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Navy Region Northwest Participates in Navywide Exercise

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060923-03
Release Date: 9/23/2006 10:16:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Karen M. Golembieski and Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Angela Grube, Northwest Region Fleet Public Affairs

PUGET SOUND, Wash. (NNS) -- Commands from Navy Region Northwest joined all continental U.S. Navy installations in a security exercise, titled Solid Curtain 2006, Sept. 18–22.

Normally held once a year, the drills were designed to enhance the training and readiness of Navy security personnel in case of a terrorist attack.

“It’s been two years since we’ve done an equivalent exercise, because of Hurricane Katrina last year,” said Master Chief Master-at-Arms (SW/AW) Mark Lowe, Navy Region Northwest anti-terrorism officer. “A lot of people have transferred since then, allowing a greater impact than usual.”

The personnel, presented with a scenario, manned up posts, activated command centers and beefed up security at the station in the rehearsal for a potential real-life situation.

“The exercise was intended to evaluate our base security plan,” said Chief Master-at-Arms Richard Eckles, of Naval Station Everett. “We wanted to identify areas where we need improvement and recognize areas where things are going well.”

Generic information about the exercise warning of possible traffic delays near the station was released to local media, but did not discuss any specific measures that would be taken during the scenario or in a real-life situation.

“We wanted every thing to be as real as possible,” said Chief Warrant Officer Michael Toombs, Naval Base Kitsap anti-terrorism officer. “In one of the scenarios, a team of our Sailors identified a suspect, took her down, and rendered the area safe.”

"The simulation involved an imitation explosive device,” said Seaman Anna Perez. “Through excellent teamwork, we got the situation under control. It was my favorite part of the day.”

Perez and many other Sailors spent most of Sept. 21 searching cars for random vehicle inspections. Though wait time at the gate may have been a little longer because of these inspections, security personnel made every effort to minimize the impact of the exercise on the local community, said Naval Station Everett Executive Officer, Cmdr. Donald Leingang.

“It’s standard for us to provide advanced notification about exercises,” said Leingang. “We also try to be sensitive to various community groups who have a need to be on base.”

At the conclusion of the exercise, Lowe said he thought everything went well.

“We had a few hiccups, but we got through them," said Lowe. "We learned a lot while conducting a great training evolution.”