Christine Coumbe and her family leave Sigonella Aug. 3, and she'll openly admit the emotional challenges that accompany departure from a place she's grown to love. Many who know Coumbe feel likewise. How can we not esteem a neighbor who's been a voice for those desiring to be heard, and a sounding board for the many just needing someone to listen.

Coumbe will leave with her memories, our affections, and the recently-awarded title as Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) 2015 Mrs. Sybil Stockdale Shore Ombudsman of the Year - a fitting distinction that appropriately sums up what the Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella ombudsman has meant to this community.

Coumbe says she didn't sign up as an ombudsman for the recognition, but to merely give back to military families stationed here. As a liaison between NAS Sigonella and its supporting families, she felt confident she could put to good use her abilities to communicate and rigorously pursue issues or misunderstandings.

"Since becoming an ombudsman, my phone has remained constantly charged so I can respond to e-mails and Facebook messages as soon as they come in," said Coumbe. "When I tell someone I'm going to help resolve an issue, I make sure to be accessible and follow through until the problem is resolved."

In competition against CNIC's other 71 installation commands for the shore accolade, the tenacity is in large part why Coumbe was chosen one of the Navy's very best ombudsman; and all while balancing life at home as a wife and mother to Jacob, 7, Lexi, 6, and 8-month-old Eleanor. While her value is now being trumpeted throughout the fleet, her husband, Navy Counselor 1st Class Gary Coumbe, has long been a front-row fan of his wife's rare abilities.

"What makes my wife unique is her brutal honesty combined with her in-depth knowledge of the base inner workings and the Navy community as a whole," Gary said. "She knows a lot more about what's going on on the base than I do and she won't tell me anything that might breach the confidence of those whom she serves. She's talented and has integrity."

Coumbe might be brutally honest, but she's not brutal. Armed with a calm voice backed by solid logic is the type of straight-forward approach that makes one sense they are confiding in a trusted family member, not a preachy know-it-all. The trust Coumbe has earned by the community follows a simple formula: Take the time to listen whenever someone has an issue, no matter how big or small.

"I've learned the importance of completely hearing out those who approach me with a problem," said Coumbe. "They aren't asking me for my opinion; they are asking for help, and for something to be done."

The Rochester, New York, native began her ombudsman duties after her appointment by NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher Dennis in April 2014. Before serving as ombudsman - the traditional "bridge" that helps keep command and community unified - she attended an ombudsman basic training course at Sigonella's Fleet and Family Support Center tailored to help these command-community liaisons with: identifying systematic shortcomings; complaint research; aiding unofficial dispute resolution; alleviating communication gaps, injustices, inadequacies, and the all-too often overlooked but perhaps most important of all - the capacity to lend a caring ear to families and the command leaders those families support. The best ombudsmen take these lofty responsibilities head on with a neutral, unbiased approach and with zero financial compensation; hefty requirements Coumbe accomplished with excellence and poise. And that's not all.

"Christine was a principal Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) program committee member who worked directly with me, the command master chief, the public affairs officer and other base leaders with tremendous composure and insight," said Dennis. "She reviewed hundreds of comments annually and was critical in remedying and communicating decisions and responses that ultimately strengthened the fabric of our community."

Dennis also mentioned Coumbe's impressive coordination during the October 2014 visit of Martha Faller, U.S. Navy Ombudsman at Large (OAL). During the OAL's visit to address community issues and future ombudsman initiatives, Coumbe organized and helped facilitate all meetings and Faller's overall agenda.

"As base CMC I can think of no one more deserving of this award than Christine Coumbe," said base Command Master Chief Mike Kaszubowski. "She's a consummate team player who genuinely cares for all stationed here."
Despite the praise of the CO and CMC, Coumbe was apparently shocked when she learned of the Stockdale accolade. "I didn't even know I was nominated," she said.

The Office of the Chief of Naval Operations established the Mrs. Sybil Stockdale Ombudsman of the Year Award in May of 2015 to annually honor one ombudsman who typifies Stockdale's support to families. During the seven-year internment of her husband, Vice Adm. James Bond Stockdale, Stockdale tirelessly worked to aid the fraught families of other Vietnam War POWs. A Stockdale award is given to the Navy's four top ombudsmen in recognition of selfless dedication and commitment rendered to inspire family readiness at three command levels: afloat (one award for both Pacific and Atlantic), ashore, and Navy Reserve Force.

Each winner must first be nominated by their commanding officers under the criteria of maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. The awardee must also be positive role models in creating a healthy sense of community.

Even had she not been selected as CNIC's Stockdale winner, Coumbe said she would have left the island satisfied.

"The partnership I've had with people like the CO, XO, CMC, MACM Wojtal, Paul Lopez, Chris McKibbin, FFSC, Admin, and fellow ombudsmen made this experience worth it in itself and I can't thank them enough," Coumbe said. "But the things that make this job truly fulfilling are the simple things. Like helping families resolve issues before they get to the command level. Or providing them information that helps relieve stress or uncertainty. Seeing them walk away happy or at least a little less concerned, or a big 'thank you' on Facebook because I provided a simple answer, made the whole thing worthwhile."

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