NORFOLK, Va. - From March 19-24, 2012, U.S. Naval installations across the U.S. tested their ability to rapidly establish a heightened state of security and retain full operational capabilities during Exercise Solid Curtain / Citadel Shield.
In accordance with this annual U.S. Fleet Forces Command-led exercise, military organizations located at Norfolk Naval Station, Va., including the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, executed physical security measures to meet the exercise’s training requirements. Concurrently, the JECC applied additional continuity of operations training objectives to test the command’s ability to rapidly deploy forces during an increase in emergency management force protection postures.
Exercise Solid Curtain / Citadel Shield consisted of a series of drills designed to implement command-level tactical decision-making during a heightened level of force protection conditions. As part of the exercise, Norfolk Naval Station escalated their security measures to FPCON Charlie, which is typically put in place if intelligence indicates a potential terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities, is likely. As Norfolk Naval Station executed emergency notification procedures to inform resident tenants of various exercise scenarios, the JECC implemented increases in corresponding physical security measures.
On March 22-23, 2012, the JECC took the exercise one step further by executing specific JECC deployment tasks despite restricted access to the base and the fact that only pre-designated mission essential personnel were present for duties. Due to the JECC’s high operational tempo, it is essential that the command can readily deploy its capabilities worldwide with little to no warning, even in circumstances when the JECC is postured to respond to immediate threat situations.
The JECC J33 Current Operations Officer, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Robert Bertrand, coordinated the internal JECC drill and described how the JECC leveraged the base-wide event to meet its own training objectives.
“While following the Naval Station Norfolk training and readiness requirements, the JECC’s internal exercise tested the JECC’s collective tasks to deploy our service members during the replicated force protection condition,” said Bertrand. “We identified critical deployment tasks ranging from mustering the JECC deployment subject matter experts, recalling a potential JECC team of deployers and executing the necessary procedures to effectively deploy the team downrange.”
During Exercise Solid Curtain / Citadel Shield, the JECC activated a Deployment Working Group, consisting of JECC deployment subject matter experts, to conduct the specific deployment support the JECC routinely receives from external agencies including transportation, medical readiness, weapons draw and threat briefs.
The JECC J4 Logistics Director, Jerry Johnson, who oversees the necessary logistics support for JECC deployments, commented on how the JECC tested procedures to effectively arrange transportation and munitions while complying with the heightened security measures.
“We met with the Naval Munitions Command at the armory on base to walk through the weapons withdrawal process,” said Johnson. “In addition, the JECC J4 rehearsed the necessary external coordination with Naval Facilities Engineering Command to transport personnel and equipment from JECC headquarters to a likely point of embarkation — the Norfolk International Airport.”
In addition to coordinating the necessary logistics support, the JECC also exercised its ability to coordinate country threat and foreign intelligence briefs from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, country clearances and similar intelligence support with the limited workforce.
Mike Villarreal from the JECC J2 directorate commented on the combined efforts of the command to meet these requirements during the simulated scenario.
“Naturally we have to be flexible to provide the necessary intelligence support and critical deployment briefs in case JECC capabilities are requested,” said Villarreal. “This exercise further demonstrated that the JECC directorates must work in concert during crisis situations.”
Bertrand concurred with Villarreal’s comment and added, “Everyone becomes a key to the overall deployment system if they have a role in getting our deployers out the door within a directed time frame.”
During Exercise Solid Curtain / Citadel Shield, the DWG’s effective coordination and diligent efforts ensured the JECC successfully met its mission requirements and overcame the restraints of the exercise. The JECC is now better prepared to continue operations in case such an emergency response posture took place onboard Naval Station Norfolk.
| Date Taken: |
04.09.2012 |
| Date Posted: |
04.10.2012 08:14 |
| Story ID: |
86514 |
| Location: |
NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: |
105 |
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0 |
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This work, JECC completes continuity of operations as part of Exercise Solid Curtain / Citadel Shield, by Julianne Sympson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
