SIGONELLA, Sicily –
Adm. James G. Foggo III, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples, visited Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella prior to embarking aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the Mediterranean Sea with a delegation of senior leaders from Bulgaria and North Macedonia, Dec. 6, 2019.
Foggo used the opportunity to hold an all hands call with Sailors, Marines, and civilians from NAS Sigonella and tenant commands. His remarks focused on three key areas: a job well-done in 2019, recent leadership changes throughout the Navy and Department of Defense, and the Navy mission.
“We’re facing some challenges in 2020, but our leaders are behind us,” said Foggo. “They believe in what you’re doing.”
Foggo also stressed the importance of working well with each other and in partnership with our allies to win the fight against mutual competitors.
“We—you—are on the front lines of the great [power] competition,” said Foggo of the role of NAS Sigonella in supporting the mission. “To be successful, we need to work together.”
Foggo also reminded everyone that as Americans, our first warfighting tool is actually diplomacy.
“We are an extended arm of diplomacy in the U.S. Navy,” said Foggo. “We don’t want to fight; we’d prefer to deter. But we will fight to win; if our adversaries understand that, then we will win without fighting.”
NAS Sigonella is an operational ashore base whose strategic location enables U.S, allied, and partner nation forces to deploy and respond as required to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa and Central Command.