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Nation's Largest Force Protection Exercise Begins

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100321-04
Release Date: 3/21/2010 11:17:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eddie Harrison, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) and Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) will begin their annual weeklong security training exercise Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2010 (SC/CS-10) Mar. 22.

The training will be conducted on naval bases and installations throughout the continental United States, Hawaii and Guam.

The nationwide exercise is the largest anti-terrorism/force protection (AT/FP) exercise in the country. It is designed to enhance the training and readiness of naval security force personnel to respond to threats to installations and units, leveraging all processes security forces would implement in the event of an actual emergency.

"This training is vital to maintaining security for our forces," said Capt. Eric Patten, former director of operations for Navy Region Southwest. "It lays the foundation for the way we will respond in real life, without a good foundation it couldn't be done."

USFF and CNIC are working closely to plan and execute the combined exercise. USFF controls Exercise Solid Curtain, while CNIC controls Exercise Citadel Shield.

The exercise will consist of more than 250 individual training events across the country, each designed to test different regional AT/FP operations.

Scenarios range from recognizing and countering base surveillance operations, to high-tempo and active simulated emergencies such as small-boat attacks on waterfront bases and cyber attacks on installations.

"This training is one of the few opportunities we get to interact in a controlled environment," said Patten. "Training is all about learning and getting better. Training this way helps us, to respond quicker, resource correctly and most importantly defend better."

During the exercise, training with new communication tools will keep base personnel informed about exercise security situations and potential threats. New technology, such as computer network alert systems, will be used to distribute messages during SC/CS-10, allowing the Navy to stay at the forefront of AT/FP capabilities.

This annual exercise is designed to enhance training and ensure a high level readiness of Navy security personnel to respond to threats. SC/CS-10 is not in response to any specific threat, but is a regularly scheduled exercise.

Measures have been taken to minimize disruptions to normal base and station operations, but there may be times when the exercise causes increased traffic around bases or delays in base access. Area residents may also see increased security activity associated with the exercise. All installations will inform the local community of any potential significant effects to the area and will endeavor to minimize impacts.