National Preparedness Month Begins PAGE 4
Starbucks Opens 1st Shop in Italy
Prepare Yourself for Flu Season
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N A S SIG O N E L L A
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SEPTEMBER 14, 2018
Vol. 35 No. 34
NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force Holds First Change of Command Ceremony By NATO AGS Force Public Affairs Office
SIGONELLA, Sicily (September 10, 2018) Gen. Tod. Wolters, commander, Air Allied Command, presents Brig. Gen. Phillip Stewart, commander, NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) Force, with the command pennant at a change of command ceremony held in the NATO hangar aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella 10 Sept. Stewart relieved Col. Pedro Renn as the commanding officer of NATO AGS. (Photo by Stabsbootsmann Falk Plankenhorn)
SIGONELLA, Italy – The NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) Force change of command ceremony was held at the Italian Air Base Sigonella, Sicily, on Monday, September 10, 2018. Brig. Gen. Phillip A. Stewart, United States Air Force, assumed his duties as the new commander of NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) Force. In taking command from Interim Commander Col. Pedro Renn, Stewart becomes the first commander of AGS within its new permanent structure. Monday’s ceremony marks the culmination of a major milestone of the command’s building process, which began in September 2015. For the last three years, Renn served as Interim Commander and Director of the AGS Staff Element Implementation Office (SEIO) at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Belgium. With his new command, Stewart becomes the highest ranking U.S. service member permanently stationed at Sigonella. During his remarks Renn expressed his pride with the progress made during his time at the command. While AGS SEIO coordinated closely with NATO agencies and industry partners in representing the Force’s needs, a team at Sigonella began to develop the AGS Force locally. During his farewell speech, Renn took a look back, “In September 2015, the first 12 people at Sigonella had minimal equipment and infrastructure, but tons of motivation. Since then, we’ve come a long way.”
"NATO" continued on Page 14
NAS Sigonella Commemorates 9/11 Anniversary By Janine Scianna NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
It has been seventeen long years, but for many Americans like Yeoman 2nd Class Felicia Green, the memories are still vivid and raw. As the guest speaker for the 9/11 ceremony on Tuesday, she recounted in detail her answer to the question many who were alive on that fateful day can easily answer: “Where were you when you found out?” For Green, her answer was so much more heartrending and powerful. She was just nine years old and in a Bronx classroom. While her teacher tuned the television to news, she knew her mother could be in danger. She recounted what it felt like to not know for sure if her mother was alive until she, her dad, and brother ran into her in the Bronx—cell phone communications were down and her mother had walked 10 miles from her office in midtown Manhattan. As fate would have it, Green’s mother, who previously worked in one of the World Trade Center towers, switched job locations not long before the 9/11 attack. Green remembers being overcome with relief the moment she saw her mother alive. “Where I come from, we don’t talk about tragedy,” Green said. But, she acknowledged that having open dialogues like this week’s ceremony allows her to process what happened. Green’s aunt, a construction worker at ground zero, witnessed the turmoil and aftermath in the days that followed 9/11—the families looking for loved ones, and the uncovering of bodies and artifacts. Her aunt never took the time to seek professional help to deal with the powerful emotions that
SIGONELLA, Sicily (September 11, 2018) Service members and civilians stationed onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella listen to remarks given by Yeoman 2nd Class Felicia Green during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at the installation. 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 Lt. Andriana Genualdi/Released)
came from working at ground zero, and Green reminded the audience of how important it is to take care of one’s mental health. After Green’s poignant remarks, the Chief Petty Officer Selectees unveiled and dedicated a new memorial at the fountain on NAS II to the victims of United Airlines Flight 93, the highjacked plane that crashed in rural Pennsylvania. The NAS Sigonella base commanding officer, Capt. Brent Trickel, and command master chief, CMDCM Nancy Estrada, laid a wreath at its base. The fountain in front of the command building at NAS Sigonella is now ringed by three memorials to 9/11: one to those who died in the twin towers, one to those who perished at the Pentagon, and this final one to the people who went down with Flight 93. The ceremony closed with the symbolic ringing of four singular bells in sequence, marking the fall of
each World Trade Center tower, the Pentagon attack, and finally, the Flight 93 crash. That day, 2,977 people lost their lives, and thousands more have become ill or died from exposure to toxins at ground zero. New York's Committee for Occupational Safety & Health estimates that about 6,000 of the 9/11 first responders are now living with cancer, with thousands more suffering from breathing problems or mental health issues. The effects of that tragic day, even seventeen years later, steadily linger on. Yet, the resolve of the nation to honor the victims and heroes of that day continues to inspire us all. As the master of ceremonies, MSgt (Sel) Justin Royse, stated “May the lives remembered, the deeds recognized, and the spirit reawakened be eternal beacons which reaffirm respect for life, strengthen our resolve to preserve freedom, and inspire an end to hatred, ignorance, and intolerance.”
