The Signature, November 11, 2016

Holiday Mail: Deadlines are approaching

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Eco-tourism:

Grand Opening:

Exploring Slovenia

Military Autosource

PAGEs 8-9

N A S SIG O N E L L A

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November 11, 2016

Vol. 33 No. 43

Stay Safe, Sigonella! Tips for the Holiday Season

By Nicole Ybarra NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – For many, the holidays are a time for food, family and festivities, but they also present an increased risk for fire and other accidents. According to Steven Deida, NAS Sigonella Fire Prevention Chief, cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, Deida offers the following safety tips for the Sigonella community.

Stay Safe in the Kitchen • Never leave your cooking unattended • Don’t cook under the influence • Keep combustibles (e.g. plastic bottles of condiments, kitchen hand towels, etc.) away from heat sources • If you leave the room, turn off the stove Tips for Deep Frying Turkey • Use a pot specifically designed to deep fry a turkey • Make sure the turkey is completely defrosted before you put it in the fryer • Don’t overfill the fryer with oil • Place the fryer on a level surface • Use oven mitts Christmas is also right around the corner and Christmas trees and decorative lights pose safety hazards as well. Each year there are 250 home fires involving Christmas trees and 170 home fires involving holiday lights and other decorative lighting. If you plan to purchase a real tree, make sure that it is not too dry. You can test this by shaking the tree before you bring it home. Only a few needles should fall off and needles should bounce back easily if bent – otherwise the tree is too dry and could easily catch fire. Once home, make sure you hydrate. Trees need around one gallon of water per day to stay hydrated and decorative lights tend

The holidays can present an increased risk for fire and other safety hazards. NAS Sigonella Safety, Fire Prevention and U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella will be hosting a holiday safety stand down Nov. 15 and 18 to help educate the Sig' community on potential holiday hazards.

to dry up your tree sooner. Place the tree at least 10 feet from heat sources, clear of exit pathways.

Holiday Decorating Tips • Cut 1-2 inches off the bottom of your tree to allow the tree to absorb water and water daily!

• Always turn off decorative lighting at bedtime or when leaving for an extended period of time • Ensure that outdoor decorative lighting is rated for the outdoors and do not turn on during rain • Water and debris can get into outdoor sockets so make sure outdoor lights are plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter

outlet to reduce the risk of shorts and shocks NAS Sigonella Safety, Fire Prevention and U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella will be hosting a holiday safety stand-down Nov. 15 and 18 to help educate the Sig’ community on potential holiday hazards.

Dates: Nov. 15 and 18, 9 – 10:30 a.m. and 1 – 2:30 p.m.

Location: NAS 2 - NAVFAC Training Classroom Dates: Nov. 18, 9 – 10:30 a.m. and 1 – 2:30 p.m.

Location: NAS 1 - Base Movie theater For more information, contact the Safety Department at 624-5630.

Raising the Bar: New Water Tower for Sig' Community

By Lt andriana genualdi NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – As many members of the community have noticed, there is a new addition to the NAS 1 skyline; a water tower in the same style as the tower at NAS 2. The project to construct the new tower was awarded to SKE Contractors, an Italian construction contractor, on June 19, 2015 and will be under construction until February 2017. The total cost of construction is $1.34M. The new tower will hold 106,920 gallons of water, all potable, and will serve

as a redundant water source for the base for uses ranging from drinking water to putting out fires.

The NAVFAC Public Works Department is involved in the planning and oversight of this major construction project. The NAVFAC construction team, led by Ms. Delories King, ensures that the work is being performed safely, and according to contract specifications.

“The previous construction manager PCSed halfway through the project, and I was selected to take over for him,” said King. “Although every project is interesting in its own way, this one is especially

interesting to me. Constructing buildings, doing renovations, and replacing equipment are part of my everyday job, but a water tower is out of the ordinary.”

Mr. Daniele Terranova, of SKE, serves as the Site Safety and Health Officer and Superintendent for the project. Terranova has been on the job from the very beginning and is a key player in the success of the project. “It has gone faster than we expected, and we are very pleased with the progress,” said Terranova.

Terranova, who has 20 years of experience working on construction projects for the base, said that this is his first water

The new tower will hold 106,920 gallons of water, all potable, and will serve as a redundant water source for the base for uses ranging from drinking water to putting out fires. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Andriana Genualdi/Released)

tower project. On the construction site he showed how the tower was raised in place. The bowl is supported by a ring of steel forms with pistons that lift it up to create a void while concrete is poured into place below. Once that layer is dry the pistons raise the steel forms creating a new void which is then filled with a subsequent layer of concrete.

This process was repeated for 30 days resulting in a 24.37 meter shaft. Including the red and white checkered bowl, the full height of the tower is 33.46 meters.

For those curious as to the reason behind the red and white checkered pattern painted on the bowl, the pattern is to make the tower more visible to aircraft.

