Amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) conducted a simulated small boat attack and mass casualty drill as part of Exercise Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield 2017 (SC-CS17) while moored pierside at its homeport of Naval Station Mayport Feb. 7.

SC-CS17 are two separate, but related annual anti-terrorism and force protection exercises conducted by U.S. Fleet Forces and Navy Installations Command on all Navy installations in the continental United States (CONUS) and not in response to any specific threat.

During the two-week exercise, Sailors and other first responders responded to a variety of security threats throughout CONUS bases, including bomb threats, active shooter drills, and proper handling of suspicious packages.

"We have to make sure we are safe as possible, regardless of the scenario," said Lt. Matthew Clark, Iwo Jima's security officer. "That is why we do this -- to come together and concentrate on the safety of the ship, the base, and everyone on it. It's also great to work with the local base and city organizations, as it's something that takes a lot of coordination by everyone involved to have exercises of these magnitudes."

The exercise provided Iwo Jima with an opportunity to focus on hands-on assessment of situations and train responders and watchstanders on how threats are handled in a real-world environment.

"The drills are an opportunity to increase our readiness to respond to changing and dynamic threats at any given time," said Clark. "Whether the ship is here in Mayport, out to sea, or at a foreign port, we always need to be ready and this gives us that opportunity to be ready for the real thing if it occurs."

Exercise SC-CS17 assesses Navy ATFP command and control capabilities and evaluates the readiness and effectiveness of fleet and installation anti-terrorism and force protection programs throughout the U.S. Northern Command area of responsibility.

Iwo Jima is currently moored at her homeport at Naval Station Mayport conducting a scheduled maintenance availability.

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