouled Anchor and the Two-Bell ceremony. In Japan, 14 Sailors representing various commands marched into a pinning ceremony at U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka’s Fleet Theater. Guest speaker Rear Admiral James Pitts, Commander, Submarine Group 7, said these emblems don’t just represent their new rank, but the long process it took to get there and the weight of their additional responsibilities. “Our chiefs are crucial to the fighting of the ship; crucial to executing the normal battle rhythm of training, maintenance and standards; maintaining good order and discipline; and effectively bridging the gap between officers and personnel,” he said. “It is not easy. It is not for the faint of heart. But it is because of the need of this type of leader that in 1893 that the rank of chief petty officer was born.” Chiefs at the pinning ceremony attributed their rise to good mentorship. Quartermaster Chief Korinthia Guary of U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka’s Port Operations said “watching other leaders and learning from them” helped her get to this point in her career. Culinary Specialist Chief Victor A. Marrero of Fleet Activities Yokosuka said good mentorship and support from junior Sailors were key to his success, “If they didn’t work hard, I wouldn’t be in this position right now.” Standing before his family and colleagues at the ceremony, Marrero took a moment to reflect upon the 15 years he’s been in the Navy. “It’s extremely humbling knowing what I’ve been through to get to this point,” he said. “This whole process has been powerful and eye-opening. I’m very excited.” Command Master Chief Warren Britten, command master chief of U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka, said these new chiefs have an important role to play. “Those of us who have been through this process before truly know what it means to don the hat of the chief, so this day is very special for all of us,” he said. “So today, when we clasp their hands, it is meant with sincere gratitude for them coming onboard and joining an organization that has a lot of rich tradition and history.” Back in the nation’s capital, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith had a message for all CPOs. “To all new chief petty officers, welcome to the Mess! Never forget what you have done to get here, as well what countless others have done on your behalf to give you this incredible opportunity,” said Smith. “As you inevitably pause at some point today to look at those anchors on your collar, remember that you must 'earn this’ every day Hooyah - Navy chief, Navy pride!” President Benjamin Harris issued an executive order 125 years ago creating the rank of chief petty officer. Today, chiefs are selected by a board of chiefs, senior chiefs and master chiefs after first class Sailors show leadership potential, impressive records and pass an advancement exam.
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Health Plan of the Week: De-Stress! From Naval Marine Corps Public Health Center/ Lt. Mark Knutson, USNH Sigonella
The job you do can be difficult, so make sure you allocate time to relax and take steps to reduce stress. The “Relax Relax” toolkit located at the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center Health Promotion and Wellness Department (HPW) website is a great one-stop shop for learning about various techniques to relax. There, you can find information on meditation, mindfulness, music therapy, muscle relaxation, and other methods to de-stress. You can find the Relax Relax toolkit at https://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcphc/ health-promotion/psychological-emotionalwellbeing/relax-relax/pages/index.html Also check out the HPW website’s “Navigating Stress” and “Beauty of Sleep” publications,
which offer guidance on ways to take care of yourself when you are feeling challenged, stay positive in the face of change, and improve your immune system. The Navy Operational Stress Control blog also provides helpful stress control resources. You can even find ways to mitigate stress on the job. For example, in the midst of a busy workday, plan a relaxing weekend activity and visualize yourself there. There are even mobile apps to help you relax—download them so that you always have a helping psychological health tool at the ready. If you are confronted with stress, reach out to supportive people such as friends and family. And as always, if you choose to drink alcohol, do so responsibly.
“HURRICANE” continued from Page 7
Carolina National Guard’s priority is ensuring all assets needed for post-hurricane impacts are ready to move out for life-saving missions. These capabilities include helicopter water rescue, high-water transport vehicles, engineers to clear debris to open access routes for emergency responders and any resources needed to support the counties. The South Carolina National Guard currently has 126 high-water rescue vehicles, more than 100 medium support vehicles and wreckers stationed throughout the state. Planners are looking ahead to identify low-lying areas in parts of the state projected to receive high volumes of rain, and are leaning forward to identify and pre-position search and rescue aviation assets near areas most vulnerable and prone to flooding. There are six Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Teams equipped with UH-60 Black Hawks and a LUH-72 Lakota helicopter. Patrick Air Force Base authorities deployed 140 reservists, including search-and-rescue crews, to Georgia to assist with disaster relief efforts as requested. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has more than 200 employees working with FEMA and is monitoring dams in Virginia and North Carolina. DoD’s Defense Logistics Agency has nearly 90 personnel deployed, as well as 170 trailers staged with commodities including 14,000 cases of shelf-stable meals, cots, durable medical equipment kits, infant and toddler kits, bottled water, 107 generators, blankets and nearly 300,000 gallons of fuel (diesel, unleaded and propane). Saving lives and mitigating suffering is a top priority. USNORTHCOM and National Guard forces are well-positioned to respond immediately.
preparations are being made by the Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic to recall aircraft back to Norfolk and Oceana as soon as possible, working closely with Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic and airfield managers to ensure bases, personnel, and facilities are ready to support response efforts. The return plan for Norfolk-based aircraft will give priority to rotary wing assets to allow for additional land-based rotary wing support if requested. USNORTHCOM has deployed nearly 280 high-water vehicles to assist with ground search and rescue in the affected areas. The National Guard has more than 6,500 Soldiers and Airmen on-duty, which is expected to fluctuate in the coming days. More than 10 states have mobilized critical support from their National Guard forces through an Emergency Management Assistance Compact to the anticipated impacted areas. In addition to the National Guard, U.S. Northern Command has deployed nearly 3,000 activeduty service members from all branches of the military to provide response support. The North Carolina National Guard has more than 2,800 personnel on State Active Duty with an additional 1,000 ready to go. Rescue teams are evacuating citizens as the rising waters continue to threaten homes in the region. Their first priority is safeguarding the lives and property of its state’s citizens. North Carolina National Guard is providing life-saving and life-sustaining support to citizens in the affected areas. The South Carolina National Guard has over 3,200 Soldiers and Airmen on duty, including two search and rescue capable CH-47 Chinook helicopters and two UH-60 Black Hawks from the Pennsylvania National Guard. The South
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