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Exercise Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2012 will be conducted on naval bases and installations throughout the continental United States on March 19-24, 2012. Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2012 is not in response to any specific threat but is a regularly-scheduled exercise.

Within the Naval District Washington area, installations participating in the annual exercise will include Naval Support Facility Indian Head, Md., and Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, Va.

This annual exercise was developed to enhance the training and readiness of Navy security personnel to respond to threats to installations and units. Various scenarios have been devised to test base security response to a number of simulated incidents.

Measures have been taken to avoid disruptions to normal base and station operations, but there may be times when the exercise causes increased traffic around bases or delays in base access.  Area residents may also see increased security activity associated with the exercise. On Friday, March 23, base personnel that are not mission-essential have been advised specifically to utilize alternate work sites and not come on base if possible.  All quality of life facilities will be closed on this date.

For more information about Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2012, contact the Public Affairs Office for Naval Support Activity South Potomac toll free at (866) 359-5540 or (540) 653-8153.