Parliamentary question

US helicopters practice over the Madonie Mountains in Sicily, 22 mayors protest

Two US Navy aircraft practice at the Madonie Park

by Letizia Giostra

16 March 2026

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

Mayors in revolt
Centre Left invokes Meloni
Sigonella becomes a case

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

A photo posted on Instagram on the official page of the US Navy has ended up at the centre of controversy. In the shots shared on Meta's social platform, the protagonists are two helicopters of the US naval force flying over mountains that are very familiar to web surfers. Dispelling any doubts as to whether the mountain ranges immortalised could be Sicilian ones was the same caption correlated to the post.

'Sea Hawks over Sicily' are the words with which the caption opens, where the emoticon of a volcano also appears, immediately reminding us of Etna. "This is our land, you are not welcome", "We are not your playground" and "Go away" are just some of the reactions that can be read, comments written strictly in English to get the message across clearly to the addressee, namely the US Navy.

But they are not the only Sicilians in revolt, as Giuseppe Ferrarello, president of the park itself, is also concerned about the presence of the warplanes in the Madonie, joined by 22 municipal administrators in the area. In addition, the Honourable Valentina Chinnici has announced through her social profiles that she has submitted a parliamentary question to shed light on the case.

Mayors in revolt

The message is clear, as the incriminated US Navy post reads: "MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28 conduct a training flight over Mount Etna near Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily. HSC-28," he continues, "is currently deployed in the operational area of the US 6th Fleet, supporting the warfighting effectiveness, lethality and readiness of US Naval Forces Europe-Africa, while defending US, Allied and partner interests in the region.

And that is precisely why the local mayors have put their request for clarification on paper in a letter addressed to Governor Renato Schifani and Prefect Massimo Mariani, because to them something does not add up.

First of all, they ask whether the necessary authorisations have been granted for the military exercises and, if they have, whether the environmental impact assessment procedures have been carried out. Finally, just to protect residents, they ask whether it is possible to consider ending the training operations considering what is happening in the Middle East.

But that's not all, because some photos show aircraft landing at Piano Catarineci, an area of particular naturalistic value located in the heart of the Geopark, protected by Unesco and part of the Natura 2000 network. This is no mean feat, as it provides for special attention to the conservation of the habitats and species of wild fauna and flora present.

Centre Left invokes Meloni

The issue also reached Rome. On the matter, the regional deputy of the PD, Valentina Chinnici, has announced a parliamentary question. She herself writes on her social pages. 'We will not allow Sicily to become a missile launch base,' she retorts in her post.

But she is not the only one, because the leader of the Group of the Alliance of the Greens and the Left, Peppe De Cristofaro, president of the Mixed Group in Palazzo Madama, is now also interested in this story.

Sicily, which houses the US Navy's Naval Air Station Sigonella at the Italian Air Force base, would risk becoming an aircraft carrier ready for use in the Iran conflict for the senator.

"How is it possible for American warplanes to fly and land on Italia territory without the OK of the Meloni government? - is the question raised by De Cristofaro - Italy cannot be an accomplice in a war that violates international legality and cannot allow military activities linked to the aggression of the US and Israeli governments".

Sigonella becomes a case

The last knot to untie on this episode concerns the air base called into question by both the opposition and the letter sent by the 22 Sicilian mayors, namely the military airport of Sigonella. The island once again plays a leading role in the geopolitics of the Mediterranean, with numerous aircraft belonging to the US military fleet landing and taking off several times a day.

Nor has the Sicilian base's reply been long in coming, speaking of simple training flights that are carried out routinely, without violating any Italian regulations. The exercise, according to the US Navy press office at Nas Sigonella, is also carried out to organise searches and rescues, as well as to provide logistical support to the US Sixth Fleet.