National Military Security Drills Underway in Seal Beach

Personnel at the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station have begun their part in the largest U.S. Navy security exercise of the year today, an activity that will continue through Saturday.

The exercise, dubbed ``Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield 2012,'' will be conducted on naval bases and installations throughout the continental United States, said Gregg T. Smith of the Seal Beach facility.Measures will be taken to avoid disruptions to normal operations, but there may be times when the exercise causes increased traffic around the weapons station, delays in base access, and gate closures, Smith said.

Residents may also see increased security activity associated with the exercise, and the station's ``Giant Voice'' mass notification loudspeaker system may be used. Additionally, Anaheim Bay may be partially or completely closed to civilian boat traffic during portions of the exercise, Smith said.

``The event is not in response to any specific threat but is a regularly scheduled exercise, developed to enhance the training and readiness of Navy security personnel to respond to threats to installations and units,'' Smith said.

For more information about Exercise Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield 2012, contact the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Public Affairs Office at (562) 626- 7215. For the latest information on current access restrictions to the base, including Anaheim Bay, the 24-hour command status line can be reached at (562) 626-6000.

-City News Service