Lady Jaguars Softball European Champions
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Sigonella
International Yoga Day
Scuba Dive Club Conducts Underwater Clean Up
Sunrise Yoga on the Turf Field
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N A S SIG O N E L L A
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JUNE 16, 2017
Vol. 34 No. 23
Sigonella Hosts Joint-Agency Military Working Dog Training By MC2 Christopher Gordon NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Sailors on board Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella hosted joint-agency Military Working Dog (MWD) training with six local Italian agencies June 9. The training involved MWD’s from NAS Sigonella, Guardia di Finanza, Carabinieri, and Polizia. “The reason we’re doing this training is to not only increase the proficiency of our dogs, but also improve the host nation agencies that come out as well,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Joshua Sowa, the MWD joint-agency event coordinator, “We have some training aides they may or may not have, so we are creating an opportunity for them to progress their dogs, get them a new experience and increase their capabilities as well.” The training consisted of two courses for the dogs, either explosives or narcotics. In both courses, organizers strategically hid small training aids in trucks, trailers, cars, and small boxes. If the dog smells the training aid they will either sit or lay down next to it, giving the signal to the handler they found something. “This training is more geared toward the Italian’s working dogs,” said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Mara Uriarte, the public affairs representative for NAS Sigonella’s Kennel. “What we have right here is just bringing it back down to basics since this is what our MWDs were trained to do before being sent out to the fleet. We use different training aides so it’s interesting to see how the Italians perform.” After a few hours of training, the Sailors and Italian agencies packed up their dogs and training aids and moved over to the kennel for a different kind of training. The handlers from both sides sent their dogs through an obstacle course, testing the dog’s abil-
ity to follow the handler’s instruction as well as show the small crowd what they were capable of. Later, the handler’s put on bite sleeves and again showed what the dogs were capable of, this time having the dog bark at or lunge for an “assailant.” “It’s absolutely a give and take training. Since we’re hosting we made it about the host nation agencies coming on and helping them out,” said Sowa. “We always learn something new from them so it was interesting to see what they brought to the table this time. Being canine handlers we’re a little competitive by nature also so there was a little healthy competition
going on as well.” 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 Family Services and what is called the core: the fuels, water and power that keep the bases running. This training directly supports the two lines of safety and security of our installation. “Not all bases have military working dogs, so it’s a benefit that we have this
asset to protect this installation,” said Uriarte. “If you have a package that could be an IED an MWD can go and respond.” According to OPNAVINST 5585.2C, MWD’s unique capabilities are used by naval security forces to defend bases and resources, and to assist with enforcing military laws and regulations. MWDs supplement and enhance the capabilities of military security forces and when integrated into existing military forces MWD teams enable those forces to perform their mission more effectively and in many cases with significant savings in manpower, time and money.
SIGONELLA, Sicily (June 6, 2017) –Brigadiere Carabineri Pierluigi Diamanti sends his Military Working Dog (MWD) to attack Master-at-Arms 1st Class Dustin Tyler during a joint-agency MWD training with local Italian agencies on board 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 Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Gordon/Released)
Congratulations to the Class of 2017; Sigonella High School Graduates 24 Seniors Twenty-four seniors from the Sigonella High School class of 2017 received their diplomas during a graduation ceremony held at the NAS 1 Courtyard June 9. Prior to taking the stage the seniors entered the courtyard, filled with family and friends, as the school concert band played the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance.” Kendra La Rocca, an English and History teacher at Sigonella Middle High School since 2002, served as the graduation speaker for the ceremony. In her address La Rocca first thanked the parents. “Congratulations to the parents of the graduating class,” said La Rocca. “Thank you for sharing your chilSIGONELLA, Sicily (June 9, 2017) – The Sigonella High School Class of 2017 dren with us and for allowing us to celebrates graduation by tossing their caps in the air. (U.S. Navy Photo by MCC help shape them into the people they Jessica Vargas/Released) are and will become.
La Rocca went on to praise the graduating class and discussed what the true meaning of success means to her. "Congratulations to all of you, you should be very proud of yourselves for accomplishing this milestone. I know you must all be excited to get your hands on your diplomas and begin the next chapter of your lives," said La Rocca. "You will all take different paths. You will all experience the highs and lows of life, the difficult and the easy. Your true success will be defined by how you handle these moments. According to John Wooden, ‘Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of the self-satisfaction knowing that
"CONGRATULATIONS" continued on Page 14