Autumn is the rainy season in Sicily, Italy and it is a common occurrence to experience heavy rainfall this time of year.

Normally, storms pass through fairly quickly. However, rounds of drenching rain and strong winds hammered Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Oct. 31 through Nov. 2. The severe weather caused flooding and only mission essential personnel were to report to work on Nov. 2.

Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Sigonella's duty personnel maintained operations while assessing risks and identifying potential hazards.

NAVSUP FLC Sigonella managed flight line fueling operations by implementing the operational risk management (ORM) process. As the water levels increased around the bulk fuel tanks and water rushed across flooding roads, they made the sound decision to refrain from driving the aircraft refueling trucks over the rushing water. This decision avoided a potential environmental disaster. Consequently, they notified NAS Sigonella Base Operations and worked together to assess and forecast conditions about prioritization of fuel use throughout the day so leadership could make decisions.

The team also wanted to sustain port operations in Augusta Bay, Sicily which is about 30 miles away from NAS Sigonella. The local roads were impassable because of debris and flooding but the team discovered and used alternative routes to deliver mail and personnel to the ship in port

Because of the sound decisions, dedication to mission and determination of the NAVSUP FLC Sigonella personnel, deployed Sailors received letters and care packages, mission essential flights launched and potential fuel mishaps were avoided.

The impact of the severe weather prompted leadership to review operational approaches at all sites. During a scheduled off-site training symposium on Nov. 19, site directors, deputy site directors, and senior enlisted leaders from all sites gathered and discussed the topic. NAVSUP FLC Sigonella Commanding Officer, Capt. Chris Parker emphasized that it is imperative to keep an operational mindset and apply ORM on a day-to-day basis.

NAVSUP FLC Sigonella, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS), provides global logistics, business and support services to fleet, shore and industrial commands of the Navy, Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and allied forces. Services include contracting, regional transportation, fuel, material management, household goods movement support, postal and consolidated mail, warehousing, global logistics and husbanding, hazardous material management, and integrated logistics support.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of more than 6,500 military and civilian logistics professionals operating from 105 locations worldwide providing an extensive array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, joint operational units, and allied forces across all warfare enterprises.

For more news from Naval Supply Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/.