The Signature, December 23, 2016

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Italian Sweets: Pandoro, Panettone and Cedrata, Oh My!

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Aeolian Islands:

Marinai News:

Only a Ferry Away

Let There Be Light!

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N A S SIG O N E L L A

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December 23, 2016

Vol. 33 No. 48

Due to the holiday period in December, The Signature will be on a two week break after our Dec. 23 issue. Don't miss our next issue available on Jan. 13. Stay up-to-date by visiting us on the NAS Sigonella Facebook page.

Year in Review: Sigonella’s Top 10 of 2016 By Nicole Ybarra NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – For the service members (representing all military branches) and civilians supporting the missions of NAS Sigonella, there is much to reflect upon and be proud of in 2016. The base hosted a number of DVs, several installation improvements were completed, and Sigonella opened its very own USO. As we look toward an even greater 2017, The Signature recaps our top 10 stories from 2016. It has been an absolute privilege to report on and share all of the significant achievements that represent the great community of Sigonella.

was extinguished, a suicide bomber strapped with a personal-borne IED was reported near the NAS 2 Galley. Security forces were alerted and a shelter in place notice was issued, instructing all personnel throughout the three bases to remain inside. The exercise was the culmination of nearly five months of planning by the Installation Training Team (ITT) which met weekly. “This year's Reliant Giant exercise introduced a number of variables that we don't have a chance to normally exercise concurrently, and it wouldn't have been nearly the success it was without the significant role that our Italian counterparts with the Italian Air Force played this year,” said Niki McBain, Emergency Management Officer. “Working together with our colleagues from across the base as well as with our first responders in town on exercises, provides us the confidence that during a real event the entire Sigonella community will be ready to respond when the time comes.” Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet Covers the Bases at NAS Sigonella: Vice Adm. James Foggo, III, commander U.S. 6th Fleet visited with Sailors and hosted an All Hands CAll during a scheduled trip to Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily, March 31. Foggo expressed his gratitude to the Sailors, speaking to the many achievements in the region such as the collective defense support provided by NAS Sigonella Sailors. "You are permanently ensconced on the map and your relevance will only increase in the years to come." In addition to the All Hands Call, Foggo dined with Sailors at the Galley, met with Sailors from Commander, Task Force 67, held quarters with Patrol Squadron 4, toured Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department, and spoke with Marines from Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Africa (SP-MAGTF-CR-AF). Renovations Complete at Navy Exchange: The Navy Exchange (NEX) held a ribbon cutting ceremony April 7 to celebrate the completion of nearly a year of renovations to the facility, the most notable being the removal of the concrete blast wall in front of the store. The $6.1 million renovations included relocating customer service from the back to the front of the store, as well as moving the flower shop, laundry and dry cleaning vendors to their own storefronts at the front of the NEX. The jewelry, fragrance and cosmetics and pet departments were expanded and a GNC store was added in addition to a new family restroom. During the renovation, NEX staff tirelessly moved inventory among the three locations (NEX main store, NEX Depot and NEX Mini Mart) in order to accommodate the phased construction. Due to efficient inventory management, a dedicated staff and sound understanding of customer needs the NAS Sigonella Navy Exchange turned a profit for the first time since 2011. Capt. Brent Trickel Assumes Command of Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella: Sailors, civilians, local nationals, family and friends gathered May 10 for a change of command ceremony aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, Sicily during which Capt. Brent Trickel relieved Capt. Christopher Dennis as commanding officer of NAS Sigonella. After receiving his end of tour award, Dennis thanked the Sigonella community and his family in both English and Italian. “You truly are the ‘Hub of the Med.’ You keep the base secure, the water running, the planes flying… In a word, you do everything and you are awesome,” Dennis told the audience. After assuming command, Trickel addressed the audience in both Italian and English. "I look forward to taking the reins of Sigonella from Capt. Dennis and will continue to

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CNE, 6th Fleet Master Chief visit NAS Sigonella: Adm. Mark Ferguson, Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples, and FLTCM, Steven Giordano and their spouses paid a visit to NAS Sigonella and held an All Hands Call with Sailors, Jan. 21. During the visit, Mrs. Ferguson and Mrs. Giordano toured Housing, the Fleet and Family Support Center, the Hospital, the DoDDS school and met with the NASSIG ombudsman to learn about quality of life issues aboard NAS Sigonella. During the All Hands Call, Ferguson remarked on the increased tempo of operations in the European theater and spoke to the growing strategic importance of NAS Sigonella as a central hub against a backdrop of Navy growth in Europe after years of decline.

Coordination and Communication Key in Reliant Giant 2016: On March 16-17, departments from across NAS Sigonella came together as an integrated force to respond to several simulated emergencies during Reliant Giant 2016. The exercise began with a simulated fire at the Naval Munitions Compound (NMC) followed by an explosion at the Galley on NAS 2. NAS Sigonella Fire, their Italian counterparts, and Fire and Emergency Services (FES) promptly responded to the fire. Shortly after the fire

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foster the wonderful sense of community and teamwork he has instilled and will take on board his tenets of Security, Resource Conservation and Health and Welfare. I will continue the outstanding relationship with our Italian hosts, joint partners, and allies and I look forward to making Sigonella an even better place in conjunction with Col. Fedele." NAS Sigonella Hosts Red White and Boom: Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) brought a little bit of home to service members and their families this Fourth of July with its annual Independence Day celebration Red, White and Boom held July 2. The event featured a day filled with fun activities which began on a colorful note with the Firecracker 4K Color Run on Marinai. The next event took place at the NAS 1 Gymnasium with the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Africa (SP-MAGTF-CR-AF) in combat gear versus the avengers in a NERF battle. Children ages six through 18-years-old took on the Marines and both teams shed a few battle cries as the competition grew more intense. "Being overseas, you get homesick, especially during the holidays. Having events like these help to ease that," said Oostenyrk. "Normally back at home, we would have a BBQ, music and fireworks, and so MWR made it feel like home."

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NAS Sigonella Hosts Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine: As host of several Food Network shows, Chef Robert Irvine may be better known for his show Restaurant: Impossible, but according to Irvine, his passion for food comes second to his passion for the military. On July 28, Irvine spent the day with service members aboard NAS Sigonella as part of a two-day USO tour in the region. He started the day with an early morning PT session led by Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Africa (SP-MAGTF-CR-AF) where he completed a circuit course comprised of upper and lower body workouts, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program techniques and laps around the baseball field. After dining at the base galley, touring the facilities and meeting with Sailors, Irvine hosted an interactive cooking show for service members and their families. “My best experience in Sigonella started from the time that I touched down, up until the moment I leave and everything else in between,” stated Irvine. NAS Sigonella Security Hosts National Night Out: On Aug. 2, the Sigonella community came together for an evening of fun and education hosted by the NAS Sigonella Security Department as part of the 33rd annual National Night Out, a worldwide initiative aimed at crime and drug prevention. The festivities kicked off with a parade around Marinai

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"TOP 10" continued on Page 3


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