By Clark Pierce, Jax Air News EditorJACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jax) security and fire department personnel conducted an anti-terrorism/force protection evolution March 22 as the installation participated in the nationwide 2012 Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield exercise.
NAS Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Bob Sanders observed the two-part exercise that involved a suspicious bag across the street from the NAS Jax Chapel Center, in addition to a simulated explosion inside the NAS Jax Bachelor Housing facility at Saratoga Avenue and Mustin Road.
"These bomb scenarios are part of the Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield exercise that tests our AT/FP response. It's a significant learning opportunity because it involves coordination of NAS Jax security and fire departments, along with NAS Jax Branch Medical Clinic, Naval Hospital Jacksonville, NCIS, the FBI and the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) detachment from Naval Station (NS) Mayport," said Sanders.
The exercise kicked off when a person called the base police department to report a "strange gym bag" in the field across from the chapel center. When Officer Donnis Hinz arrived to investigate the gym bag, he reported seeing wires inside. He requested additional personnel to secure the site, as well as notifying the EOD response team from NS Mayport.
Upon arrival at NAS Jax and after an on-site briefing, the EOD detachment approached the suspicious bag from a safe distance by utilizing two tactical robots.
Bomb squad Senior Chief Ordnance Disposal Technician Jonah Toy, leading chief petty officer said that for any given scenario, the EOD team performs reconnaissance to identify the device and determines how best to neutralize the device. Afterward, they work with the FBI to gather evidence and to dispose of any hazardous components before submitting a final EOD incident report.
Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield 2012 is an annual exercise conducted March 19-24 at all continental United States naval installations - and was not a response to any specific threat.
"This exercise enhances the training and readiness of our security personnel and first responders," said Sanders. "It also creates a learning environment for installation personnel to exercise functional plans and operational capabilities.
"It's important to learn how to adapt to diverse and unexpected situations. The more opportunities we have to train, the more proficient we'll become in dealing with AT/FP events."
Training is an important element of the readiness area of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative which consolidates a set of objectives and policies, new and existing, to maximize Sailor and Marine personal readiness, build resiliency and hone the most combat-effective force in the history of the Department
Training is an important element of the readiness area of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative which consolidates a set of objectives and policies, new and existing, to maximize Sailor and Marine personal readiness, build resiliency and hone the most combat-effective force in the history of the Department.
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