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SEPTEMBER 14, 2018
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Direct Line
Cmdr. Patrick J. Moran, NAS Sigonella Executive Officer Buongiorno Sigonella, Mid-August marked a full year since my family and I arrived in Sicily to begin our three-year tour at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella. We still consider ourselves extremely fortunate to be here and take advantage of the wonderful travel and cultural opportunities available in Sicily, as well as the rest of Italy and indeed all of Europe and Africa. During this past year, we have seen the physical landscape on NAS II change significantly as several military construction projects, such as the new Entry Control Point (ECP) and the Navy Triton and P-8 hangars progress forward. As an overseas community, we have seen a steady increase in the operational tempo of units on board NAS Sigonella, both temporarily and permanently assigned. Given the nature of world events both near and far from Sicily, the strategic importance of NAS Sigonella makes it highly likely that this trend will continue. With that, we will surely see the landscape and the community continue to expand and diversify. The very first U.S. personnel and aircraft began operating at the newly constructed airfield in 1959. This was a modest footprint of just under 400 permanently assigned officers and enlisted service members along with another approximately 130 personnel in deployed squadrons. During the ensu-
ing decades, that number has grown exponentially, with ebbs and flows in base population along the way due to shifting global priorities towards or away from the European theater. Twenty years ago, the total military, civilian, and local national workforce, along with U.S. dependents had grown to almost 6,500. By 2001 that number was over 7,500. A few years later, with a shift in global priorities, Sigonella saw a decline in the population from 2007 to 2011, and for a time it appeared that that trend would continue. However, in March 2011, NATO operations in response to the civil war in Libya highlighted the strategic importance of NAS Sigonella’s location and capabilities. I saw this first hand while I was stationed at Naval Station Rota, Spain. Where once Sigonella was home to military personnel totaling only 2,200, suddenly, over 1,500 new military personnel and 70 aircraft of all types from the U.S. and seven NATO coalition partners arrived at the airfield. In Rota, we hosted several reconnaissance aircraft in support of NATO operations in Libya, but it was nothing compared to the intense influx of aircraft and personnel that NAS Sigonella absorbed. The base population and the operations that we support today continue to increase. Today, the U.S. operated side of NAS Sigonella hosts over 5,500
U.S. military, civilian, local nationals, and U.S. dependents. We support permanently-based USAF RQ-4 aircraft and personnel, deployed USAF MQ-9 aircraft and personnel, deployed maritime patrol P-8 aircraft from U.S based squadrons, and Marines of the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force, all in support of the European Command, Africa Command, and Central Command in the Mediterranean, on the African continent, and in the Middle East. Our location and capabilities truly make NAS Sigonella the “Hub of the Med.” But it is not just the U.S. that supports vital missions. The Italian side of the base hosts not only their own operational units but NATO air assets from Spain and Poland, as well. Further, just this week, on Sept. 10, the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) Force held a change of command in which USAF Brig. Gen. Phillip Stewart relieved Interim Commander German Air Force Col. Pedro Renn, and in the process became the first commander of NATO AGS within its permanent structure. This event marked a major milestone of the arduous NATO AGS development, which began in September 2015 and that will ultimately see five NATO remotely piloted surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft operate from NAS Sigonella. NAS Sigonella is home to a dynamic and capable U.S., Italian, and
NATO force structure. Our community continues to grow in unique and diverse ways as forces from multiple nations and services come together to accomplish varied and vital missions. But with this increase in operations, asset footprint, and personnel we are finding that we need to contend with limited real estate and sometimes limited resources. Construction does take time, and with it, inconveniences will be felt, as we have seen with road closures these past several months on NAS II. Situations like that are expected to continue in the coming months as we simultaneously maintain current aging infrastructure while expanding to meet the needs of the growing population. While it is not always an ideal situation, please know that it is quite necessary and that we are doing all we can with our partners to minimize the disruptions.
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 Excessive Heat in Barracks:
I have now dealt with the barracks room temperatures being 85 degrees and higher in the summertime. There is no reason why the temperatures for our barracks rooms should reach as high as 95 degrees. I have been told there is an error with the A/C unit, but this information was given to me over two weeks ago. While people around base and Marinai live in comfortable temperatures all the time, the E-4 and below Sailors are currently living in almost unbearable temperatures, with no other place to go. This is not only an inconvenience, but it is also a health hazard. I have talked to the barracks manager and have voiced my concerns multiple times, only to be brushed off. Please fix this issue so my fellow Sailors and I don't have to continue living in these conditions. If anything, please give us a time frame of when the A/C will be operational again. Mkennan Bales
Response:
Thank you for your ICE comment about the barracks A/C. Unaccompanied Housing (UH) sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience and discomfort brought on by the failure of the building’s cooling system. I also apologize that a UH staff made you feel ignored; rest assured that this matter is being taken seriously by the UH management. A little background on the process: A/C trouble calls are immediately forwarded to Public Works Department (PWD) as urgent requests, which are typically processed within 5 working days. As of 12 Sept., A/C failures in Building 623 were all fixed and completed. An emergency request was sent to PWD on 7 Sept 2018 for Building 170 when the entire building had no A/C. Although some parts of the building have had A/C restored, PWD is still working on completing the work for the rest of the building. Additionally, when I had my weekly meeting with the Public Works Officer on Sept. 13, I personally brought the issue of the A/C in Building 170 and told him to make it a priority. In the meantime, you may request an additional fan from the Building Manager’s office to help cool your room while the A/C is being fixed. We also encourage
you to use the blackout curtains during the day and turn on your bathroom fans. You may also crack your window open when temperatures drop during the night, but make sure close to close your windows and curtains again during the day. It is our hope that the A/C issue will be resolved as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience. You may also send any future concerns to NASSIG-HousingUHDirector@eu.navy.mil.