Now that the tower is at its full height, internal piping, internal stairs, electrical and communication infrastructure, are all being installed. Additionally, to connect the tower’s electrical and communications systems to the water treatment plant, the road in front of the commissary from the new tower to the water treatment plant just past the fire station will have to be excavated to install the infrastructure.

Instead of stainless steel piping, this project will use high density plastic pipe for the two main supply and drainage pipes inside the shaft of the tower. This pipe is resistant to corrosion, easily maintained, less expensive and easier to install.

Once the new water tower is online, the skyline of NAS 1 will change yet again with the demolition of the old, smaller capacity, water tower which has reached the end of its useful life.

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November 11, 2016

Direct Line

Command Master Chief Mike Kaszubowski Saluti, Sigonella!!

I would like to wish you all a happy Veterans Day. In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11th as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

We call this a holiday. But for many veterans, it's another day of memories that drive them to live their lives each day as best as they possibly can. For our service members down range, it is another day in harm's way. For their families, it is another day to feel the absence of a loved one, and the concern for their safety. For our wounded warriors, it is another day of slow and arduous recovery. So while it is important and appropriate that we mark this day, it is far more important we spend all our days determined to keep the promises that we've made to all who answer our country's call.

I ask each and every Sig’ citizen to take a moment on November 11th and reflect for a minute about the service and sacrifice all of us make for this country and for those who cannot be with us here today. Most people in America BBQ or have

parties on Veterans Day, and they should, because due to the sacrifice of our service members and dependents, we are able to keep our country safe and free from harm.

Thanksgiving is also right around the corner.

Thanksgiving Day can be traced back to the 1621 celebration at the Plymouth Plantation, where religious refugees from England, known popularly as the Pilgrims, invited the local Native Americans to a harvest feast after a particularly successful growing season.

The previous year's harvests had failed and in the winter of 1620 half of the pilgrims starved to death. Luckily for the rest, members of the local Wampanoag tribe taught the Pilgrims how to grow corn, beans and squash (the Three Sisters); catch fish, and collect seafood. There are only two contemporary accounts of the 1621 Thanksgiving, but it's clear that turkey was not on the menu. The three-day feast included goose, lobster, cod and deer. Pilgrim Edward Winslow wrote a letter about that now-famous meal in 1621 which mentioned a turkey hunt before the dinner.

Another theory says the choice of turkey was inspired by Queen Elizabeth I who was eating dinner when she heard that Spanish ships had sunk on their way to attack England. She was so thrilled with the news she ordered another goose be served.

Some claim early US settlers roasted turkeys as they were inspired by her actions. Others say that

as wild turkeys are native to North America, they were a natural choice for early settlers.

I hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving celebration! As always Sigonella, lead yourself exceptionally well, create opportunities for others to succeed and have a positive attitude. See you around the base.

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 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 Suggestion Box is NOT a forum for meanspirited attacks. * If you submit a "BZ" about a specific person or department, PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR NAME in order to ensure comment authenticity and therefore publically 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 “BZ for Safety”: Vittorio Scalia recently conducted a safety inspection for our facilities. While he found a few issues we needed to resolve, he was both incredibly helpful and had a great attitude--both of which helped us correct our safety shortcomings.

His work was greatly appreciated!

Response: Thank you for taking the time to recognize Mr. Scalia. I have passed along your gratitude and share your appreciation for the great work of Mr. Scalia and our entire Safety Department.

Comment regarding “BZ for CDC”: We have been very impressed with the CDC and the care they provide to our daughter. Ms. Charlene is always welcoming in the morning to greet us. The ladies in the room with our daughter are fabulous at communicating everything that happens during the day. Ms. Nuria, Ms. Maria, Ms. Hazel, Ms. Cherry, and Ms. Karla are fantastic at working with us and providing support to what we are doing at home to further our daughter's development. We have been incredibly happy with the transition of placing our first child under the care of people other than family.

Sincerely, Sarah Buck Response: Dear Mrs. Buck, I never tire of hearing about our folks delivering CO Customer Service. I have shared your appreciation with the wonderful staff of the CDC. Your note and those like it are a nice thank you to those meeting and exceeding our expectations!

Comment regarding “Pets Not on Leashes”: Has there been a change to the policy regarding pets on leashes in Marinai Housing? I have noticed several Marinai residents walking their pets off a leash without consideration for others who walk their pets on a leash. Why does this continue to be a problem? I have also noticed that Security has driven past some of these same residents without even stopping to inform them of the policy.

Walking pets without a leash can be dangerous to other pet owners as well as their pets. What can be done to resolve this issue?

Response: Thank you for your comment and the opportunity to clarify. According to NASSIGINST 11101.4J/5000.2F all pets must be on a leash at all times. If you encounter an unleashed dog I encourage you to kindly remind the owner.

Violations of any provisions of this instruction will result in issuance of an Animal Incident Report with Security. After violation(s), depending on the circumstances, offending animals may be designated a “nuisance,” which may result in the owner’s loss of pet privileges. For further questions, please contact the Housing Director, Peter Faulk at 624-4070 or peter.faulk@eu.navy.mil.

