2019 In Review: NSA Naples rewinds for a look back at a year of unprecedented firsts

NAPLES, ITALY

12.23.2019

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Support Activity Naples

NAPLES, Italy- With a quick glance at current news headlines, some may leave feeling uncertain about what 2020 will hold, but NSA Naples’ year in rewind will certainly brighten spirits. From the Sailors who enable U.S. Navy assets to fly, sail or submerge to the Sailors and family members who joined forces with Italian citizens to restore a local historical theater, NSA Naples is setting the bar for those having trouble coming up with a New Year’s resolution.
Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples is already a year-deep into planning for 2020, but as 2019 comes to an end, it’s time to look back at the major events and highlights that will forever mark the base’s history.
U.S. Navy assets are deployed worldwide ensuring security and stability on the world’s oceans. In order for those assets to execute their mission, there are personnel attached to bases to take care of all of the administrative and logistical requirements. For the first time in nearly six years, Sailors attached to NSA Naples coordinated in-port flight operations with the Italian Air Force, Italian Coast Guard, officials from the city of Gaeta, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 (HSC -28), and the USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20).
In-port flight operations provide vital training for Navy pilots. Approaching a ship from the shore presents unique challenges that include offshore winds, alternate flight patterns to ensure the safety of the local population and avoidance of obstacles on the surrounding property. Due to the thorough coordination by NSA Naples personnel, the U.S. Navy now has a unique set of capabilities for future operations, one of which includes medical evacuations.
“To accomplish something like this is rare because it requires all the parties involved to come to an agreement, and then translate that agreement into permission from each government which still allows for all objectives to be met,” said Lt. Cmdr. Alex Harrell, HSC-28 detachment one officer in charge. “This is an incredible success for Italian-U.S. relations which I hope will translate into further operations we hope to accomplish.”
For NSA Naples, working with Italian counterparts does not stop at air operations. The base has a synergistic relationship with Neapolitans. Fostering and sustaining a cooperative relationship with the local population is one of the commanding officer’s top priorities. In September, NSA Naples signed a Joint Forces Base Defense Plan (JDP) with the Italian Air Force, the first-ever joint plan for base security and anti-terrorism signed between the U.S. Navy and Italy for Naples.
“Cooperative efforts like this allow us to work together in order to respond to any emergencies and keep our personnel working onboard our installations safe,” said Capt. Todd Abrahamson, NSA Naples commanding officer.
The JDP is a tangible testament to the base security cooperation onboard NSA Naples. A few months prior to the JDP plan, NSA Naples’ base security team received the highest Final Evaluation Problem (FEP) certification score out of all U.S. shore installations in the world.
“We have an important job here on base because we have to protect operational platforms and everyone who lives and works on our base,” said Lt. Cmdr. Marco Agricoli, base security officer. “I am proud to be a part of such a great team and we are fortunate that we can train with our Italian counterparts here in Naples.”
The people who work on the base share the same enthusiasm as those who protect it. NSA Naples’ Public Works team, who bears the responsibility to manage all of the facilities aboard the installation, had many notable accomplishments in 2019. In efforts to remain good stewards of the environment and of taxpayer dollars, seeded grass fields are being replaced by artificial turf that will save more than ten million gallons (enough to fill 15 Olympic-size swimming pools) a year. New traffic circles and street lights were installed that significantly reduced traffic accidents.
“We spend a lot of time ensuring our facilities are at their top performance to support the fleet, fighters and families while conserving money and environmental resources,” said Cmdr. Russ Pile, base public works officer. “In fact, this year we negotiated with local contractors to execute 21 projects that will increase quality of life for our Sailors and families living on base at no additional cost to the Navy.”
In addition to ensuring that the base has well-maintained facilities, NSA Naples Sailors took their efforts off-base many times over the course of the year and into the local community. In November, nearly 50 volunteers from various tenant commands cleaned up the Capua Amphitheater by collecting trash, trimming hedges and assisting with other beautification tasks around the ancient Italian historical site.
“There is so much history in Naples and we should do our part to keep it looking like the Italian treasure it is,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Alexander Martinez, who coordinated the event on behalf of the NSA Naples First Class Petty Officer Association.
NSA Naples is looking forward to 2020, and there are many projects in progress that will ensure NSA Naples remains one of the premier support installations in the Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central area of operations.
NSA Naples is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., allied and partner nation forces to be where they are needed when they are called upon to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia.
For more news about NSA Naples and the Sailors who serve aboard the installation, please follow us on Instagram @NSANaples, Twitter @NSA_Naples, and Facebook at facebook.com/NSANaples/.

• Date Taken: 12.23.2019
• Date Posted: 12.23.2019 06:16
• Story ID: 356911
• Location: NAPLES, IT