Bravo Zulu for Marinai Housing Staff:
I want to praise a member of the Housing staff for all of the support she has given since I moved to Sigonella. The local national that works at the front desk has been insanely helpful every time I have dealt with her. I recently locked myself out of my house and because I had done so while walking my dog, she allowed me to have a pet in the office even though normally they would not be allowed. That small thing helped relieve my stress while she proceeded to make phone calls to my landlord to get the situation sorted out. This isn't the only good experience I have had with her—she is consistently helpful and cheerful. Please pass along my thanks to her.
Response:
Thank you for your comment, we are pleased to know that the Housing Department front desk staff were able to help solve your problem and minimize your stress. The director will make sure your praise is shared with the staff member in their all hands quarterly staff meeting. Again, thank you for comment and Housing Department is always looking for ways to improve experiences and lessen the stress levels on their customers. You can always contact the Housing Director, Peter Faulk, at peter.faulk@eu.navy.mil.
Comment Regarding Racquetball Courts on NAS I:
I have a concern about the racquetball courts on NAS I. They have been closed due to water damage that occurred several months ago, and still have yet to be re-
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SEPTEMBER 14, 2018
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THE SIGNATURE U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA
Name: Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Katrina Koetting Department: Public Works EURAFSWA Hometown: Ferris, TX Tasked to maintain and repair all NAS Sigonella U.S. government-owned vehicles, there is always a steady stream of vehicles, trucks, and buses to work on at the Public Works Transportation Department. It takes Seabees like Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Katrina Koetting to keep the vehicles up and running. Koetting works at the Public Works department as a body shop mechanic, diagnosing damaged vehicles that come through the shop for repair and determining the most cost-effective and quickest means of fixing the vehicle. Being situated in a driving culture like Sicily’s always keeps things interesting, as vehicles are constantly getting bumped, scraped, dinged, or crashed. “I love that no problem I see is the same. It’s like a puzzle when I see a wrecked vehicle: should it be fixed or replaced?” said Koetting. Koetting holds a B.S. degree in Geography but decided to enlist after graduating to see the world and expand her knowledge base. Her first tour is here at Sigonella. She calls herself “a lifer, for sure”
and envisions a long naval career. She’d love to be part of a deployable unit and eventually become a commissioned officer. But in a nutshell, she just wants to do her best and keep learning. When she isn’t repairing vehicles, she also has collateral duties as the building manager for the transportation building. Additionally, she frequently drives base charter buses for official events like INDOC intercultural relations trips and transporting Marines around the island.
"ICE" continued from Page 2 paired. We are lucky to have another racquetball court on NAS II, but that court has several problems to even begin to name them here. My question is when will the courts on NAS I be repaired? Myself as well as many others work and live on this base and it is much more convenient to play here. Not to mention the NAS I courts are (were) in better condition than those at NAS II. It's a shame that we have nice courts and can't play on them. Why can't we get them repaired? Repairing these courts will make it easier for many of us to get a good workout and keep a great group of racquetball players happy. Isn't this why we have these recreational areas? Thank you for your time and hopefully someone will help us get these courts back up and running. Thank you, Miguel Dormany
Response: Mr. Dormany, Thank you for your question regarding the NAS I racquetball courts. I share your frustration and would like to see the courts repaired and back to working condition as soon as possible. NAVFAC maintains all base facilities and oversees the repairs required for the courts. Due to a few years in a row of limited funding, unfortunately, the racquetball courts are not scheduled for repair in FY 2019 unless some unexpected funds become available. While I understand that the recreational and physical fitness needs of our community are of utmost importance, the base must prioritize resources that fix runways, hangars, and other mission-critical infrastructure. I sincerely apologize for this inconvenience. If you would like more updates on the sta-
In her free time, she loves doing outdoor activities around the island—hiking, camping, and biking. When asked about her favorite part about living in Sicily, Koetting said the travel opportunities. She loves seeing the world outside the United States and considers Sicily to be the perfect launch pad for exploring. So far, she has visited mainland Italy and has trips planned to Germany to participate in Oktoberfest, bike, and hike, as well as London for sightseeing and more hiking.
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
tus of the racquetball courts or have any other fitness questions, please feel free to contact the MWR Fitness Director, Elizabeth Leonard, at 624-0504.