Comment regarding “Galley Hours”: Currently the Galley serves three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).

There are plenty of members of the NAS Sigonella community that work nights on a daily basis and cannot get food at night. Currently, the only option is to go to Big Al’s before 2230, which does not offer many healthy options. This means there are no options to get food at the Galley between 1830 and 0630. If the Galley were to start serving midnight chow, it would improve the health and morale of night workers, and provide a healthier and more cost effective way to get a midnight meal. This alternative would also offer late night meal options to other members of the base and lead to additional work hours for our local national employees.

Sincerely, Michael Warren Response: Mr. Warren, Thank you for your interest in the NASSIG Galley however the Galley is not funded or resourced to support late-evening (midrats meal) or a 24/7 food service operation. That said, for Sailors on RIK (Ration In Kind), the galley can provide boxed meals as an option for those that work irregular shifts.

If this option works, then please have a supervisor submit the request to the Galley 24 hours in advance of the required dates with their name and meal pass number. For further information or questions please contact the Food Service Officer, CWO3 Marigundon at 624-5739.

November 11, 2016

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THE SIGNATURE U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA Commanding Officer Capt. Brent Trickel Executive Officer Cmdr. Charles G. McKinney II Command Master Chief CMDCM Mike Kaszubowski EDITORIAL Public Affairs Officer Lt. Andriana Genualdi andriana.genualdi@eu.navy.mil Assistant Public Affairs Officer Nicole Ybarra nicole.ybarra@eu.navy.mil Community Relations Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta alberto.lunetta.it@eu.navy.mil PAO Staff Writers \ Photographers MC2 Ramon Go ramon.go@eu.navy.mil YN2 Gabrielle Milly gabrielle.milly@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

Name: PO3 Rhonda Fiataugaluia Dept: NAVSUP FLC Sigonella Hometown: Brownwood, Texas Petty Officer Fiataugaluia reported to her first duty station and an overseas tour at Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP FLC) nearly three years ago. With one month left before her PCS (permanent change of station), she has to pack her belongings, make arrangements for leave back home, and say arrivederci to her co-workers, friends and Sicily.

"Sigonella was a great first duty station.

I've gotten to see different parts of Europe, and learn a new trade in the Navy. I feel fortunate to have experienced different cultures at such a young age. It has given me a new appreciation for America and our way of life."

Fiataugaluia began her trade at the Postal Service Center where she learned a small portion of her rate and what used to be Logistics Specialist (LS). Working in Postal Service, you have to be flexible because the workload fluctuates with the amount of mail received that day. "Some days, we don't receive any mail and we are out the door by noon but some days we are there until 10 p.m."

When an opening in Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Management became available, she requested to be transfered so that she could learn another side of the LS rate.

"I update the shelf life of all of the hazardous materials to make sure they are in compliance and ready to use. When materials expire, we have to remove them from the counter and update our system.

We check all of our inventory annually, and it is very labor intensive and time consuming to go through them all. But the plus side of the job is that I can be independent. Working in HAZMAT is different from the Postal Service because I can do a little piece of everything and I'm not limited to one area of responsibility.

I manage the whole warehouse compared to doing just one job. I now have a broader experience base that will help me at my next command."

LS, now Navy Occupational Specialist B740, is a broad trade where Fiataugaluia

still has a lot to learn like aviation supply, general storekeeping, and disbursing.

At her next command in Whidbey Island, Wash., she will work with a squadron much like the squadrons deployed in Sigonella. "I am nervous and excited at the same time. I've never been on a deployment, but I am excited to learn and be back in America."

Looking back, Fiataugaluia knew what she wanted to do. "I joined the Navy because I didn't want to go to college right away and I didn't want to be a bum at home with a rinky-dink McDonald's job so I decided to follow in my parents' footsteps to join the Navy. My mom enlisted for four years as a data processing technician.

My dad retired as a senior chief petty officer at 27 years as a Mineman."

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 factorof 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 proceeding 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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November 11, 2016

Sigonella Kicks Off Competitive Youth Soccer

by Carrie Kilduff

NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – The kids on the Sigonella Youth Soccer Team, a competitive youth team for children aged 7 – 10-years-old, recently participated in the 2016 Calcio Catania Halloween Youth Soccer Tournament. The youths played friendly games against the Calcio Catania Youth Team and Mascalucia Football Club.

Sigonella’s team has been practicing for the past month and the match was their first time playing a game together as a team. The scrimmages were a great experience for players to become familiar playing as a team. In addition, the opportunity to play against two top local Italian teams was a unique opportunity for the Sigonella club, and the children enjoyed playing in a stadium atmosphere against local kids.

Coach Marlon Gomez, who recently arrived at NAS Sigonella, is looking to expand the soccer team so that it can compete against more local teams and even teams in other cities. What a great opportunity and experience this is for the kids of Sigonella.

“We will be hosting a one-day Holiday Tournament in a few weeks here in Sigonella to continue to compete and enhance our host nation relationships. In the future, we hope to travel across the island and possibly to the mainland to compete against the very best that Europe has to offer!” said Gomez.

