PORT TOWNSEND — Naval Magazine Indian Island will participate with other Northwest Navy bases in a two-week anti-terrorism training beginning Monday.
The training, called Exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2020, will take place on weekdays through Feb. 14.
“Indian Island’s participation in this exercise should have a minimal impact on the surrounding communities,” said Julianne Stanford, a public affairs officer for Naval Magazine Indian Island.
“During the exercise, those around the base could hear announcements broadcasted from Indian Island’s outdoor mass notification speaker system and see training activities near the front gate, which could result in additional traffic in that area.”
A training scenario on Tuesday will include the use of blank ammunition, Stanford said.
There may be times when the exercise causes increased traffic around bases or delays in base access due to temporary gate closures or other security-related activities, according to a press release from Navy Region Northwest.
Residents may see or hear security and other first responder activities associated with the exercise, including potentially seeing training smoke, hearing small explosive sounds or observing increased vessel activity on the water near an installation.
The simulations are part of the training exercise and pose no safety risk, the Navy said.
Advanced coordination has taken place with local law enforcement and first responders, according to Navy Region Northwest.
The exercise is not in response to any specific threat, but it is based on realistic scenarios designed to increase readiness, according to the release.
