NAS Sigonella Tests Emergency Response with Exercise Reliant Star

News: NAS Sigonella Tests Emergency Response with Exercise Reliant Star

Navy Public Affairs Support Element East

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Seaman Joshua Brisbin and Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert Griffiths from Naval Air Station Sigonella's Emergency Medical Response team load a simulated victim of a building collapse, as part of Exercise Reliant Star. Today is the first day of the Exercise Reliant Star, an exercise taking place on all Commander Navy Europe installations. The purpose of the operation is to test each base's emergency response teams. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Gary A. Prill)

By Seaman Whitfield M. Palmer

NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Sicily – Navy Region Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia began Exercise Reliant Star here, June 10.

"The purpose of the exercise is to integrate emergency services and to teach them to work as a unit in response to emergency situations," said Rich Zbikowski, a Commander Navy Installations Command training observer for the exercise.

The exercise involves an earthquake scenario with a parking garage collapse, a bridge collapse and sinkholes both on and off base. Commands from around the base are participating including U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella, NAS Sigonella Security, and NAS Sigonella Fire and Emergency Services.

"The training is going smoothly," said Chief Petty Officer Jeremy Elmore, a training team leader for the exercise. "There is always room for improvement."

The exercise will span three days and is also being conducted at Naval Station Rota Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, and Naval Support Activities Na

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