THE
SIGNATURE SIGONELLA, SICILY
VOL. 29 NO. 30
AUGUST 3, 2012
cnic.navy.mil/sigonella
NAS Sigonella conducts airfield renovations
Construction barricades block Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella’s runway during the last stage of renovation July 26, before reopening on July 29. NAS Sigonella’s renovation project began in February of 2010 with a discussion phase of what was needed to improve the standards and safety of the airfield. (U.S. Navy Photo by MC3 Brian Glunt/Released)
BY MC3 BRIAN GLUNT NPASE - East Detachment Europe
Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella’s Operations Department and Public Works Department teamed up with the Italian Air Force Public Works Department to conduct renovations and maintenance to the base’s airfield. The renovation project began in February of 2010 with a discussion phase of what was needed to improve the standards and safety of the flight line. “The runway maintenance upkeep is very necessary. If it isn’t upgraded or improved upon, it degrades the overall usage or makes it completely unusable,” said Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Scott Guidry, NAS Sigonella flight line manager. “This impacts the Navy as a whole on a lot of levels. Without these renovations, aircraft wouldn’t be able to refuel or conduct any missions through here.” The flight line project consists of repairing the take-off and
landing strip, runway painting, updating the runway and ramp lighting, concrete repairs and installing new lighted signs along with other numerous projects. “Sigonella has been around for quite a while now,” said Lt. Cmdr. Tor Berg, NAS Sigonella assistant operations officer. “The runway and taxi ways were in need of some repairs in order to continue to support operations.” During Operation Odyssey Dawn and Operation Unified Protector in 2011, the increased traffic was the one of the reasons for wear and tear to the runway facilities. “From a safety and operations standpoint, this is absolutely necessary,” said Berg. “It will definitely have a huge safety impact on pilots being able to identify the runway to maneuvering around the airfield.” With the help of their Italian counterparts and contractors,
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the Sigonella Operations and Public Works Department were able to repair and increase the standards to meet the International Civil Air Organization’s regulations. “We have been working very closely with the Italian Air Force and the Italian contractors,” said Guidry. “It’s been going pretty well. The language barrier has been a little bit of a challenge, but it’s been a great experience to work with them.” The target date for the completion of all the renovations is anticipated near the end of October 2012. “If we had not done the runway repairs, at some point the condition of the runway would fall below the minimum standards that are set for the logistics aircraft to operate,” added Berg. “Addressing all these repairs allows us to stay the Hub of the Mediterranean.”
OF THE WEEK
“Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have.” - Ronald Reagan
Festivals around Sicily
MWD training with local Italian law enforcement
Texting contest for adults
Several fun festivals are happening throughout August.
Read about the joint task force training.
A chance to win great prizes!
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Scan for direct links to NAS Sigonella