YORKTOWN — The dedicated team of U.S. Navy Sailors and civilians assigned to Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Yorktown concluded the first week of force protection exercises on the installation on Friday, Feb. 9.
The force protection exercises are part of the larger Exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2024 (CS-SC24). CS-SC24 is an annual two-part exercise conducted by Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC); Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) and Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic.
Exercises on board NWS Yorktown this week consisted of a variety of force protection exercises that tested interoperability between the various tenant commands and departments at the installation as part of Citadel Shield. This included simulated protests at an installation access control point and gate penetration drills, nighttime security drills, and an active shooter drill that necessitated the activation of the installation’s Emergency Operations Center among other force protection exercises.
Additionally, the installation’s waterfront security boats were utilized during exercises geared to ensure operational readiness on the waterfront.
These combined exercises on land and on the river tests information dissemination, individual response plans, security force responses and the installation’s ability to coordinate with local emergency responders and the community; allowing the installation to maintain a high level of readiness to respond to changing and dynamic threats.
NWS Yorktown’s dedicated team of U.S. Navy Sailors and civilians will commence the second part of CS-SC24, Solid Curtain a day after Superbowl Sunday and throughout Valentine’s Day week. Solid Curtain is the command post exercise led by U.S. Fleet Forces Command; and includes a secondary week of exercises geared towards ensuring readiness and continuity of operations in response to a prolonged threat. This two-part approach was designed to enhance the readiness of Navy security forces and ensures seamless interoperability among the various commands onboard the installation, other services and agency partners in order to protect life, equipment and facilities.
“The annual exercise is designed to enhance the readiness of our Navy security forces and ensure seamless interoperability among the commands, other services and our community partners,” said Rear Adm. Wesley McCall, commander of the Navy’s Mid-Atlantic Region. “We are able to test our ability to prepare for, deter, and respond to potential threats.”
Lastly, measures have been taken to minimize disruptions within local communities and to normal base operations, but there may be times when the exercise causes increased traffic around bases or delays in base access. This may be especially prudent during morning and afternoon commuting hours. Area residents may also see or hear security activities associated with the exercise. Advanced coordination has taken place with local law enforcement and first responders.
“There will be an increase in activity on and around the installations across the region for the next two weeks,” said McCall. “We are striving to train like we fight. Adding a level of realism enables us to test ourselves and seek improvements in the best possible way.”
For information about potential impacts due to the exercise, follow NWS Yorktown’s social media platforms on Facebook and Instagram. Additionally, readers can contact the installation public affairs officer at 757-752-1304-mobile, 757-887-4939-desk or Max.Q.Lonzanida.Civ@us.navy.mil.
