Naval Air Station Sigonella, a critical US military installation in Sicily, activated emergency protocols Wednesday after reports of a suspected car bomb near its gates. Security forces swiftly evacuated the area and locked down the facility for over five hours, though investigations revealed no credible threat. “We are grateful to our personnel for their swift action,” stated Lt. Andrea Perez, a base spokesperson.
Italian bomb squads joined US Navy teams to inspect a suspicious package, later deemed harmless. An anonymous Italian defense official described the incident as a
“false alarm that triggered all due procedures.”No injuries were reported during the lockdown.
Strategically located near Catania, NAS Sigonella serves as a hub for NATO operations across three continents. The base hosts advanced assets, including:
- P-8 Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft
- MQ-4C Triton reconnaissance drones
- US Space Force missile-tracking units
This marks the third security alert at Mediterranean bases in 2024, reflecting heightened vigilance amid global tensions. Analysts note Sigonella’s growing importance for monitoring Russian naval activity and Middle Eastern conflicts.