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Guantanamo Bay First Responders to Conduct Active Shooter Exercise

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110222-12
2/22/2011

By Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba's first responders will be conducting an Active Shooter exercise aboard the naval station as part of "Solid Curtain – Citadel 2011", Feb. 24.

The exercise is an anti-terrorism/force protection exercise designed to train and evaluate the naval station's ability to respond to security threats. The event began Feb. 21, and will run through Feb. 25.

"This exercise [Solid Curtain - Citadel Shield] will enhance the training and readiness of our security personnel and first responders," said Rear Adm. Tim Alexander, commander, Navy Region Southeast. "It will also create a learning environment for installation personnel to exercise functional plans and operational capabilities."

According to the Homeland Security's Active Shooter Pocket Card, an active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area, typically through the use of firearms.

The Active Shooter Card can be downloaded from the Homeland Security website: http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_pocket_card.pdf.

"The importance of having active shooter exercises is due to recent and past shooting incidents within the U.S.," said Chief Master-At-Arms Eduardo Perez, NS Guantanamo Bay security department. "It is evident that acts of violence utilizing guns are on the rise. Many of these acts may or may not be acts of terrorism; however, they must all be treated and acted upon accordingly."

The naval station's first responders will be trained on how to react during an active shooter situation.

"Security law enforcement personnel are first on scene, usually in any incident or scenario," said Perez. "Due to the nature of our duties, it is imperative that we know the basics when responding to risky incidents such as an active shooter. Training is paramount, and this exercise will not just enable us to train, but to also identify vulnerabilities and weakness for progression."

In addition to training the first responders, the exercise provides base residents an opportunity to learn what they should do during an active shooter situation. The naval station's command channel roller is currently providing tips for base residents concerning active shooter attacks.

"Residents should also comply with instruction given by emergency responders," said Perez. "Residents should also monitor all channels of communications such as big voice, television roller and radio. It is important [that] residents understand how information is sent out to better prepare for actual real world incidents that may affect normal day routine."

During the exercise, residents should avoid the area known as Admin Hill, where the Fleet and Family Service Support Center, Morale, Welfare and Recreation, Housing Office, and naval station headquarters building are located.

"The exercise will only affect those within designated area," said Perez. "Reasonable notice has been given to those personnel and will not affect other residents outside the parameters."

For more news from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, visit www.navy.mil/local/guantanamo/.