CHOICES Fair:
Austria:
Anger:
Students learn about different career paths
What to do in Salzburg and Hallstatt!
Ways to manage anger
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N A S SIG O N E L L A
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February 26, 2016
Vol. 33 No. 8
Quick action by two Marines helps save man’s life By MC2 Ramon Go NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Driving in a foreign country can be challenging, to say the least. Unpredictable roads, a new set of driving customs and reckless drivers can have dangerous consequences. Such was the case Jan. 29, when one wrong turn led to a collision at the intersection just outside NAS 1. Without hesitation, Staff Sgt. Joseph Hunt, from Hampton, Va., and Sgt. Anthony Dougherty, from Hartford, Conn., both with the Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa (SPMAGTF-CR-Africa), responded to the incident. “We saw a bus stopped in the middle of the road surrounded by a number of people taking pictures, so we began to slow down,” said Hunt. “When we realized there was an accident and the bystanders weren’t helping, we pulled off to the side and got out to help.” Hunt and Dougherty quickly worked to create distance between the crowd and the collision and made contact with the victim. “I was afraid the guy in the car was unconscious because his eyes were closed and there was a lot blood,” said Dougherty. “Luckily he responded when I grabbed his hand and that’s when I started to check his breathing, blood pressure and look for signs of shock.” A mechanic by trade, Dougherty learned emergency response tactics from a combat life training class. “I checked to find the source of his bleeding and found only a few scrapes and bruises,” said Dougherty. “I sat down with him and made bad jokes until the military aid showed up.” While Dougherty kept the victim responsive,
NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher Dennis stands with Staff Sgt. Joseph Hunt and Sgt. Anthony Dougherty and their chain of command of the Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa after congratulating their heroic efforts on Jan. 29. Hunt and Dougherty's action helped save a man's life after a vehicle accident that occurred near NAS 1. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ramon Go/Released)
Hunt alerted the Master-at-Arms at the NAS 1 entry control point. Minutes later, the medical response team arrived to the scene and with the help of the two Marines, were able to get the victim out of the car and into the ambulance. The two Marines visited the victim in the hospital Feb. 16. Luckily the victim did not have a life-threatening injury and is expected to make a full recovery.
Fortunately the victim was wearing his seatbelt, which the Marines believe saved his life. After colliding with a bus, there wasn’t much remaining of the car. “Seatbelts are essential, especially here in Sicily. I have three kids so I make sure they are in their seats and buckled before I back out of the driveway,” said Hunt. “Follow the rules of the road.”
Fair winds and following seas to Sigonella's lead investigator MA1 Ensign By MC2 Helen Brown NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
NAS Sigonella Security Officer Lt. Juan Cardona, left, presents a fleet reserve certificate to Master-at-Arms 1st Class Michael Ensign during his retirement ceremony, Feb. 19. Ensign is the lead investigator for the criminal investigation division during his last tour before retiring from NAS Sigonella. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Helen Brown/Released)
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Master-at-Arms 1st Class Michael Ensign, Lead Investigator for the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) for NAS Sigonella celebrated his retirement from the Navy at the NAS 1 Chapel, Feb. 19. As CID Lead Investigator his duties included investigating minor crimes as well as some major crimes, misdemeanors, escort duties and other programs in support of the base mission. There are many risks associated with a career in law enforcement such as dealing with crime scenes and potentially dangerous suspects. Risks also consist of injuries, stress and potential biohazards such as infectious diseases and blood-borne pathogens. “One time we had a call about a man with a gun who had fired some gunshots in New Orleans,” recalls Ensign. “We thought he had barricaded himself in the house and we actually had to enter the house to see if he was in there which is always a very dangerous situation. I was the lead person to go in and I was really nervous about that.” The man had escaped out the back but was later captured. Despite dangerous situations such as these, Ensign feels that the rewards outweigh the risks of the job.
“It’s a rewarding job for two reasons,” said Ensign. “One, you get to help people. There are always people that lose something or something happens to them and you get to help them. The other rewarding part is that you get to catch the bad guy.” Reflecting on his career, another case sticks out in his memory. “I worked a domestic violence murder case,” said Ensign. “I had to testify in court and he got sent to Leavenworth for the rest of his life. Although it was an interesting case, it was really sad and upsetting because he had two kids. The guy had murdered his wife but we got him through forensic evidence and a confession. So I’m happy that he’s put away and that he’s not able to hurt anyone anymore.” Having a career in the Navy can guide people and help them grow as a person as well as offering other benefits. “I grew up in the Navy,” said Ensign. “I’ve been in the Navy my whole adult life so the Navy has taught me everything about being a man. I learned two different skill sets. I was in aviation and then went into law enforcement. I’m going to school right now working toward my bachelors in criminal justice.” Ensign has developed many skills
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