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Exercise Tests Submarine Base Security and Emergency Response

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090318-07
Release Date: 3/18/2009 4:55:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Peter D. Blair and Electronics Technician 3rd Class Alexander Lockman, Naval Submarine Base New London Public Affairs

GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- Naval Submarine Base (SUBASE) New London participated in Exercise Solid Curtain, Citadel Shield 2009 Feb. 23-27.

A regularly scheduled exercise developed to enhance the training and readiness of Navy security personnel and emergency management teams, Solid Curtain, Citadel Shield tested naval bases and installations throughout the continental United States.

"This annual training is an important part of maintaining and exercising our highly skilled security forces and emergency teams," said SUBASE Commanding Officer Capt. Mark S. Ginda.

The training was not tailored as a response to a specific threat but instead developed to present a comprehensive range of risks and dangers.

SUBASE exercise scenarios not only tested security force personnel and their responses but also engaged other base emergency responders as well as the base community at large.

"We wanted to establish a learning environment for all participants to exercise the plans, capabilities, and responses they would look to undertake during an actual emergency," said SUBASE Training Officer John Bozeman who developed and carried out many of the local scenarios with members of the Installation and Force Protection Training Teams.

During the various drills, SUBASE departments and tenant commands and activities were challenged to create and maintain efficient lines of communication and to report timely and accurate information regarding the simulated emergency.

"How would an office worker at a base support element respond to a bomb threat phone call? How would the Fire Department handle multiple calls for assistance at distant base locations? What actions would base personnel take when the alarm horns and sirens sounded over the base public address system? We looked to test SUBASE personnel across the board," said Bozeman.

Though comprehensive, SUBASE's participation in Exercise Solid Curtain, Citadel Shield was developed to result in as little impact to the local community as possible. Town and community officials were alerted in advance, and media releases warned the local population of possible traffic issues as a result of the drill's gate closures, alarms, and response activities.

"We appreciate the great understanding of our Groton neighbors and community," said Ginda. "We hope any inconvenience was minimal because this training was certainly invaluable."

For more news from Naval Submarine Base New London, visit www.navy.mil/local/subasenlon/.