The aim of the event was to improve the knowledge and integration of Italian-US forces in the field of defence of the Sicilian airfield. From 11 to 18 May 2018, personnel from the Force Protection Group of the Sigonella Airport Command took part in the initiative called ’Police Week“, promoted by the US Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella.
The aim of the event was to create a light-hearted training opportunity within the Airport, designed to improve mutual understanding and foster greater cohesion among the forces operating in the fields of force protection and military police within the Sigonella base. Accordingly, in addition to Italian Air Force (AM) personnel, participants also included personnel from the various US Naval Air Station (NAS) units and the Carabinieri from the “Cacciatori di Sicilia” helicopter-borne squadron, also stationed at Sigonella.
The initiative, organised down to the smallest detail by the local “Air Police” of the US Air Force's 7th Reconnaissance Squadron, included an informative/educational event and three training trials, both individual and team-based, spread over as many days, which saw the participating forces compete in a genuine contest.
On 12 May, the information and outreach event took place, during which each participating force set up its own exhibition stand showcasing its operations. In the three training activities, the forces competed against each other on the 11th in a 5km running race, the “Defender 5k”, on the 14th in a team event consisting of a weighted march, the “Ruck March”, and on the 16th in the “battle of badges” (strength-based physical fitness competitions concluding with a traditional tug-of-war).
The event concluded with the “Final Guardmount” closing ceremony on 18 May, in the presence of the Commander of the 41st Stormo and Sigonella Airport, Colonel Francesco Frare, and the Commanders of the other units participating and located at the airport site. During the understated and informal ceremony, the Commanders arranged to meet again next year to repeat this pleasant and constructive moment of exchange and mutual acquaintance.
Relations and activities between the personnel of the Military Airport and other Sigonella bodies and those of the local NAS are characterised by a deep and resolute spirit of collaboration. Fundamental in this regard are the continuous joint exercises carried out on site, as well as the willingness of both local commands, US and Italian, to optimise relations between the two national components, which, whilst fully respecting each other's remotes of responsibility, operate at the highest levels of excellence in cooperation, both within the airport environment and in relations with the local community at various institutional levels.
The United States Navy (US Navy) Naval Air Station has occupied the western part of Sigonella Airport since 1959 and, thanks to its privileged position in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, provides logistical and operational support to the 6th Fleet and other United States military units and NATO coalition partners as part of the US Naval Forces Europe command network. Various aircraft are in transit. Among the assets present are, amongst others, the modern P-8 aircraft of CTF-67 and two US Air Force commands operating remotely piloted aircraft of the “MQ-9 Reaper” and “RQ-4 Global Hawk” types.
The Sigonella Airport Command, which reports hierarchically to the Italian Air Force Command for Support and Special Forces in Rome, is tasked with providing technical, logistical, administrative and operational support to the 41st Wing, equipped with P-72A aircraft, the 61st Flight Group, equipped with Predators, and to the units deployed and in transit at the air base of the same name, while simultaneously ensuring the services necessary for the safe and effective conduct of flight operations. As part of its community services, it provides flight line support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for military and state flights, as well as for medical air transport of organs and patients in urgent need and imminent danger of life. Furthermore, it is responsible for the provision of air traffic services within the control zone (CTR) known as Catania, which includes the skies over eastern Sicily and the adjacent seas, including the airports of Sigonella, Catania-Fontanarossa and Comiso.
