Command History

In August 1958, a Communications (COMM) Center was established as part of Naval Air Facility (NAF) Sigonella. The COMM Center was housed in the NAF Brig, which is now the present Security Building adjacent to the Naval Air Station I (NAS I ) gate. As the Air Station grew so did its need for communications. Various changes of location occurred over the next few years with an increase in communications capability accompanying each move.

On 1 July 1972, Naval Air Facility Sigonella transferred all communications, electronic assets and responsibility for Navy Sicily communications to NAVCOMMSTA Italy. On that date, NAVCOMMDET Sigonella was formed. In April 1976, when NAVCOMMSTA Italy was redesignated as NAVCAMS MED, Naples, NAVCOMMDET Sigonella was renamed NAVCAMS MED DET Sigonella. Nearly 30 years after its first debut in the Mediterranean, on 1 October 1987, NAVCAMS MED DET Sigonella was disestablished and NAVCOMMSTA Sicily was established as its own command.

In October 1991, Naval Radio Transmitter Facility (NRTF) Niscemi was established on a large plateau in the south-central part of Sicily. 41 HF transmitters and one 827 foot LF transmitter comprise the bulk of operations supporting Navy, Joint and Allied forces in the Mediterranean, Southwest Asia, Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean areas.

In that same month, NAVCOMMSTA Sicily was redesignated U.S. Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station (NAVCOMTELSTA) Sicily. This name change reflected the many technological advances that had taken place during recent years.

Today NAVCOMTELSTA Sicily is among the most capable military communications stations, not only in the Mediterranean, but throughout the world. It is the recipient of multiple Communications and Information Technology Excellence (CITE) awards, Golden Anchor and Silver Anchor retention awards and Defense Information Systems Agency Outstanding Facility awards. 

SOURCE: U.S. Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station (NAVCOMTELSTA)

Niscemi US Navy Communications Outpost
By Mike_Coobs

Here's an interesting US Naval facility that not many know about. I worked there back in 2000. It's a communication station used to communicate wth all the ships in the Mediterranean and surrounding areas. If you look just north of the main facility, following the light-colored road, you'll see the very tall tower used for this. Looking around the outskirts of the facility, you'll notice circles on the ground. Those are actually communication antennas as well.

Just to the south of the facility, where it looks very wooded: That is the largest and one of the last cork tree forests left in the world! (As far as I'm told, anyway.) If you have anymore info about this, please let me know!

US Navy Communications Outpost - Niscemi, Sicily

NASSIG Mission Statement

U.S. Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily, is strategically located in the middle of the Mediterranean, and is the primary logistical support element for U.S. SIXTH Fleet operations. With on-going political changes in the Mediterranean and Near East regions, Sigonella's ability to meet emergent mission taskings greatly contributes to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe's vision to promote regional stability. Its strategic location and "can do" reputation have earned Sigonella much respect and the nickname, "Hub of the Med". 

SOURCE: U.S. Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily

Summary:
Airport type:  Naval Air Station
Operator:  United States Navy/Italian Air Force
Location:  Sicily, Italy
Built:  June 15, 1959
In use:  Active
Commander:  Captain Thomas J. Quinn
Elevation: AMSL  79 ft / 24 m
Coordinates: +37° 24' 6.00", +14° 55' 20.00"
Runways:
Direction  Length  ft m Surface
10R/28L  8,077  2,462  Asphalt
10L/28R  8,012  2,442  Asphalt

Naval Air Station Sigonella (IATA: NSY, ICAO: LICZ), the "The Hub of the Med", is a U.S. Navy installation at NATO Base Sigonella, an Italian Air Force base in Sicily, Italy. Although a tenant of the Italian Air Force, NAS Sigonella acts as landlord to more than 40 other U.S. commands and activities. It is located 16 km (10 miles) west of the city of Catania and 24 km (15 miles) south of Mount Etna. Because of its location near the center of the Mediterranean Sea, NASSIG is well-placed to support operations by the U.S. 6th Fleet, other U.S. military units, and U.S. allies and coalition partners. The base comprises two sections: NAS I was the site of the original U.S. base but is now a support facility and NAS II which includes the runways, operations and most tenant commands. NAS I also contains the Navy Exchange and Commissary, the school, and some homes, mainly for commanders of the squadrons. NAS I also is host to other facilities, mainly for entertainment. NAS II is now only used as a service base. In addition, there are two base housing sites. The original housing development, Mineo is located approximately 30-35 minutes from NAS II and 40-45 minutes from NAS I. The newest housing area is named Marinai, located 2 minutes from NAS II and approximately 10-15 minutes form NAS I. Marinai flooded in December 2005 displacing many families temporarily.

Among the aircraft that fly from this island base are U.S. Air Force airlifters, tankers and U.S. Navy P-3 Orions. It is one of the most frequently used stops for U.S. airlifters bound from the continental United States to Southwest Asia and the Indian Ocean.

NAS Sigonella has the best claim to be hub of U.S. naval air operations in the Med. The base command is landlord to more than 40 other U.S. units. Among the largest are a rotating P-3 patrol squadron; a Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station; and a U.S. Naval Hospital. It is home to more than 4,000 troops, civilian personnel, and family members.

SOURCE: Wikipedia Naval Air Station Sigonella

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Left to Right: Gorgona class coastal logistics vessel; Basento Class Coastal Water Tanker; Depoli Class Coastal Tanker; Simeto Class Coastal Water Tanker; P491 Comandante Borsini Comandante class offshore patrol vessel; Minerva class large corvette #2 - By DelPiero and earthgoogler

Left to Right: Simeto Class Coastal Water Tanker;Minerva class large corvette (#3-#5);P490 Comandante Cigala Fulgosi OR P493 Comandante Foscari; P492 Comandante Bettica;Minerva class large corvette #6; P409 Sirio, Sirio class offshore patrol vessel; P410 Orione, Sirio class offshore patrol vessel; Cassiopea class offshore patrol vessel (#1-#3)
- By DelPiero and earthgoogler

Henry J. Kaiser Class Fleet Oiler; The ship is one of the following:
T-AO-189 USNS John Lenthall
T-AO-198 USNS Big Horn
T-AO-195 USNS Leroy Grumman
T-AO-201 USNS Patuxent
T-AO-196 USNS Kanawha
T-AO-203 USNS Laramie
By earthgoogler

The Minerva class large corvettes pictured in this harbor are one of the following: 
F551 Minerva; F552 Urania; F553 Danaide; F554 Sfinge; F555 Driade; F556 Chimera; F557 Fenice; F558 Sibilla
By DelPiero

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