Naval Air Station Sigonella

• Strategic Location: Naval Air Station Sigonella is situated on the Italian island of Sicily, making it a vital hub for U.S. and NATO operations in the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Middle East. • Established in 1959: The base was officially opened in June 1959 to replace facilities at NAS Port Lyautey, Morocco, following the independence of Morocco. • Nickname "The Hub of the Med": Sigonella has earned the nickname "The Hub of the Med" due to its crucial logistical and operational role in the Mediterranean theater. • Dual-Use Facility: The station is a joint-use airfield shared by the U.S. Navy and the Italian Air Force, as well as NATO forces, exemplifying international cooperation. • Support for Major Operations: Sigonella has supported numerous military campaigns, including Operations Desert Storm, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom, Odyssey Dawn, and Inherent Resolve. • MQ-9 Reaper Presence: The base is home to U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles, which conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions across Africa and the Middle East. • Key Role in Crisis Response: Sigonella played a critical role during the 1986 U.S. bombing of Libya (Operation El Dorado Canyon), serving as a staging and refueling point. • NASA Space Shuttle Emergency Landing Site: The station was designated as a Transoceanic Abort Landing (TAL) site for NASA’s Space Shuttle program, able to support emergency landings. • 2011 Libyan Civil War Operations: During the NATO intervention in Libya, Sigonella became a primary base for launching air sorties, reconnaissance, and humanitarian missions. • Home to U.S. Sixth Fleet Assets: The base routinely hosts detachments and aircraft supporting the U.S. Sixth Fleet, including P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.