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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National Preparedness Month: Weeks I and II By GM2 Joshua Neal NAS Sigonella Emergency Operations Center
September is National Preparedness Month and one of the Emergency Management Department (EMD)’s favorite times of the year. National Preparedness Month was started in 2004 and is sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Its goal is to help local communities take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, schools, and communities to include natural disasters and terrorist attacks. One of the main reasons the federal government chose September was due to the latter, as the events of September 11, 2001 highlighted to the nation the significance of being prepared. No one ever envisions being part of a “real world” disaster, and that in itself is the reason why we should all prepare to for one. Here in Sigonella, we encourage everyone to do what they can to prepare themselves and their families for the unthinkable. The theme this year for National Preparedness Month is Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How. Each week within the month, however, has its own message. They are: Week 1: Sept 1-8...............Make and Practice Your Plan Week 2: Sept 9-15.............Learn Life Saving Skills Week 3: Sept 16-22...........Check Your Coverage Week 4: Sept 23-29...........Save For an Emergency Week 1: Make and Practice Your Plan Take a few minutes to a few hours with your family to sit down and create or go over existing emergency plans. Including children in this process will help them
understand all of the details and their individual responsibilities should an emergency occur. Decide on a fire escape route for each room of your home, locations where you can meet up if you get separated, or perhaps what to do or where to hide if there’s an active shooter or a shelter-in-place is ordered. You have the ability to make plans for every situation, so do it! Should a disaster occur, you’ll be glad that you had an action plan. Sigonella is also situated on a fault line with the potential for earthquakes. But how can you prepare for something that gives little to no warning and can last anywhere from a minute to an hour or more? Practice your response: get down onto your hands and knees
Etna eruption as seen on March 4, 2012 with the city of Catania in the foreground (Photo courtesy Wikipedia Commons)
and cover your head and neck with your arms. If possible, hold onto anything sturdy until the shaking stops. Practice, practice, and practice some more. Being in the military community, we are all very familiar with this way of thinking and training. Think of ways to get involved with your family that so you can develop simple skills together that will make a large difference in emergencies. Make sure to have smoke alarms on every level of your home and with fresh batteries. Test your alarms monthly and if your smoke alarms are nearing 10 years old, replace them with new ones. Your planning should also include who will grab your emergency/disaster response kits. Don’t have one? The EMD can point you in the right direction for putting one together and also help you think of ways to tailor your kits personally and for specific instances. In fact, the Department will be hosting an informational booth at the commissary on NAS I on Thursday, Sept. 27. We encourage everyone to come out, meet our staff, have all of your preparedness questions answered, learn about upcoming classes, and update your AtHoc information if needed. Week 2: Learn Life Saving Skills Part of being proactive is taking advantage of the numerous classes offered within the Sigonella community such as CPR, CERT, or even automotive skills classes! Spending a day or two learning the valuable lifesaving skills that these courses offer will help you to respond when emergencies arise—it’s not a matter of if, but when. While it might not seem like a lifesaving skill, learning how to protect your home is equally as important in keeping you and your family safe. Make sure that everyone in your household knows how to turn off the various utilities such as natural gas and water when emergencies arise. The same goes with cooking, heating, and electrical sources. Perhaps your children or spouse do not have experience with turning off circuit breakers, or no one knows who to call in case of a gas leak. Now is the time to get together and learn these skills before disaster strikes! During the month of September, you can also tune in to AFN 105.9, The Eagle, to hear EMD Sailors highlighting many different disaster preparedness topics. We will be on-air from 1500 to 1600 every Thursday as well as our regular times of 1400 to 1500 every other Monday. Should you have any emergencies, please call the Emergency Dispatch Center (our 911) at 095-86-1911 or DSN 624-1911. For non-emergencies, you can contact the Emergency Dispatch Center at 095-86-5225 or DSN 624-5225.