For game and training information go to the Sigonella Youth Soccer Facebook page. See you on the pitch!!

Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella youth faced off in their first competitive youth soccer match against Calcio Catania Youth Team and Mascalucia Football Club. The Sigonella Youth Soccer Team is comprised of children aged seven to 10-years-old. (Photo courtesy of Marlon Gomez)

Need an appointment at the hospital?

Call DSN 624-CARE (2273) or commercial: 095-56-2273, M - F: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

For non-emergent medical questions that arise over the Weekend, Holidays, or after office hours, please call the Nurse Advice Line at 800-877-660 (local/Italy only) Need a medication refill or results from your Provider?

Create an account with Relay Health using your PCM... www.relayhealth.com (click: register, patient, then add PCM)

November 11, 2016

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USN Retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Carl L. Washington continues to serve his country by volunteering with NAS Sigonella's Red Cross and at U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella’s MID Department. (Photo courtesy of ARC Sigonella)

Sigonella American Red Cross Veterans Appreciation

By Kala Kirk American Red Cross Sigonella

NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Carl L. Washington is a veteran of the U.S. Navy who retired as a Chief Warrant Officer after ascending from the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. His last duty assignment was for NAVSUP NOLSC AMMO in Mechanicsburg, Penn. where he served in the Crisis Response Cell Ordnance Officer position.

Washington was in charge of handling the logistics for distributing ammunition to all Department

of Defense (DOD) forces. Washington has been with the Sigonella American Red Cross chapter for eight months and also volunteers at U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella's Management Information Department (MID) division where he resolves computer and phone-related issues. Washington continues to serve his country through his volunteer efforts with the American Red Cross in support of the men and women of the U.S. military.

The Sigonella American Red Cross would like to wish our service members a happy Veterans Day and express its gratitude for their service.

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November 11, 2016

Venice to Impose Limits on Tourist Numbers Story by La Stampa/The Telegraph

Tourists wishing to visit Venice may need to purchase a ticket first. The most romantic city in the world is also now among the most crowded. The root cause of this overcrowding was All Saint’s Day and the earthquake that recently rattled Central Italy, leading many visitors to steer clear of the art cities in this part of the country. Last weekend Venice experienced some of the darkest days in its recent history, featuring congested roads, mile-long traffic lines on the Ponte della Libertà and jam-packed trains that resembled chicken coops. Now that the city has overcome its umpteenth crowd crisis, the words on everyone’s lips are “Never again.”

The only feasible solution seems to be an online booking system. The “Lagoon-saving” quota system would be introduced as early as next summer. There are various ideas on how to implement this but the turnstiles in Piazzale Roma and at the city’s train station appear a utopia. It may be more practical to introduce more technological solutions such as wall control panels and a smartphone app to access streets and canals. There’s just one tiny little problem: What about miscreants?

In an interview with La Stampa, Venice’s mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, an entrepreneur who was elected mayor on a center-right platform last year, gave his take on the idea of imposing limits on visitors to the city. He does not see mass tourism as a crisis. On the contrary, as far as he is concerned, without tourists, Venice is toast. “Everyone’s lecturing us, so I have set up a public commission. Whoever has any suggestions on regulating tourism, whether it’s politicians, experts, the professions, associations or ordinary citizens, they can write these suggestions down and send them to us.

It’s now or never.”

Regarding tourist quotas, he said: “The city is open to everyone, I would never shut anyone out. A guest is a guest,” the mayor added. “But there aren’t many benefits to shortstay tourism and it creates costs for the city, so it needs to be regulated.” The idea being mulled over at the moment is for tourists to make a contribution that would be inversely proportional to the length of their stay. Day-trippers would pay more, while the cost of their contribution would drop for each extra night spent in the city.

Tempers have been frayed in the World Heritage-listed city this summer, with residents rallying against the daily influx of up to 70,000 tourists – many of whom are day trippers and cruise ship passengers.

In September, hundreds of protesters used gondolas and small boats to prevent cruise ships from passing through the lagoon, and in August posters appeared bearing, in English, the words: “Tourists Go Away!!! You Are Destroying This Area”. In July, the United Nations warned that Venice will be placed on UNESCO’s list of endangered heritage sites if Italy fails to ban giant cruise ships from the city’s lagoon by 2017.

“The government is studying a strategic plan for tourism with the aim of reducing the overcrowding of the most popular places and offering alternative destinations,” Dorina Bianchi, Italian deputy minister of culture, told La Stampa newspaper earlier this year.

“At any time after 9 am, the vast majority of the people you see on the streets of Venice are tourists. And everyone’s

"VENICE" continued on Page 14

Venice authorities are considering limiting the number of tourists flooding the streets of Venice to avoid congestion and overcrowding by introducing an online-booking system and smartphone app to control the number of visitors. (Photo by http://ilariaborletti.it/)

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November 11, 2016

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Navy's Mobile User Objective System-5 Satellite Reaches Orbit From Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Navy's fifth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite has reached operational orbit and has successfully deployed its arrays and antennas.

