As RLF continues its 90th anniversary celebration, we take a moment to highlight one of our most significant projects—the Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Recapitalization. This ambitious undertaking spanned a decade and involved designing and modernizing facilities that enhanced operational effectiveness and improved the quality of life for officers, service members, and their families stationed in Sicily.
A Strategic Mediterranean Hub
Established on June 15, 1959, NAS Sigonella has grown from a single airstrip into a crucial military installation known as the "Hub of the Med." Its strategic location in Sicily supports U.S. Navy, NATO, and allied operations across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. With more than 40 tenant commands and a military community exceeding 6,000 personnel, the base plays a vital role in global defense and logistics.
The recapitalization of NAS Sigonella in the early 2000s was part of a broader effort to modernize U.S. military facilities in Europe, responding to evolving strategic needs after the Cold War and post-9/11 global military operations.
Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella is divided into two main sites, NAS I and NAS II, each serving distinct yet complementary purposes within the base's overall mission. The distinction between the two allows for an efficient division of resources, ensuring that NAS Sigonella can fulfill its strategic mission while also supporting service members and their families.
Administrative and Support Hub (NAS I)
Located approximately seven miles from NAS II, NAS I primarily functions as the installation's administrative and support hub. This area houses facilities that improve the daily lives of service members, their families, and civilians stationed at Sigonella.
RLF played a key role in transforming NAS I into a vibrant and well-equipped support hub. The QOL I Facilities project encompassed 124,000 square feet of new infrastructure and aimed at improving daily life for personnel and their families. This effort included designing and coordinating vital community-focused structures such as administration buildings, an enlisted dining facility, and security infrastructure. These projects also earned a DOD Value Engineering Award for its Function Analysis Concept Development (FACD) study, reflecting its efficiency and innovative approach.
A major highlight of the recapitalization was the construction of the Chapel & Religious Education Building, a 16,300-square-foot sanctuary that harmonizes tradition with modernity. Expansive windows provide breathtaking views of Mount Etna, while the design incorporates local Sicilian materials, such as stucco and terra cotta, to create a serene yet sophisticated worship space. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command recognized this outstanding architectural achievement with the 2005 Merit Award for New Facility Design.
RLF designed the 96,500-square-foot Morale, Wellness, and Recreation (MWR) Complex, a $23.7 million facility that offers entertainment and fitness amenities to enhance life on the base further. The complex includes two theaters, a bowling alley, a fitness and wellness center, and a sports gear rental office, all strategically arranged around an outdoor swimming pool and a vibrant food court.
Education was also a priority in the NAS I modernization efforts. RLF provided comprehensive master planning and design for a new DoDDS Elementary and High School, resulting in a 124,500-square-foot, $26.2 million state-of-the-art learning facility. The school features upgraded science labs, media centers, and outdoor learning spaces, all designed with a Mediterranean architectural style to create an inspiring academic environment.
Operational and Aviation Center (NAS II)
NAS II, located near the original airstrip, serves as the operational and aviation center of NAS Sigonella. This area is primarily dedicated to military operations and logistical support for aircraft and naval missions. NAS II underwent significant modernization to reinforce its role as a premier aviation and operational center. The Global Hawk Maintenance & Operations Center, a 61,134-square-foot, $16.5 million facility, was a major addition to support the evolving needs of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Designed as a Global Hawk reconnaissance aircraft home base, this facility provides 24/7 mission support, secure maintenance operations, and classified storage. Its energy-efficient design achieved LEED Silver certification, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and resilience.
Another critical addition designed by RLF was the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Satellite Communications Relay Station, a 12,936-square-foot, $12.7 million high-tech facility. This station serves as a crucial communications backup for NATO and U.S. operations, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity for unmanned aerial missions. The facility integrates cutting-edge energy solutions, including tri-generation fuel cells and solar power, reducing its environmental footprint while enhancing operational efficiency.
Recognizing the need for advanced health and safety infrastructure, RLF also provided comprehensive planning studies for the base Naval Hospital in line with the recapitalization efforts and designed a 13,900-square-foot freestanding U.S. Navy Environmental Preventative Medicine Unit (NEPMU-7). Designed to support the Navy and Marine Corps, this state-of-the-art laboratory enables in-depth disease and environmental health threat analysis. With modern biosafety level (BSL) labs and specialized intervention teams, NEPMU-7 enhances the base's ability to respond to health-related emergencies across the region.
To support logistical and operational demands, RLF provided a multi-phased design of public works facilities, including a Seabees compound, parking garages, EDIS facility, vehicle shops, essential storage units, warehouses, hazardous materials management facilities, and operational buildings critical for base-wide logistics and maintenance. These structures ensure efficient supply chain management and operational readiness for ongoing and future missions.
Legacy and Impact
The NAS Sigonella recapitalization transformed the base into a multi-mission, joint-use facility, significantly enhancing its operational capabilities and personnel quality of life. By modernizing critical infrastructure and integrating cutting-edge defense technologies, the project ensured that Sigonella remains a cornerstone of U.S. and NATO military strategy in the Mediterranean.
As RLF reflects on this decade-long project, we take pride in contributing to a mission that supports global security and enriches the lives of those who serve. This effort is a testament to our commitment to excellence in design, innovation, and sustainability.