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Service Members Sign Pledge During Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month
SIGONELLA, Sicily (September 7, 2018) Service members sign a proclamation pledging to be there for their shipmates at the kickoff event for Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month aboard Naval Air Station (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 Lt. Mark Knutson/Released)
SIGONELLA, Sicily (September 7, 2018) Lt. Steven Hervey, Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella base chaplain, and Capt. Brent Trickel, commanding officer, NAS Sigonella, speak to the crowd at the Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month proclamation signing. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Andriana Genualdi/Released)
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Starbucks Fulfills its Italian Franchise Dream, Italians are yet to be Enchanted
SEPTEMBER 14, 2018
Sicily's Governor and Mayor of Raddusa Recognize Sigonella Marines for Volunteer Service
From The Quartzy
Starbucks is making its grand entrance into the Italian market by opening a palatial café in the heart of Milan. The new Reserve Roastery, which boasts heated marble-top counters and a mezzanine-level cocktail bar, is also the culmination of a dream for Starbuck’s founder, Howard Schultz. When Schultz first announced the company’s plans to open in Italy during the Seed & Chips global food summit in May this year, he said that a trip to Milan in 1983 inspired the vision for Starbucks. “My imagination was captured by Italian coffee,” he said. Starbuck’s press release for the opening also called it “a fullcircle moment” (and “steeped in sacrifice, tears, passion,” no less). Despite the grandeur and significance of the new Roastery, some locals are skeptical of choosing Starbucks coffee over their neighborhood cafés. “I’ve tasted Starbucks coffee and I’ll absolutely stick to Italian coffee,” Giulia Brighenti told the Associated Press. When Bloomberg interviewed several Italians to get their reactions to Starbuck’s Milan debut, some seemed even more doubtful. “Is Starbucks even coffee?” one person asked. Another said, “Americans don’t know how to make coffee.” Alexandre Loeur, an analyst at Euromonitor International, told AFP that “cracking the home of coffee culture is a tough challenge, with many Italians deriding the move as ridiculous.” Loeur added, however, that “while snobbery might initially prevail,” the specialty coffee offered by Starbucks might eventually do well in the medium to long term. Starbucks is aware that it is entering a discerning market. Liz Muller, Starbucks’ chief design officer, told the AP the company is “not coming to Italy to teach people about coffee. This is where coffee was born.” Instead, Starbucks will focus on providing a premium experience that is different to what people in Italy are used to. The Italians who run surrounding cafés—that on average charge only half of Starbuck’s asking price for an espresso—are hoping that the locals will stick to their neighborhood spots. “I expect my clients to be faithful to me, but tourists will surely go to the roastery,” barista Federico Castelmare told Reuters.
Starbucks opens its first Italian franchise in Milan. (Photo by REUTERS/Stefano Rellandin)
Police to Trial Taser Guns in 11 Italian Cities From The Local
Police in 11 cities across Italy are to be given Tasers for the first time to test whether the electrical stun guns can help pro-
"ITALIAN NEWS" continued on Page 14
RADDUSA, Sicily - A delegation of Sigonella CLB-2 Marines was presented on Sept. 8 with a volunteer thank you award during the 24th edition of the Festa del Grano di Raddusa (Raddusa Wheat Festival), a traditional folklore festival celebrating the town's rural heritage. The event's guests of honor, Sicily Governor Nello Musumeci and Raddusa Mayor Giovanni Allegra, thanked the Sigonella representatives for the first ever community relations project conducted in July at a local children's summer camp and for their ongoing volunteer projects. Sigonella Marines got a chance to visit the festival and sample the traditional "Pasta di San Giuseppe" (Saint Joseph's Pasta), a homemade pasta with legumes which is traditionally prepared during this annual celebration of the wheat harvest. (Photo by Alberto Lunetta, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs)
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January 2019 E-7 Advancement Cycle Announced By Ed Barker Naval Education and Professional Development Center Public Affairs
PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- The January 2019 Navy-wide enlisted examination (Cycle 242) testing date for active-duty and full-time support Sailors who are advancement eligible to the pay grade of E-7 was announced in Naval Administrative Message (NAVADMIN) 214/18, Aug. 31. The Navywide examination date is Jan. 17 for active-duty and full-time support (FTS) Sailors eligible to advance to chief petty officer, as well as E-6s who are required to take the E-7 exam for the limited duty officer program. "Bibliographies (BIBs) for the E-7 January exam are updated and available for download on My Navy Portal and the Navy COOL website," said Master Chief Electronics Technician, Nuclear Power Gregory Prichard, command master chief of the Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center (NETPDC). “The E-7 advancement process differs from the E-4 to E-6 process in that the final multiple score (FMS) consists of only two elements that are used to rank order eligible E-6s; the exam score and performance mark average (PMA). So, being prepared for the exam is essential.” Participation in the January exam is only a part of the advancement process for E-7. The top 60 percent, ranked by FMS, in each rating get to com-
“exam” continued on Page 15
PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 18, 2018) First class petty officers aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) participate in the E-7 Navy-wide advancement exam on the ship's mess decks. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Daniel Pastor)
Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Strengthens Relationships with Egyptian Navy From U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs
ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (NNS) -- Vice Adm. Lisa Franchetti, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, visited the Commander-inChief of the Egyptian Navy, Vice-Admiral Ahmed Khaled in Alexandria, Egypt, Sept. 7-8, 2018. “The Egyptian Navy is an important security partner to the U.S. Navy, both in the Red Sea and in the Mediterranean,” said Franchetti. “By working collectively to enhance the strong relationship between our navies, we can ensure regional security and stability and signal to the world that our partnership is strong and enduring.” The visit coincided with a port visit from the Arleigh Burke-class guidedmissile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64). Carney is visiting Alexandria prior to
participating in exercise Bright Star 2018, a combined command-post and fieldtraining exercise aimed at enhancing regional security and stability by responding to modern-day security scenarios with the Arab Republic of Egypt. “Building these professional relationships through training and exercises allows us to improve interoperability which will allow us to better work together in order to counter terrorism and violent extremist organizations,” said Franchetti. U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.
ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (Sept. 7, 2018) Vice Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti, right, commander of U.S. 6th Fleet and Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, greets Adm. Ahmad Khaled, commander in chief of the Egyptian Navy, during a reception aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) in Alexandria, Egypt, Sept. 7, 2018. Carney, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is on its fifth patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of regional allies and partners as well as U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan U. Kledzik/Released)
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Naval Air Station Sigon Photos by Lt. Andriana Genualdi, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
A joint service color guard, composed of service members from the Navy, Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force, parade the colors during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony onboard NAS Sigonella.
Lt. Lloyd Wicker, a chaplain onboard NAS Sigonella, delivers a closing benediction following the layin ath at a newly unveiled memorial during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at the installation.
Capt. Brent Trickel, commanding officer of NAS Sigonella, and CMDCM Nancy Estrada, command master chief, NAS Sigonella, carry a wreath to be placed at a new memorial that was unveiled during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony onboard the installation.
Chief Petty Officer Selectees unveil a new monument dedicated to the memories of those who lost their lives on United Airlines Flight 93 during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella.
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nella Remembers 9/11 Sigonella Participates in Sicilian Town’s 9/11 Memorial By Lt. Mark Knutson U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella
ng of a wre-
Yeoman 2nd Class Felicia Green, stationed onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, speaks during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at the installation.
Capt. Brent Trickel, commanding officer of NAS Sigonella, and Col. Francesco Frare, Sigonella Italian base commanding officer, run together during a 9/11 remembrance 5K at NAS Sigonella.
Service members from Naval Air Station Sigonella and U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella were invited by Dr. Armando Glorioso, the mayor of Nissoria, to participate in the town’s annual 9/11 commemoration. Every year, the town pays tribute to the victims of 9/11 which include two Nissoria citizens who died in the World Trade Center attacks. "This commemoration binds our two countries together" said Glorioso. "Even in a town as small as Nissoria, we are all connected in this world." A group of 25 Sailors, Marines, and Airmen from Sigonella participated in the event. Among them, Lt. Mark Knutson and Lt. Cdr. Corinne Devin led the procession with Glorioso to the memorial.
Nissoria Mayor Dr. Armando Glorioso greets Lt. Mark Knutson, guest speaker for the U.S. delegation, at the town’s annual 9/11 memorial ceremony. (Photo by U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella)
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NAS SIGONELLA COMMUNITY PAGE All Hands News Bulletin:
MWR AUTUMN FEST FOOD VENDOR APPLICATION INFO
SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH: 1 SMALL ACT SELFIES
Command, Department or Organization: MWR Date of Event: 20 OCT 2018 Time of Event: 1700-2300 Location of Event: Midtown Parking Lot Point of Contact Name: Ivory Harris Point of Contact Phone Number: 624-5602 Point of Contact Email Address: Ivory.Harris@eu.navy.mil Additional Information: MWR invites all eligible Command Authorized Private Organizations to apply for a food vendor's booth at AUTUMN FEST. This year's celebration will be held on Saturday, 20 OCT 2018 from 1700-2300 on NAS 1. All groups must be an authorized private organization and in good standing with the Legal Office--no exceptions! If you are not sure if your organization is current please contact base legal at 624-5258. To apply, please copy and paste the link to view the application. Fill out the form, sign and email back to Ivory.harris@eu.navy.mil by TUES 18 SEPT 2018. http://www. navymwrsigonella.com/autumnfest
Command, Department or Organization: NASSIG Suicide Prevention Team 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: Come out and show how you will be there for Every Sailor, Every Day! The NASSIG Suicide Prevention Team will be taking "1 Small Act Selfies" of individuals with a personalized example of 1 Small ACT they can BE THERE for EVERY SAILOR, EVERY DAY. All photos then be posted on the NAS Sigonella Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ nassigonella September 18 1200-1300 at NAS 2 Seven Day September 20 1200-1300 at NAS 1 NEX/Commissary September 24 1130-1300 at NAS 2 Galley September 26 1130-1300 at NAS 1 Midtown
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 3 - September 10, 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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GAMEZONE GALILEO GRAVITY HUBBLE KEPLER LIGHT YEAR METEOR MILKY WAY MOON NEBULA ORBIT PARSEC PERIGEE POLARIS PROXIMA CENTAURI
PULSARS QUASARS RED GIANT SATELLITE SOLAR SYSTEM SOLAR WIND SPACE SHUTTLE SPACECRAFT STARS SUN SUPERNOVA TELESCOPE TIDES UNIVERSE WHITE DWARF
MEDIUM
ANDROMEDA GALAXY APOGEE ASTEROID ASTRONOMER ATMOSPHERE AURORA BINARY STAR BLACK HOLE CONSTELLATION CORONA CRATER DEEP SPACE ECLIPSE EQUINOX GALAXIES
EASY
Find and circle all of the Astronomy related words that are hidden in the grid. The remaining letters spell a secret message.