On Oct. 22, the MUOS team raised the MUOS-5 satellite to an operationally-suitable orbit. The team completed a series of deployments of the satellite's solar arrays and antennas, with the last occurring successfully Oct. 30.

MUOS-5 launched June 24 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and experienced a failure of its orbit raising propulsion system that halted the satellite's transfer orbit maneuver to its geosynchronous test orbit. The MUOS team ensured the satellite remained stable, safe, and under positive control while it investigated the issue and examined options.

"We are very proud of the commitment our team members demonstrated," said Capt. Joe Kan, program manager for the Navy Communications Satellite Program Office. "Working together with industry, we were able to execute an

alternative propulsion method to maneuver MUOS-5 to reach a position that is operationally suitable."

MUOS-5 is scheduled to begin on-orbit Nov. 3. It will complete the five-satellite MUOS constellation once on-orbit testing is complete.

"The system will undergo on-orbit testing before final acceptance of the system by the Navy and offering it up for operational use," said Cmdr.

Jason Pratt, MUOS principal assistant program manager. "The satellite and its payloads will go through rigorous tests with our ground systems and terminals to make sure everything operates properly."

The MUOS system is designed to provide improved communications capabilities to users around the world, regardless of where they are in relation to a satellite. The MUOS constellation and associated ground network will provide 3G-like cellphone communications for the next decade and beyond.

The Navy's Program Executive Office for Space Systems, located at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command in San Diego, is re-

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying the MUOS-5 mission lifts off from Space Launch Complex. (U.S. Navy Photo by United Launch Alliance/Released)

sponsible for the MUOS program.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www. twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/spawar/ or http://www.public.navy.mil/ spawar/PEOSpaceSystems/.

Navy Celebrates 2016 American Indian, Alaska Native Heritage Month

Staff members perform a traditional tribal dance at Naval Hospital Bremerton for a Native American Heritage Ceremony in honor of Native American Heritage Month.

(U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Shauna C. Sowersby/Released) From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy joins the nation in celebrating American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage throughout the month of November.

This year's theme, "Serving our Nations," represents American Indians and Alaska Natives, both civilian and military, as U.S. citizens and citizens of their tribes.

Today, National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month is celebrated to recognize the intertribal cultures of Native Americans and to inform the public of the rich heritage, history, and traditions of American Indian and Alaska Native peoples.

More than 9,000 Sailors and 2,000 civilians of American Indian and Alaska Native heritage serve in the Navy. According to the U.S. Department of Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs, 565 federally-recognized American Indian tribes and Alaska Natives reside in the United States, composed of nearly 4.5 million American Indians and Alaska Natives, or 1.5 percent of the nation's population.

American Indians and Alaskan Natives have served honorably in the United States Navy for more than 200 years. During the 20th century, three Sailors of American Indian heritage received the Medal of Honor -- including Navy Cmdr.

Ernest E. Evans, of Cherokee and Creek ancestry, who was awarded the medal posthumously for his actions during the Battle of Leyte Gulf while commanding destroyer USS Johnston (DD 557) Oct. 25, 1944.

Petty Officer 1st Class James Elliot Williams, a South Carolina Cherokee, received the Medal of Honor for heroic actions as a river patrol boat commander in South Vietnam's Mekong Delta Oct. 31, 1966. He is the most decorated enlisted Sailor in Navy history. In December 2004, guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) was commissioned and named after Williams.

Lt. Michael Edwin Thorton, a South Carolina Cherokee, received the Medal of Honor for his heroic action as a petty officer second class SEAL in the Mekong Delta Oct. 31, 1972.

Patriots of American Indian and Alaskan Native heritage continue to build legacies of freedom and diversity. Serving today, Rear Adm. Jeffrey Trussler, an Oklahoma Cherokee, was commissioned at the Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, and qualified as a submarine officer. He was a recipient of the Naval Submarine League's Rear Adm. Jack Darby Award for Inspirational Leadership and Excellence in Command for 2006, and as a member of the Cherokee Nation was the American Indian Science and Engineering Society Executive Excellence award winner for 2008.

For more information about American Indians and Alaska Natives, visit https://www.public.navy.mil/BUPERS-NPC/SUPPORT/21ST_CENTURY_SAILOR/ DIVERSITY/Pages/DiversityObservances.aspx or the Naval History and Heritage command site, http://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/diversity/americanindians.html.

For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnp/.

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November 11, 2016

eco Tourism in Slovenia by nicole ybarra NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

Slovenia has traditionally been Italy’s lesser known neighbor when compared to France or Germany. But its abundance of natural beauty and diverse range of outdoor activities make it a welcomed alternative to yet another cathedral hopping holiday. Covered in dense forests set against picturesque mountain peaks, it is the only country in Europe that combines the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Pannonian Plain and the Karst.

