Holiday Stress: Turning stress to gratitude! PAGE 4
Frocking Ceremony:
CFC-O 2016:
Check out the frockees!
Still time to give
PAGEs 8-9
N A S SIG O N E L L A
PAGE 15
December 2, 2016
Vol. 33 No. 45
SECNAV Visits with Sailors at Naval Air Station Sigonella By Nicole Ybarra NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus visited Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella and held an All Hands Call with Sailors at the NAS II hangar, Nov. 28. Following his remarks, Mabus fielded questions from the audience. At the top of many Sailors’ minds was the recent announcement of the Navy Occupational Specialty Ratings Modernization Plan and how the new plan would affect manning. While overall manning will remain unchanged, Mabus suggested the potential for a very minimal decrease in some rates as a result of Ready, Relevant Learning (RRL). The RRL initiative, put forth by the Chief of Naval Operations, aims to modernize training delivery methods, transitioning them, as appropriate, from traditional brick-and-mortar schoolhouses to mobile, multi-media, multi-platform delivery solutions that leverage science and technology to accelerate the dissemination of critical warfighting knowledge to Sailors. The next question from the audience concerned the impact of the incoming president on the Navy and Marine Corps to which Mabus replied, “This [current] administration is growing the Navy. This administration has substantially strengthened the Navy and its presence around the world. I can’t imagine that changing no matter who the president is, because it gives our leaders options in times of crisis.” The final question asked SECNAV to comment on the recent increase in Russian activity in the European region, noting unsafe intercepts by Russian fighter jets of U.S. aircraft. “We are being engaged at virtu-
Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus responds to a question asked by Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Commanding Officer Capt. Brent Trickel during an all-hands call, Nov. 28. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ramon Go/Released)
ally every level. What we have to do, whether at air or at sea, is first, be perpetual, and second, be ready to respond. We are seeing Russian naval activity that we haven’t seen since the Cold War but it won’t keep us from doing our job.” In closing, Mabus conveyed the gratitude of the nation and thanked the Sailors for their commitment and dedication to the mission. “Sigonella, thank you for what you do every day. Thank you for your willingness to wear the uniform, and
thank you for being as good as you are. We have incredibly high expectations of what we expect from you and you never disappoint. America is incredibly fortunate to have you standing the watch.” Naval Air Station Sigonella: "The Hub of the Med," is a U.S. Navy installation and an Italian Air Force base in Sicily, Italy. Just as a ship performs lines of operation that provide a capability, Navy Region EURAFSWA bases perform the same eight lines of operation to provide capability to
the fleet, joint and allied forces. These eight lines of operation are: air operations, port operations, safety, security, housing, MWR, Fleet and Fleet and Family Services and what is called the core: the fuels, water and power that keep the bases running. Through our lines of operation, our installations are force multipliers that maximize combat capability of operational units. For more news from Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia, visit www.navy.mil/local/ cnre/.
Changes Coming to Base Galley By Nicole Ybarra NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – On any day, you can smell the aroma of freshly baked bread, rustic Italian pasta and tasty desserts permeating from Ristorante Bella Etna. With the high quality of food on offer, it’s not surprising that the Galley is a popular place to grab a meal. However, the popularity of the Galley combined with an increase in active duty members assigned to NAS Sigonella is unfortunately prompting changes in who is authorized to dine at the Galley. For an extended period of time that began prior to any standing documentation, the Galley permitted the installation to allow civilians to dine in the Galley. However, in April 2016, the base experienced an influx of personnel that has significantly increased the usage of the Galley, and as a result, the Galley is currently operating over their capability threshold. When the Food Service Officer, CWO3 Francisco Marigundon, arrived at NAS Sigonella, patronage at the Galley was around 200 total guests each day. Today, the Galley serves approximately 400 patrons at breakfast, 500-800 during lunch and 400-500 at dinner.
“We have a seating capacity for 221 guests. We are currently well over that capacity. I’ve seen times when people have to stand and wait to eat,” says Marigundon. In accordance with the NAVSUP P486, the Galley is designed, staffed and operated specifically to provide meals to active duty personnel and active reserve personnel. What’s more, civilians are not authorized patrons. As a result, effective Jan. 2, 2017, with the exception of Galley Civilian Personnel, all civilians (both US and Local National) will no longer be eligible to eat in the Galley. Dependents can still dine at the Galley when escorted by the active duty and/or active reserve service member. “At the end of the day, it’s all about meeting the Galley’s intended mission,” says Marigundon. “We are trying to keep up with the demand, and by limiting the Galley to active duty personnel only, we will be better enabled to serve the Galley’s intended and primary patrons.” Civilians will still be able to dine at the Galley during the weekly Sunday Brunch service and periodic Special Meals (i.e. Thanksgiving meal, Christmas meal, Black History Month meal, Navy Birthday meal, Asian Pacific America Heritage Month meal, etc.).