Photo By Sgt. Shawn Valosin | Naval K-9 handlers parade through the Marinai government housing aboard Naval Air...... read more read more
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SIGONELLA, Italy - Marines and Sailors with the second iteration of SP-MAGTF Africa 14 participated in the 34th annual National Night Out event at Marinai Base Housing, Aug. 5, 2014.
“National Night Out was designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit, community partnerships and send a message to criminals that our neighborhoods are organized and fighting back,” said Navy Capt. Christopher J. Dennis, the commanding officer of Naval Air Station Sigonella. “It’s a visible reminder that security is earned every day by cooperation amongst citizens and those protective forces.”
The event began with a parade of emergency and military vehicles driving through the residential area. In the lead were horses and law enforcement dogs, followed by Italian law enforcement vehicles and towards the rear of a HMMWV and seven-ton truck provided by the Marines of SP-MAGTF Africa. The parade finished at the soccer fields in the back of Marinai military housing area, where static displays highlighting the capabilities of each military branch and law enforcement agency were set up for military and local community families.
The Marines provided several different weapons for display to include an Explosive Ordnance Disposal robot and protective bomb suit worn by an EOD technician.
“The [National Night Out] event helped build camaraderie between the local law enforcement and various branches of the military,” said Staff Sgt. Shaun T. Lucas, an Inwood, N.Y., native and company gunnery sergeant with SP-MAGTF Africa Headquarters Company. “We showed off some of our capabilities as far as our weapons systems, body armor, and EOD, which people were very impressed with,” said Lucas.
Camaraderie was an enduring theme throughout the event.
“I loved seeing the kids’ faces light up whenever they got to get hands on with our weapons systems,” said Cpl. Kevin Peach, a Port St. Lucie, Fla., native and rifleman with SP-MAGTF Africa who showed and explained how multiple weapons systems and body armor work to attendees. “Some of the kids said it was the first time they’ve ever even touched a weapon. They’ve seen them in video games and in movies, but [the event] allowed them to actually see them in person and feel them … it’s been my favorite part of this deployment so far.”
SP-MAGTF Africa continues to build relationships with the community while simultaneously strengthening U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa and U.S. Africa Command’s ability to assist partner nations in addressing security challenges in the region.
| Date Taken: | 08.07.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.07.2014 15:20 |
| Story ID: | 138615 |
| Location: | SIGONELLA, IT |
| Hometown: | INWOOD, NY, US |
| Hometown: | PORT ST. LUCIE, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 141 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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