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Naval Base Ventura County Participates in Joint Port Security Exercise

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS091123-11
Release Date: 11/23/2009 2:41:00 PM

By Teri Reid, Naval Base Ventura County Public Affairs

POINT MUGU, Calif. (NNS) -- Naval Base Ventura County joined more than two dozen local and federal agencies on Nov. 19 in a joint full-scale exercise involving maritime security.

Exercise "Coastal Trident" was a collaborative and comprehensive exercise with the Oxnard Harbor District (OHD), a commercial port adjacent to the Navy's port. NBVC Port Hueneme owns and operates the only deep-water naval port between San Diego and Washington State.

The main scenario of the drill involved the unauthorized entry into the shared harbor by a vessel of unknown origin and cargo. The 235 foot vessel, with a simulated fire on board, docked at Wharf two at OHD. The exercise tested emergency response plans and procedures as the agencies reacted to various scenarios, including hazmat conditions, explosives, search and rescue and possible terrorist threats.

"Our role was to train in how to coordinate between the two organizations (command and the harbor district)," said Cmdr. Charles Huff, NBVC operations officer. "Any impact on their portion of the harbor impacts our installation."

The exercise afforded the opportunity for multiple levels of training within the command, as the players included the base fire department, force protection, environmental, port services, public affairs and safety. Approximately 50 civilian and military base personnel participated in the drill. A multi-incident command post was established at the port and NBVC stood up its Emergency Operations Center at Point Mugu for the exercise.

Huff said NBVC was able to meet the exercise goals as the departments worked together in responding to the different scenarios.

"The time and energy we put into planning now is what will enable us to succeed [in any future emergency situations]," Huff said.

The exercise was sponsored by the OHD and the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Asymmetric Warfare.

For more news from Naval Base Ventura County, visit www.navy.mil/local/nbvc/.