Defense News: U.S. Naval Base Guam to Conduct Citadel Protect Exercise

Source: United States Navy

This is the first in a series of exercises that will be held on NBG this month. Citadel Pacific is scheduled for Aug. 15-19.

The Citadel Protect exercise, which will be held in Apra Harbor and other locations on NBG main base and Polaris Point, is part of the Navy’s training and exercise continuum. This training enables Navy security forces to train and simultaneously assess mission readiness. The exercise series focuses on command, control and communications for missions requiring a coordinated response from both ashore and afloat units in response.

The exercise involves various training scenarios that replicate real-world events, and is designed to enhance the readiness of Navy security forces to respond to threats to installations and units. Citadel Protect is not in response to any specific threat, but is a regularly scheduled exercise.

This exercise will incorporate blank ammunition fire as part of the simulated attacks. Residents are advised to not be alarmed if they see or hear an increase in military presence in the Apra Harbor area.

There is the possibility of increased patrols and security activity on and around NBG as a result of this planned training. Measures have been taken to minimize disruptions to normal operations, but there may be times when the exercise will cause increased traffic around base or delays in base access. As part of the exercise, the NBG Giant Voice (GV) system will be activated, and residents in surrounding areas of the GV speakers will hear exercise announcements throughout the week.