I recently visited Bled, Slovenia with my husband and two young children, spending two nights at Garden Village Bled, an ecotourism resort just a short walk from Lake Bled. The grounds are situated over a stream where guests can go fishing and the accomodations are truly unique. We stayed in a private, two-level tree house. Despite minor inconveniences (the world’s smallest shower meant you can only take a 5-minute sideways shower before the hot water ran out), it was a unique experience.

The treehouses are connected by a suspension bridge and overlook the fishing river. Beneath the treehouses are pier tents and “glamping” tents. For

those not ready to make the full transition to true camping, the bi-level glamping tents offer a hot tub, cable TV and patio area. Pier tents are situated over a dock and you can fish right from your tent.

The hotel grows everything they need for the restaurant right on the grounds and guests are welcome to pick and eat whatever they see growing.

The dining tables are covered in grass and feature herbs that you can use with your meals.

With so many amenities, including a greenhouse, a freshwater pool, an amazing restaurant, and Finnish sauna, you could spend your entire holiday at the resort. But just a short walk from the hotel is Lake Bled.

The area surrounding the lake is lined with shops, restaurants, and even an ice hockey rink (my husband was very excited about this). However, the star of Lake Bled is the Church on the Island, reachable only by pletnja, a unique covered wooden boat, iconic of Slovenia. The interior of the church is decorated by frescos from the Gothic period depicting Mary’s life and the main altar with a rich golden carving. Many a groom has ascended the 99 stone steps, their bride in their arms, to ring the “”wishing bell”. According to the legend, a young

widow Poliksena once lived at the Bled Castle, who had a bell casted for the chapel on the island in memory of her husband. During the transport of the bell, a terrible storm struck the boat and sank it together with the crew and the bell, which to this day is said to ring from the depths of the lake. It is said whomever rings this bell will have their wish come true.

A short drive from Lake Bled is Triglav National Park which covers 838 square kilometres along Slovenia's border with Italy and Austria. It is almost entirely covered by the Eastern Julian Alps. A major feature of the park is Slovenia’s biggest glacial lake – Lake Bohinj. Various water sports are popular here in the summer, while in winter, crowds come to ski at nearby Vogel and to ski tour.

Slovenia's main airport is Ljubjana but you can also fly into Venice and drive to Lake Bled. The two-and-a-half hour journey offers some beautiful landscape to help pass the time.

If you've reached your threshold of cathedrals and Renaissance art, consider an eco-friendly weekend in Slovenia. The variety of activities, natural beauty and close proximity to Italy make it an ideal destination for your next holiday.

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All Hands News Bulletin:

ficer via an ICE comment under "Hospital Staff / Customer Relations." We are excited to provide these facility improvements to the community.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION! U.S. NAVAL HOSPITAL SIGONELLA

ROAD CLOSURE HALSEY ROAD Command, Department or Organization: NAVFAC PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Date of Event: 24-OCT-2016 TO 30-NOV-2016 Time of Event: DAILY Location of Event: NAS1 HALSEY ROAD BETWEEN WATER PLANT AND FIRST ENTRANCE TO COMMISSARY PARKING LOT Point of Contact Name: DELORIES KING Point of Contact Phone Number: 624-5014 Point of Contact Email Address: DELORIES.KING@EU.NAVY.MIL Additional Information: TRAFFIC DELAYS CAN BE EXPECTED FOR THE DURATION OF THE ROAD CLOSURE. SINGLE LANE TRAFFIC SHOULD BE EXPECTED. TRAFFIC SIGNALS, SIGNAGE, AND CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL WILL BE PRESENT TO DIRECT TRAFFIC DURING WORKING HOURS.

Please pardon our dust, but big changes are happening at U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella! Starting in September 2016, USNH Sigonella's main facility, Building 273, will be undergoing major renovations to increase the functionality, quality, and safety of the building for our patients, staff, and the community.

You may have already noticed some minor renovations to administrative areas currently underway. Major construction will begin next week and continue until April 2018. The hospital will receive new flooring in all spaces, an upgraded domestic water piping system, and new public and patient restrooms. Our goal is to limit disruptions to patient care and inconvenience to our patients. All departments will remain operational for the entire period of construction. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this construction may cause. If you have any concerns regarding safety or have questions about the construction in general, please contact our Customer Service Of-

Sigonella Religious Ministries Department Worship Services 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

NAS 1 Mondays AA Meeting: 1800-1900 Tuesdays Protestant Women of the Chapel......0900-1100 Daily Mass: ..........................................1130-1230 AWANA: ..............................................1645-1900 Youth for Christ (YFC) Youth Meeting: .....................................................1200-1430 Wednesdays Protestant Men of the Chapel: ..........0600-0700 Daily Mass: ..........................................1130-1230 Catholic Ladies' Guild (3rd Wednesday): .....................................................1600-1800

Thursdays Daily Mass: ..........................................1130-1230 Youth for Christ (YFC) Youth Meeting: .....................................................1200-1530 Choir Practice: 1630-1800 The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): .........................1800-2030

