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'Tent City' Goes Up at NAS Sigonella

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110621-12
6/21/2011

By Tracie Barnthouse, Naval Air Station Sigonella Public Affairs

SIGONELLA, Sicily (NNS) -- Operation Unified Protector brought an increase in personnel at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, requiring the base to erect a tent city for coalition forces, June 20.

Faced with barracks at 170 percent capacity and no sign of Operation Unified Protector ending anytime soon, Navy Region Europe and European Command (EUCOM) leadership recognized that berthing challenges at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella needed to be resolved.

At EUCOM's direction, and with Italian government approval, USAFE (3rd Air Force) deployed their Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources (BEAR) kits to NAS Sigonella along with 57 personnel. Seabees from NMCB-74, Rota, Spain and NAS Sigonella Seabees and Public Works (PW) personnel, have been working to get "tent city" up and running. The first inhabitants are set to move in within a couple of days.

The tent city has been unofficially named "Murphy's Ridge", after Medal of Honor recipient, Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy.

In late May, USAFE Capt. Anthony Behney visited Sigonella to complete an initial site survey. After viewing a few areas on adjacent base, NAS II, the location was determined and work began to grade the land and meet safety specifications.

The Air Force and Seabee teams erected 50 tents - with capabilities to house up to 550 people - in 72 hours. An additional 15 tents for showers and restrooms have been set up, as well.

"It really just came together," said Lt. Brad Roberts, from NMCB-74. "Sometimes you plan for buffer spaces and count on something to go wrong, and strangely enough, nothing went wrong and we were able to push on our fastest time schedule."

"It's a testament to the Air Force guys and the Seabees from both Rota and Sigonella," said NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer, Capt. Scott Butler.

He said that both the Commander of US SIXTH Fleet, Vice Adm. Harry Harris, and the U.S. Ambassador to Italy, David Thorne, have also seen the project first hand and have expressed their gratitude to all involved.

"It's been great teamwork between Air Force and Navy, Rota and Sigonella. Senior leadership, both militarily and politically, can't believe how fast this has come together to support housing needs of the Coalition personnel deployed to the base," Butler continued.

In accordance with the orders, the tents will be stationed at NAS Sigonella for six months. Concurrently, Seabees are working on refurbishing barracks on NAS II.

"The tents themselves are very nice, and each tent holds up to 12 people. They are fully air conditioned, lit, and provide the basic necessities. It has that new tent smell," said Butler. "It's about as nice of a tent you're ever going to get."

To ensure that tent city runs smoothly, NAS Sigonella has appointed a Commandant, Lt. Philip Romeo, an activated reservist. The Commandant will be assisted by other professionals, including a senior chief petty officer, chief petty officer, and a first class petty officer.