A U.S. Navy air station in Italy faced an imminent security issue and ordered a lockdown and a shelter-in-place warning on Wednesday.
Naval Air Station Sigonella, located in Sicily, Italy, was ordered to take precautionary measures because of an “ongoing situation” at the base’s entry, according to reports. The station is an integral part of naval operations overseas, housing approximately 7,000 troops and their families. Furthermore, the base is considered of great strategic importance for U.S. and NATO forces, given its location in the Mediterranean Sea.
The warning about the security measures put in place were posted on the naval base’s Facebook page.
“Due to an ongoing situation at the NAS Sigonella (NAS 2) entry control point, a lockdown has been issued,” read the warning. “All personnel onboard NAS 2 are directed to follow the instructions from Naval Security Forces and monitor AtHoc for updates. Inbound and outbound traffic at the NAS 2 base entry control points is secured. Traffic has been redirected to the East ITAF Gate. Personnel should avoid traveling on highway SP105 between Marinai Housing Complex and NAS 2.”
The situation was resolved shortly before 11:30 a.m. local time. No injuries were reported, and the lockdown and shelter-in-place were lifted. A separate message was posted on social media about the precautions being lifted, but no further details were provided.
“Today’s shelter-in-place was ordered in response to a security incident,” read a different message posted to Sigonella’s Facebook account. “The situation was cleared at 11:25 a.m., and the shelter-in-place has been lifted. Inbound and outbound traffic lanes at the NAS 2 base entry control point are open.”
“We are grateful to our Navy Security Force personnel for their quick response,” noted the message.
After Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Sigonella is the Navy’s second-largest security command globally. It is home to numerous “reconnaissance aircraft, MQ-4C Triton drone detachment, and a Space Force contingent.”
The naval air station began operations in 1959 at the height of the Cold War. Currently, Sigonella coordinates “base operating support functions for operating forces throughout the region.”
“Sigonella has grown to be the premier logistics base in the Mediterranean as it continues to be a vital component in supporting U.S. and NATO operations within the European theater,” read a description of the base’s significance from the U.S. Navy.