VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2024 is a large-scale exercise conducted by Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces and Commander, Navy Installations Command on all Navy bases in the continental U.S.
The fictitious scenario at Joint Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach on Tuesday was an active shooter pursuit on the water of Little Creek Harbor — all to test and demonstrate the Navy's commitment to protecting life, equipment and facilities.
In recent years, the Navy has become hyper-vigilant when it comes to force protection and base security.
Year after year, they conduct realistic drills, to enhance the readiness of Navy security forces and ensure seamless interoperability among the commands, other services, and civilian first responder partners to enhance the overall readiness of Navy personnel to an unfolding crisis — if the real thing were to ever happen.
Little Creek Master at Arms Second Class Thomas Thornton was fired up.
"It is super important, and we do various exercises around the year as well to ensure that we're ready and we can respond accordingly to any situation that happens," he said.
Navy officials say measures have been taken this week to minimize disruptions within local communities and to normal base operations.
But there may be times when the exercise causes increased traffic around bases or delays in base access.