DIFFICULT
Astronomy
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"ITALIAN NEWS" continued from Page 6
"NATO" continued from Page 1
tect officers. Interior Minister Matteo Salvini recently approved the trial of a limited number of Taser guns in Milan, Turin, Bologna, Florence, Padua, Reggio Emilia, Naples, Caserta, Catania, Brindisi, and Palermo. They will be issued to members of all three police forces that patrol Italy's streets – the State Police, military Carabinieri, and Guardia di Finanza financial crime force – with officers given special training in the stun guns' use. Salvini called the devices "a non-lethal weapon of dissuasion" and said they would act as a deterrent, reducing risks to officers' personal safety. Italy has considered testing Tasers before, though not without controversy. A previous government first proposed a police trial in 2014, but was forced to promise precautions in response to concerns for public safety. The scheme was slow to get off the ground and, four years later, has yet to be rolled out. Attention returned to the issue last month when a policeman in Genoa shot dead a man who had stabbed one of his colleagues, prompting the head of Italy's police force to announce that officers would soon be armed with Tasers to help prevent lethal use of force. According to chief of police Franco Gabrielli, the model chosen for use by Italian officers is the Taser X2 "Defender", which gives a shock of several thousand volts for up to five seconds at a time from up to seven meters away, and has a second cartridge to allow for two shots in quick succession. The model is already used by law enforcement in the United States, Canada, England, Wales, and elsewhere. Military police at the Vatican also carry Tasers, having been issued them for the first time last month. Taser guns cause temporary paralysis by using an electrical charge that disrupts signals to the brain. While they benefit police, critics argue that they are unsafe and have in some cases caused injury and even death. The United Nations Committee Against Torture has declared them a potentially deadly form of torture. Salvini and his League party have long argued for a tougher approach to law and order, including allowing individuals to shoot anyone who enters their home in the name of self-defense, even in the absence of a clear physical threat. Yet the Five Star Movement, which governs Italy in coalition with the League, formerly opposed the use of Tasers by police, arguing that money should be spent on giving police officers a pay rise instead of "on these toy guns". As reported by local media last week, police in Catania persuaded a homeless man who assaulted women in the street to surrender without actually firing the Taser.
Colonel Renn described his experiences building up a flying force from scratch. “From creating and realizing an idea from the bottom up,” Renn pointed out, “the men and women of the Force did more than just pioneer work. They proved the potential of a vision within an Alliance, driven by dedication and professionalism.” Addressing the ceremony’s guests, Renn underlined the fundamental importance of the support the Force had while under his command, especially from its Italian liaisons, “We wouldn’t be where we are without you.” Thanking his team, outgoing commander Renn also addressed Stewart, his successor, “You, as the new commander, will drive the Force forward, taking what my team and I have done for you through the final hurdle and to new heights.” Renn also expressed his sincere thanks to Col. Stefan Kaufmann, who coordinated as Renn’s on-site commander for the Force’s development at Sigonella. For his achievements, Kaufmann was awarded with NATO’s highest decoration, the NATO Meritorious Service Medal, during the formal reception after the ceremony.
New Italian Government Plans to Curb Sunday Shopping From Reuters
In a bid to spur economic growth, the then-Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti liberalized Sunday trading in 2012, despite pressure from the Roman Catholic Church and unions who said the country needed to preserve its traditional day of rest. “This liberalization is in fact destroying Italian families,” said Di Maio, who is head of the anti-establishment Five Star Movement. “We need to start limiting opening and closing times again,” he told reporters. Earlier this year, Poland restricted Sunday shopping as the conservative government in Warsaw pushed ahead with what it said was a return to Roman Catholic values. The Italian and Polish initiatives run against a slow liberalization of Sunday shopping hours throughout Europe, where retailers face pressure from a boom in online shopping. Small shopkeepers in Italy have long sought to overturn Monti’s reform, saying their businesses face unfair competition from the big malls. Di Maio said that larger stores would also have to close on national holidays.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 Incoming commander Stewart underlined his personal perspective on the Alliance as he embarked on his second NATO command. “Alliance Ground Surveillance Force will provide clarity in times of crisis,” said Stewart. “I’m proud and humbled to have the honor to contribute personally to the security of approximately 1 billion civilians living under the protection of NATO by leading this outstanding Force.” Over 200 guests and personnel attended the ceremony, which was presided over by the Commander of NATO’s Allied Air Command, Gen. Tod D. Wolters. Wolters, as the Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. Air Forces Africa, is also the highest ranking U.S. Air Force officer serving in Europe. By acquiring five aircraft and command and control base stations, AGS will be the first fully NATO-owned and operated flying unit. It will enable the Alliance to perform persistent terrestrial and maritime surveillance operations over wide areas from high-altitude, long-enduring under any weather or light conditions. The main operating base for AGS will be located at Sigonella Air Base in Italy, which will serve as a NATO Joint Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance deployment base and data exploitation center.
