PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (March 23, 2010)—A security exercise known as Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield is underway at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station this week. The exercise began on Monday and will run through Friday.
Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield is an annual exercise conducted nationwide, and is designed to enhance the training and readiness of Navy security personnel to respond to threats to installations and units. Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield is not in response to any specific threat, but is a regularly-scheduled exercise, according to a NAS press release.
During a portion of the exercise, the Force Protection Condition of the base will rise to FPCON Charlie. At that time, Gates 1 and 3 will be closed for approximately 30 minutes, and all traffic entering Gate 2 will be subject to Random Anti-terrorism Measures. The measures include intensified security screening, 100 percent identification checks, and increased random vehicle checks.
After that period, Gates 1 and 3 will be reopened. However, cars passing through all three gates will be subject to Random Anti-terrorism Measure screenings for the duration of the exercise.
As part of the exercise, base officials say there may be delays in base access.