Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus visited Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella and held an all-hands call with Sailors at the NAS II hangar, Nov. 28.

Following his remarks, Mabus fielded questions from the audience. At the top of many Sailors' minds was the recent announcement of the Navy Occupational Specialty Rating Modernization Plan, and how the new plan would affect manning.

While overall manning will remain unchanged, Mabus suggested the potential for a very minimal decrease in some rates as a result of Ready, Relevant Learning (RRL). The RRL initiative, put forth by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson, aims to modernize training delivery methods, transitioning them, as appropriate, from traditional brick-and-mortar school houses to mobile, multimedia, multi-platform delivery solutions which leverage science and technology to accelerate the dissemination of critical warfighting knowledge to Sailors.

The next question from the audience concerned the impact of the incoming president on the Navy and Marine Corps, to which Mabus replied, "This [current] administration is growing the Navy. This administration has substantially strengthened the Navy and its presence around the world. I can't imagine that changing, no matter who the president is, because it gives our leaders options in times of crisis."

The final question asked Mabus to comment on the recent increase in Russian activity in the European region, noting unsafe intercepts by Russian fighter jets of U.S. aircraft.

"We are being engaged at virtually every level," he said. "What we have to do, whether at air or at sea is first, be perpetual; and second, be ready to respond. We are seeing Russian naval activity that we haven't seen since the Cold War, but it won't keep us from doing our job."

In closing, Mabus conveyed the gratitude of the nation and thanked the Sailors for their commitment and dedication to the mission.

"Sigonella, thank you for what you do every day," he said. "Thank you for your willingness to wear the uniform, and thank you for being as good as you are. We have incredibly high expectations of what we expect from you, and you never disappoint. America is incredibly fortunate to have you standing the watch."

Naval Air Station Sigonella, "The Hub of the Med," is a U.S. Navy installation and an Italian air force base in Sicily, Italy. Just as a ship performs lines of operation which provide a capability, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA) bases perform the same eight lines of operation to provide capability to the fleet, joint, and allied forces. These eight lines of operation are air operations, port operations, safety, security, housing, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR), Fleet and Fleet and Family Services, and what is called the core -- the fuels, water, and power which keep the bases running. Through our lines of operation, our installations are force multipliers which maximize combat capability of operational units.

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For more news from Naval Air Station Sigonella, visit http://www.navy.mil/.