With the increase in homegrown terrorism, it is imperative that first responders are prepared. The Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield exercise is one of the military's vehicles for ensuring that its first responders are primed and ready for anything.
"This is a yearly military exercise designed to test the effectiveness of our anti-terrorism force protection (ATFP) readiness and training programs," said Julie Keegan, exercise planner for Naval District Washington (NDW).
During the week of March 19-24 emergency responders on military installations around the world will engage in Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2012, the largest force protection/anti-terrorism exercise on all naval bases and installations conducted in the continental United States. A series of mock drills are staged to resemble real-life emergencies during Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield throughout the region.
Within the Naval District Washington area, installations participating in the annual exercise will include Naval Support Facility Indian Head, Md. and Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, Va.
"This will test our emergency responders on how knowledgeable they are on ATFP procedures and how they can think on their feet," said Keegan.
According to Keegan, when Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield is in full swing, Sailors, civilian employees and contractors will notice activity that may look like a real-life emergency, and those accessing a Navy installation can expect possible delays due to increased security posture at installation access points. Along with the normal ID checks, personnel should also expect additional delays from bag checks and possible vehicle canvassing.
The public also may see an increase in security service personnel and traffic around Navy installations. While residents should remain vigilant for suspicious activity, they should not interpret the additional activity as more than a routine military exercise.
"Normally, installations operate under Force Protection Condition (FPCON) Alpha. This status applies when a general threat of terrorist activity exists," said Keegan. "Through the course of Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2012, security procedures will progress through FPCON Charlie."
FPCON Charlie is set when an incident occurs or when the probability of an attack may occur against personnel of Navy facilities.
It is also important that personnel pay attention and heed messages on the Wide Area Alert Network (WAAN) during Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield. WAAN is a mass notification system that alerts the base population of increased force protection levels and potential danger. The AtHoc software application on Navy-Marine Corp Intranet (NMCI) computers - the small purple globe in your system tray at the bottom of your computer screen - notifies NMCI users of key operational events or emergencies. Alerts are sent directly to a user's desktop (as a brightly colored pop-up graphic box with information) or as a text message on registered cell phones.
"AtHoc is a very important tool for emergencies and exercises like Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield because it provides instant notification of events and circumstances as they develop," said Keegan.
Aside from AtHoc notification, this year's exercise puts emphasis on the importance of identifying mission essential personnel (MEP). Prior to Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2012, all installations within NDW and their tenant activities are to identify respective critical missions and MEP to control base access without causing undue adverse mission impact.
"When a base operates during an extended period of heightened FPCON, identification of mission essential personnel is imperative," said Keegan. "Mission Essential Personnel will reduce the risk of casualties by eliminating non-essential personnel during an incident."
To receive emergency notifications and information on changing base operational status on your home or work phone, work or personal email, or text, please register by visiting the WAAN website at www.cnic.navy.mil/ NDW/About/WAAN.
In the coming weeks, Naval Support Activity South Potomac (NSASP) will provide information and updates concerning exercise Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2012 in the South Potomac Pilot newspaper.
Exercise notifications will also be provided on NSASP's website at http://www.cnic.navy.mil/SPotomac and Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/NSASouthPotomac, as well as through all hands email bulletins as necessary.
Gary Wagner, NSASP public affairs officer, contributed to this report.
