Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe Visits NAS Sigonella
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS080826-02
Release Date: 8/26/2008 3:11:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jonathan P. Idle, Naval Air Station Sigonella Public Affairs
SIGONELLA, Sicily (NNS) -- The commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Commander Allied Joint Force Command Naples, addressed Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Sailors during an "all hands" call during a visit to the operational side of Sigonella Aug. 25.
Before Adm. Mark P. Fitzgerald spoke, he personally acknowledged three Sailors who recently returned from individual augmentee deployments as well as three Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Sailors of EOD Mobile Unit 8 who recently received the Bronze Star for their service in Iraq.
"It's important for me to visit all the facilities within my area of responsibility to see firsthand how things are actually being operated on the ground," Fitzgerald said. "With each visit, I learn a lot, and I get a good sense of the issues concerning our Sailors and our families."
He addressed topics such as Sigonella's continuing importance in supporting humanitarian assistance in the Democratic Republic of Georgia and continuing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"NAS Sigonella is a vibrant part of the naval community here in Europe," Fitzgerald said. "I appreciate all their hard work, and I'm very impressed with the way they've responded to every mission."
After his speech, Fitzgerald fielded questions ranging from individual augmentee deployments in the future to the future relationship between U.S. naval forces and Italy.
Afterward, Fitzgerald sat ate lunch with Sigonella Sailors at Ristorante Bella Etna, the galley on the operational side to visit and gauge their morale.
He also toured U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella and the Department of Defense Dependent Schools.
Naval Air Station Sigonella provides logistical support for 6th Fleet and NATO forces in the Mediterranean area.
For more news from Naval Air Station Sigonella, visit www.navy.mil/local/nassig/.
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