Catholic Religious Education (DoDDS): .....................................................1045-1200 Protestant Service: ..............................1100-1200 Latter-Day Saints Service: .................1330-1600

NAS 2

Fridays Daily Mass: ..........................................1130-1230 First Friday Mass and Holy Hour: ....1700-1830

Wednesdays Knights of Columbus (1st Wednesdays): .....................................................1700-1800 Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC): ....................................................1800-2100

Saturdays First Saturday Rosary and Mass:.......1100-1200

Thursdays AA Meeting: ........................................1800-1900

Sundays Catholic Mass: .....................................0900-1000

Sundays Protestant Service and Fellowship:....1800-2000

Weekly Traffic Report: Oct. 31 - Nov. 7, 2016

Ristorante Bella Etna

Breakfast: $3.45 Mon - Fri: 6:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Weekend / Holiday: 7-9 a.m.

Lunch: $5.55 Mon - Fri: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Weekend / Holiday: 11 a.m. -1 p.m.

Dinner: $4.85 Mon - Fri: 4 - 6 p.m.

Weekend / Holiday: 4-6 p.m.

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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Military Autosource Opening at NAS 2

For the last 20 years, Military AutoSource (MAS) has assisted thousands of service members from their trailer on NAS 2. On Nov. 1, MAS bid a fond farewell to their trailer and moved into a new office beside the Navy Exchange Mini-Mart. Military AutoSource celebrated the move with a car show featuring a BBQ, t-shirts, and the grand prize of a genuine Harley Davidson leather jacket. “It feels great to be in the new office, which allows us to offer a more professional service to our members,” said George Sherlock, MAS sales representative. “We look forward to continuing assisting members with their auto purchases, whether they decide to pick up here locally, or back in the U.S.” John Sisson, NEX general manager, was on hand to cut the ribbon and declare the new facility officially open and ready to serve. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ramon Go/Released)

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GAMEZONE LA BAMBA LONELY TEARDROPS LONG TALL SALLY MACK THE KNIFE MANNISH BOY MAYBELLENE MISTY MONA LISA MOVE IT MYSTERY TRAIN NIGHT TRAIN ONLY YOU PEGGY SUE RAVE ON

RED HOT RIP IT UP RUMBLE SEARCHIN' SHOUT SIXTEEN TONS SPEEDO SUZIE Q TAKE FIVE TEQUILA TUTTI FRUTTI YAKETY YAK YOU SEND ME

MEDIUM

BLUEBERRY HILL BO DIDDLEY BYE BYE LOVE CRAZY ARMS DJANGO DONNA EVERYDAY FEVER HEARTBREAK HOTEL HONKY TONK HOUND DOG JAILHOUSE ROCK KANSAS CITY

EASY

Find and circle all of the 1950's song titles that are hidden in the grid.

The remaining letters spell the title of an additional 1950's song.

DIFFICULT

1950's Songs

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"VENICE" continued from Page 6 catering to them,” Venice resident and guidebook author Michela Scibilia told Telegraph Travel. “Your butcher is selling them water, your grocer is selling them ice creams.”

Locals, says Scibilia, resent feeling like an afterthought: “The city’s on the verge of collapse, and drastic decisions need to be taken.” Venice wouldn't be the only destination in Italy to consider limiting visitors. In February, Cinque Terre National Park on the Italian Riviera announced that it would introduce a tourist cap over the summer to reduce numbers from 2.5 million to 1.5 million – however, the local government quietly retracted the pledge.

According to park authorities, visitor figures for 2016 are expected to exceed last year’s by 20 per cent.

Italian Researcher Creates a Gelato That Makes You More Athletic Story by The Local An Italian cardiologist and lifelong ice cream enthusiast has created a unique gelato which is not only delicious, but may also help you live a longer, healthier life - and even run faster.

Researcher Valerio Sanguigni has patented a recipe for an ice cream with antioxidant properties. His tasty creation has proven health benefits and can improve sport performance in young people.

Sanguigni, who is a professor at The University of Rome Tor Vergata, told La Repubblica that he wanted to "shed some light on the jungle of substances which contain antioxidants."

Antioxidants can help improve heart health and prevent certain diseases, and studies have repeatedly linked them to living a longer life.

The antioxidant properties of many traditional Italian foods, such as red wine, extra virgin olive oil and tomatoes, are thought to contribute to the longevity of Italians – a population whose number of centenarians has tripled in less than 15 years. However, Sanguigni says that many hyped superfoods lose their antioxidant properties before they reach our tables.

The foods which best conserve the substances include dried fruits, cocoa beans and green tea, he says – and low, controlled temperatures help, too. So gelato is the perfect way to eat your way to a healthy heart.

The scientist created three types of ice cream (chocolate, hazelnut and green tea flavor) following a secret recipe at a Rome gelateria, before transporting it to the university on his moped.

There, he carried out tests to check the effectiveness of the antioxidant dessert. Participants took blood tests before and after sampling the gelato (with some taking a placebo, a standard chocolate ice cream) and were also asked to pedal as fast as they could on an exercise bike.

