Annual force protection exercise enhances, tests Navy readiness

The Navy’s largest annual force protection exercise, which included a real-world response, concluded Feb. 15.

During Exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2019, all Navy installations in the continental United States used realistic training scenarios to ensure Navy security forces maintain a high level of readiness to respond to changing and dynamic threats.

In South Texas, those scenarios turned from training to reality.

At Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi, Navy security forces personnel responded to a vehicle that unlawfully entered the base Feb. 14; installation security personnel were already in an increased security posture.

During the morning arrival of personnel and employees to NAS Corpus Christi, an unauthorized vehicle entered the base via the South/Main Gate. Security forces personnel pursued the suspect throughout the installation.

The vehicle exited the North/Ocean Drive Gate, turned around and was reentering the installation when it hit the Final Denial Barrier. The vehicle caught fire. The suspect exited the vehicle and charged Security forces personnel, who opened fire on the suspect. The individual was shot and received medical treatment, but was later pronounced dead.

“I would like to thank those who live and work aboard NASCC for your patience and flexibility as we wrap up our involvement in the Citadel Shield/Solid Curtain Exercises,” stated Capt. Phil Brock, commanding officer, in a Facebook post.

“Exercises and drills can disrupt normal routines and cause inconveniences, but I can assure you every effort was made to minimize those inconveniences while maximizing training opportunities. The response to the real-world incident that occurred on board the installation is why we train,” he added.

“The rapid and decisive actions of Security and Fire personnel minimized loss of life, danger to innocent bystanders, and damage to our facilities.

“The safety and security of the tenants and dependents on base is our number one priority. The brave response that we witnessed yesterday is proof that our training is working and that our number one priority is being upheld.”

In addition to Exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain testing installations’ readiness, the annual two-week force protection and anti-terrorism exercise also ensured seamless interoperability among Navy commands, other services and agency partners.

“We train as a team with local authorities to rapidly identify and respond to existing and emerging threats to our Navy installations, units, Sailors, our civilian shipmates and families,” said Adm. Christopher Grady, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC).

USFFC co-leads the command post exercise with Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), which leads the field training exercise Citadel Shield.

The annual exercise is not in response to any specific threat.

“Our Navy installations are key enablers that directly support warfighting capabilities and readiness,” said Tim Alexander, director of operations for CNIC.

“Exercises such as Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain allow our regions, bases and tenant commands to hone our force protection skills.”