Exercise Solid Curtain '09 a Success

Exercise Solid Curtain '09 a Success
March 02, 2009
Navy News

NORFOLK, Va. - U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) completed Exercise Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield '09 (SC/CS-09) Feb. 27. The four-day drill was the DoD's largest stateside anti-terrorism/force protection (AT/FP) exercise and concluded with 181 simulated events conducted by Navy shore installations and activities within the continental United States.

"We met all of our exercise objectives," said Capt. Sam A. McCormick, USFF director for fleet anti-terrorism. "It was done exceptionally well, and my hat's off to all of the participants that made this exercise a success."

SC/CS-09, designed to enhance Naval Security Force personnel training and readiness in response to installation and unit threats, used multiple command and security force processes that would normally be implemented in the event of an actual emergency. The events were played out as if attacks and emergencies actually took place, giving each scenario a sense of realism and authenticity. Situations ranged from recognizing and countering base surveillance operations and gate-runners, to small boat and swimmer attacks, vehicle-born intermediate explosive devices, light aircraft recovery, and installation network attacks.

"Overall, we maintained a high state of readiness, and we practiced our preplanned responses," said McCormick. "We were taking actions, literally, within minutes after the events had happened. The improved situational awareness led to greater decision making superiority."

SC/CS-09 culminated with six events simultaneously executed between Everett Naval Station, Wash., San Diego Naval Base, Calif., Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek and Norfolk Naval Station, Va., and Kings Bay Naval Base, Ga., within a 13-minute timeframe to intensify the essence of the mock attacks.


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