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Get a Clue, Don’t Get the Flu! By HM3 Jada Compton
With flu season right around the corner, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that anyone aged six months or older get vaccinated against the flu. While the flu vaccine can vary in how well it works, it is the best tool modern medicine currently has to prevent infection with influenza viruses. The CDC recently reported that from 2017-2018, there were178 flu-related deaths in children. According to the CDC, a new vaccine is being produced for the 2018-2019 flu season and will be available in the fall. Influenza is not the common cold; it can be a severe to life-threatening disease that annually results in more than 30,000 U.S. deaths. The vaccination can help keep you from getting sick from the flu. Protecting yourself from the flu also protects the people around you who are more vulnerable to serious flu illnesses. People at increased risk of flu complications include older adults, people with chronic medical conditions, and children younger than 6 months old. Some people will only be mildly sick or miserable for a few days, but for some, the flu can be very serious and result in hospitalization or death. Flu viruses infect the nose, throat, and lungs and can cause a wide range of complications. Sinus and ear infections are examples of moderate
complications from flu. Pneumonia is a serious complication that can result from the flu virus infection alone or from co-infection of the flu virus and bacteria. Flu virus infections can trigger an extreme inflammatory response in the body and can lead to sepsis, the body’s life-threatening response to infection. Over the past six flu seasons, the U.S. has experienced several seasons with high rates of hospitalization and severe disease. The CDC estimates that for the 2015-2016 influenza season, only about 45% of the population was vaccinated. Still, the vaccination prevented approximately 5.1 million influenza illnesses, 2.5 million influenza-associated medical visits, and 71,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations. While there are people who skip getting a flu vaccine because they believe they are not effective, a plethora of research disproves this misconception. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop protection against the flu. The most common side effects from a flu shot are soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, fever, and muscle aches. These side effects are NOT the flu itself. If you do experience side effects, they are usually mild and short-lived. Flu vaccines are among the safest medical products in use. Hundreds of millions of Ameri-
Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 2nd Class Dominic Baxter, assigned to Center of Information Dominance Pearl Harbor, receives the influenza vaccination at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual flu vaccinations as the best way to prevent getting the flu. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Johans Chavarro/ Released)
cans have safely received flu vaccines over the past 50 years. There has been extensive research supporting the safety of flu vaccines. The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration closely monitor the safety of vaccines approved for use in the United States. Along with the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the National Foundation of Infectious
Diseases, and many other professional medical groups recommend an annual influenza vaccine. For the 2017-2018 season, the CDC recommends the use of injectable influenza vaccines. If you have any questions, talk to your doctor or other health care professional about the benefits of flu vaccination. What is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu? Get a flu shot!
"exam" continued from Page 7 pete for advancement against peers and have their records sent to the E-7 selection boards. Selection Board Eligibility results are normally released in mid-March on the Navy Enlisted Advancement System (NEAS) website. During Advancement Examination Readiness Reviews at NETPDC, visiting E-7 to E-9 fleet subject matter experts (SMEs) in each enlisted rating ensure all examination questions can be linked to current references and publications. As rating SMEs select questions for the examination, an examination bibliography is developed for that specific cycle’s exam, based on the source references used to formulate questions on the exam. The Navy Advancement Center (NAC) updates bibliography information as fleet instructions and manuals change, and it is recommended that candidates check their bibliographies a few times prior to the exam administration date to make sure they have the most recent BIBs. “Bibliographies and their listed references should be a critical part of each Sailor's exam preparation program,” added Prichard. “When the Cycle 242 exams were created, each test question was tied to a specific reference, and the bibliography is a compilation listing of all references used to create that specific exam. With that in mind, I would recommend Sailors use only the official Navy bibliography sources for studying their references." To download the bibliographies and an exam-specific topic list for the upcoming cycle, go to the Navy Advancement Center’s My Navy Portal bibliography page: https://www.mnp.navy. mil/group/navy-advancement-center/bibliographies or the Navy Credentialing Opportunities Online (Navy COOL) website: http://www.cool.navy.mil/usn, under the Find & Select Related Credentials, Enlisted tab. This will be the last active-duty E-7 Navy advancement examination that will consists of 25 professional military knowledge (PMK) and 150 job-specific rating technical questions. The 2020 E-7 exam will not include PMK questions, as announced in NAVADMIN 085/18. As part of Sailor 2025 and rating modernization efforts, a PMK eligibility exam was created to provide greater emphasis on PMK and to separate it from examinations on rating knowledge. Specific information on exam eligibility, clearance requirements and evaluation date requirements are detailed in NAVADMIN 214/18 and in BUPERSINST 1430.16. The NEAS website is available for education services officers to verify and correct the list of eligible candidates for their command, and confirm examination ordering information. The NEAS Web address is https://prod-neas.ncdc.navy.mil/. E-7 exam profile sheets provide candidates with information on how well they did on each topic area, and detail individual FMS totals as well as minimum selection board cut requirements. Individual Sailors may view/download their profile sheets at https://prodneas.ncdc.navy.mil/NEASRpts/Individual.aspx .
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