Naval Support Activity Annapolis (NSAA) is preparing to participate in exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2019 (CS/SC 19), which is scheduled to take place Feb. 4-15.

CS/SC is an annual two-week anti-terrorism and force protection (ATFP) exercise conducted by Commander, Navy Installations Command and Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command on all Navy installations in the continental United States.

“I look to see if we have improved our capabilities to respond to security challenges, as well as emergency response to incidents,” said Brian Kelm, NSAA deputy commanding officer. "Each year, I expect to see measureable improvement in these areas so that we are more and more ready to successfully deter, respond and manage the consequences of an attack on our people and capabilities.”

As part of Naval District Washington, NSAA’s training scenarios will be overseen by NDW exercise analyst, Tim Stoessel, who has managed nine previous CS/SC exercises.

“All of these exercises are very important for NDW," said Stoessel. "Our six installations need to continue to train to improve our anti-terrorism/force protection stance at all of our entry control points. It’s very important that all of our naval security forces and first responders are well prepared, so that in the event of a real scenario, they’re able to perform.”

Like Stoessel, Kelm is a veteran of CS/SC, and CS/SC 19 will be his 19th time participating. He said they try to increase the realism of exercises at NSAA each year.

“The past few years, we have focused more and more on active shooter response," said Kelm. "Earlier, we were focused on incidents at the entry control points. When I ask people we train if they think there is a possibility of an active shooter, the answer universally is ‘yes,’ and we need to be ready and trained to respond as individuals and as organized commands.”

For real-time updates on Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2019, visit www.facebook.com/NavDistWash

For more AtHoc information visit: www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/ndw/about/waan.html

For more news from Naval District Washington, visit www.navy.mil/.

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