The tests showed that the gelato improved vascular function and also improved participants' physical performance. These changes were not observed in those who ate the placebo ice cream.

"Who says that healthy foods have to taste bad?" asks Sanguigni.

November 11, 2016

The results of the study - which the researcher believes is the first in the world to show that a gelato can have benefits for health and physical performance - were published in scientific journal Nutrition.

It will take time before the antioxidant gelato will find its way to your local gelateria, however; for now, it has only been manufactured in small doses for the scientific tests.

‘Godmothers’ Increasingly Powerful in Italian Mafia Families Story by breitbart.com There has been a steady increase in the number of women in positions of power among the different branches of the Italian mafia, with some as brutal and calculating as the men they are replacing, according to recent reports.

In the Camorra, for instance, the Naples-based Mafia clan, prosecutors estimate that the number of active women is 10 times higher than it was in the 1980s or 1990s, and many more women are winding up arrested or killed.

Analysts suggest that the reason behind female Mafiose rising to power has nothing to do with feminist empowerment and everything to do with demographics. Women are taking over when their male family members are sent to jail or killed.

“There is a growing number of women who hold executive roles in the Camorra,” said General Gaetano Maruccia, commander of the Carabinieri paramilitary police in the Naples area. “They are either widows of mob bosses or wives of husbands who have been put in prison. They hold the reins.”

Mothers, daughters, sisters and sisters-in-law are “assuming ever-more leading roles,” according to Stefania Castaldi, a Naples-based prosecutor who investigates organized crime.

But for whatever the motives, the transition has been real and relentless. “In Naples, we say, ‘The bosses gave their balls to their wives,’” says Cristina Pinto, a reformed Camorra boss who served 23 years of jail time for her crimes.

“Now the power is in the hands of the women mobsters. These women are worse than men. They order murders just like that, not even thinking about the consequences. They are violent and irrational. Money and power make them crazy,” she said.

This phenomenon is not limited to Naples. Women bosses or “godmothers” can now be found in every branch of the Italian mafia: the Camorra in Naples, the Cosa Nostra in Sicily. the ‘Ndrangheta in Calabria, and the Sacra Corona Unita in Apulia.

According to the Italian Ministry of Justice, more than 150 Mafia women are now locked up in Italian prisons, and nearly all of them had leadership roles in one of the Mafia branches.

In Sicily, for instance, having women in positions of power in Cosa Nostra is now an accepted reality, something that wasn’t the case just a few decades ago. According to one Palermo prosecutor, Francesca Mazzocco, there are around 20 Cosa Nostra families active in the main cities and towns of Sicily, a third of which are either led by women or have women among their most powerful members. “If the husband was very strong, then the woman gets more respect,” Ms. Mazzocco said.

One of the groundbreakers was Giuseppa (Giusy) Vitale, the first woman considered the real head of a Sicilian crime family, or in local jargon, one of the “bosses in skirts and high heels.”

“Giusy is a woman who sacrificed her femininity to almost become a man, shaped by her brothers in their image and likeness, ruthless and cruel, ready to order a murder with the click of her fingers,” says Alessandra Ziniti, a journalist in Palermo with the Italian daily La Repubblica.

To avoid prison, Vitale later became a pentita, collaborating with law enforcement, and reportedly now lives under a witness protection program in a secret location. Another Sicilian godmother, Teresa Marino, allegedly took over for her husband, Tommaso Lo Presti, when the latter was sent to prison for his mafia activities in Palermo.

“The role she assumed as head of the clan shows that times have changed – these days there is equality of the sexes, even within Cosa Nostra,” said Leonardo Agueci, a Palermo prosecutor.

November 11, 2016

Mailing Meat Stateside Draws Fines

By Robert Szostek U.S. European Command Customs Public Affairs Office

WIESBADEN, Germany — U.S. personnel in Europe often receive notices of removal from the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) because they mailed packages of wurst, ham or pâté to the United States. CBP conducts inspections of mail arriving stateside for prohibited animal products.

Regardless of the method of import, fines can be imposed by CBP agriculture specialists who detect prohibited animal products that were not declared.

Infestations of animal disease can cost the U.S. taxpayer much more -- millions of dollars each year.

It is illegal to send meats and sausages to the U.S. without USDA approval. Even pasta or soup mixes that contain dried meat are not allowed. This is worth remembering when you are thinking of gifts to send to friends and family at Christmas-time.

CBP routinely checks packages from overseas and has dogs specially trained to sniff out food. Trying to “sneak” meats into the country is a violation.

“All packages mailed to the U.S. must have a customs declaration,” said Julie Aliaga-Milos, USDA adviser at the USEUCOM Customs and Border Clearance Agency. “In many cases, people falsely list the contents of packages.

Willfully trying to sneak prohibited or restricted items into the U.S. without declaring them is considered smuggling and carries very stiff penalties,” she added.

Call a military customs office to find out more or visit our website at www.eur.army.mil/opm/customs/ uscustoms.htm.

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