Pax River Prepares to Participate in Navy Force Protection Exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Patrick Gordon | NAS PATUXENT RIVER, Maryland (Feb. 8, 2023) - Master-at Arms 3rd Class Colton Farmer and Military Working Dog (MWD) Georgina perform a perimeter sweep during a suspicious package drill during the Citadel Shield/Solid Curtain (CS/SC) Exercise 2023. MWDs and their handlers are an integral part of Naval Security Forces, providing unique capabilities to defend bases by detecting dangerous materials. Like other highly specialized pieces of equipment, MWDs supplement and enhance the capabilities of military security forces. When integrated into existing military security forces, MWD teams enable those forces to perform their mission more effectively and, in many cases, with significant savings in manpower, time and money. Conducted by U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, and Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), CS/SC uses realistic drills and scenarios to enhance the readiness of Navy security forces and ensure seamless interoperability among the commands, other services, and agency partners.  

PATUXENT RIVER, MD, UNITED STATES

01.29.2024

Story by Chief Petty Officer Patrick Gordon 

Naval Air Station Patuxent River

PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION, MD – Naval Air Station Patuxent River will participate in the annual force protection exercise, Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain Feb. 5-16, 2024.

Exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2024 (CSSC24) is conducted by Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) and Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) on all Navy installations in the continental U.S.

“Pax River joins Navy bases across the region and country in training to protect our personnel and mission from possible attack,” said NAS Patuxent River Commanding Officer Capt. Douglas Burfield.

Citadel Shield, which occurs the first week, is the field training exercise portion led by CNIC. Solid Curtain occurs the following week and is the command post exercise led by USFFC. This two-part approach was designed to enhance the readiness of Navy security forces and ensure seamless interoperability among the commands, other services and agency partners in order to protect life, equipment and facilities.

CSSC24 is a regularly scheduled exercise and is not being held in response to any specific threat.

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. Brief gate closures are expected at NAS Patuxent River during the exercise. 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.

Base residents and personnel are reminded to avoid posted exercise areas.

For information about potential impacts due to the exercise, follow NAS Pax River online at www.facebook.com/NASPaxRiver, www.twitter.com/NASPaxRiverPAO, and www.instagram.com/nas_patuxent_river/ .

• Date Taken: 01.29.2024
• Date Posted: 01.29.2024 15:47
• Story ID: 462669
• Location: PATUXENT RIVER, MD, US