Serving the Nato, Naples and Gaeta military community in italy
58th year, No. 14
Libyan Military Leaders Visit Naples to Discuss Maritime Security
Friday, april 12, 2013
W hat ’ s I nsIde
By MC2 Jacob D. Moore, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/ U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs
Leaders from U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/ U.S. 6th Fleet and the Libyan navy and coast guard, met to discuss maritime security in Naples, Italy, April 3-4. During the visit, the Libyans and U.S. personnel exchanged information on maritime domain awareness (MDA), discussed strategies and cooperation between the two navies, and toured the 6th Fleet Maritime Operations Center. The conference was in response to a request by the Libya military for assistance in building their maritime capabilities since a new government was installed in July 2012. “Our hope is to improve and develop good relations with the U.S.,” said Libyan navy Capt. Mohamed Abdurahim Beshte. “Through this conference, we have achieved some of our goals, including learning about and understanding the MDA systems. Ultimately, we can use this information to make a better decision for Libya.” Both sides agreed the conference was a success and a good first step in ongoing discussions between the U.S. and Libyan maritime forces. “What we’re trying to achieve through these talks is a partnership in maritime security where transparency and interoperability
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Cmdr. Marc Scotchlas, left, discusses maritime operations with members of the Libyan navy and coast guard in the Maritime Operations Center at U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet headquarters as part of a maritime security conference at Naval Support Activity Naples. The conference was held to discuss maritime domain awareness, strategies and cooperation between the two navies. (Photo by MC2 Jacob D. Moore)
allow us to work more closely with our Libyan allies,” said Cmdr. Marc Scotchlas, North Africa Regional Engagement Team leader. “We’ve made more progress in the last 48 hours than I could have expected.” The conference was another stepping stone in what both par-
ties hope becomes a partnership that includes integrated operations and training. “I want to express my appreciation to the U.S. government and the U.S. Navy [for hosting the maritime security conference],” said Beshte. U.S. Naval Forces Europe-
Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts a full range of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation missions in concert with coalition, joint, interagency, and other parties in order to advance security and stability in Europe and Africa.
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Sexual Assault Awareness Month Aboard NSA Naples By MC3 Caitlin Feddersen, Navy Public Affairs Support Element-East Detachment Europe
Service members, spouses, and Department of Defense contractors participated in a selfdefense demonstration held aboard Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, April 4. The purpose of the class was to help educate participants in basic self-defense techniques. Sara Spiga, an Urban Krav Maga and women’s self-defense instructor, taught the class and
helped to instill confidence in participants by covering various techniques for self protection. “I hope people take away a sense of confidence from this class and the thought that they will be capable of reacting in a dangerous situation,” said Spiga. “It’s important for people to know how to avoid a potentially dangerous situation, and if they are in one, how to get out of it safely. I hope they will take away the idea that they can do it.” The class was the first in a series of selfdefense classes being held during the month. Nationally, Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Sara Spiga, an Urban Krav Maga and women's selfdefense instructor, demonstrates a self-defense technique during a free class aboard NSA Naples as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The class is part of a series being offered during the month of April at both Capodichino and Support Site bases. (Photo by MC3 Caitlin Feddersen)
occurs in April and commits to raising public awareness and promoting the prevention of sexual violence through the use of special events and public education. “A class like this is an opportunity to empower both men and women, to let them know they can stand up and defend themselves,” said Mark Malogrino, victim advocate support specialist for NSA Naples. Over the course of the class several topics were taught to participants including defensive mentality mindset, the concept of creating distance in an unsafe situation and how to defend one’s self safely. “The first thing we went over is mindset and teaching a defensive mentality, which is a big part of self defense,” said Spiga. “It’s important for people to be aware of what’s going on around them and how to react in case of danger.” The theme for this year is courage, with an additional sub-theme for each week. “Sexual assault not only affects the victim and the offender, but the commands and co-workers,” said Chris Meza, sexual assault response coordinator for NSA Naples. “There’s a ripple effect that occurs. The more awareness there is about sexual assault the more prevention there will be. The more we can educate, train and prevent sexual assault the better the overall program will be.” The next self-defense classes are scheduled for April 17 at the Capo FitZone gym and April 27 at the Support Site Fit Forum. “I’m a self-defense instructor; my mission is to teach people how to be safe and how to defend themselves,” said Spiga. “I’m happy to volunteer, especially if I know that it will help people be safer and have a better life.”
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