Captain’s Column
If you’ve tuned into the news over the past two weeks you no doubt have heard about the two shootings that took place on the naval bases at Pearl Harbor and Pensacola. You also likely heard that we initiated a lockdown right here at NAS Corpus Christi in response to a threat on Dec. 11. This recent lockdown is the second significant emergency response that has taken place on this air station since my arrival in July.
The first major incident since this summer took place on Oct. 7 and involved unauthorized access to the base by an armed suspect. During that incident, our security forces were diverted away from their search for the real suspect by several people on base who ignored the lockdown, triggering unnecessary law enforcement responses. These delays distracted our security force, but fortunately, we were still able to apprehend that suspect without injury. Following that incident, I wrote an article for the Wingspan asking readers to ensure that they abide by our lockdowns and avoid complicating the situation for security by leaving their shelter-in-place locations or by pressuring security personnel to open the gates before they are ready. I am grateful that Wingspan readers took the article to heart!
In our recent incident of Dec. 11, the lockdown process was much smoother, so I want to thank everyone involved for following instructions and staying in place. I also appreciate that our security force was not distracted by anyone trying to rush them to re-open the gates. This allowed the combined Army and Navy security force to focus on the suspect, leading to a very quick apprehension of the individual. This also allowed us to sweep the scene quickly and restore normal traffic at the gates more efficiently. This latest incident proves, without a doubt, that everyone on our base has a part to play in an emergency and it takes a team effort to ensure our response is as effective as possible.
Going forward, in light of the recent incidents here and across the Navy, what can you expect?
Without revealing too much about our security tactics, techniques and procedures, I will say that we will continue our intense focus on training, so you can expect more drills with their associated inconveniences and temporary gate closures.
As always we will announce those drill periods in advance so you can plan your base access accordingly. You can also expect that at times you will encounter stricter security measures than normal. Just like airport security became stricter after 9-11, we will at times employ additional measures here on base. Please be assured that the measures are deliberate and are designed, not for inconvenience, but for your safety.
We will never take a threat lightly and we will not fall short of doing all we can for the safety of our base population. I ask for your continued patience and your continued support of our brave and skilled security forces and first responders. They are amazing professionals who deserve a great deal of gratitude for all that they do for us!