Month: February 2023

Source: United States Navy

Exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2023 (CSSC23) is conducted by Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) and Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) on all Navy installations in the continental U.S.
 
“Our security team will be perfecting their tactics, training and procedures, and honing their skills to ensure they remain the premier fighting force, ready and able to defend our nation every day.” said Naval Support Activity Panama City Commanding Officer Cmdr. Keith Foster
 
Citadel Shield, which occurs the first week, is the field training exercise (FTX) portion led by CNIC. Solid Curtain occurs the following week and is the command post exercise (CPX) led by USFFC. This two-part approach was designed to enhance the readiness of Navy security forces and ensure seamless interoperability among the commands, other services and agency partners in order to protect life, equipment and facilities.
 
CSSC23 is a regularly scheduled exercise and is not being held in response to any specific threat.
 
Measures have been taken 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. Area residents may also see or hear security activities associated with the exercise. Advanced coordination has taken place with local law enforcement and first responders.
For information about potential impacts due to the exercise, please follow our social media platforms https://www.facebook.com/NSAPC.

Source: United States Navy

She observed training of special warfare candidates and discussed the curriculum and policies related to assessment, selection, and training with command leadership.

Franchetti’s agenda at NSWCEN was focused on engaging with instructors, staff, SEAL and SWCC candidates, and NSW leaders.

“Talking with the men and women at the Center gave me the opportunity to better understand the critical role this command plays in forging the future of the NSW community,” said Franchetti.

Franchetti toured the new NSW Basic Training Command facility, recently built for improved and efficient training. The facility became operational in December of 2022 and hosted its first class this month.

“I wanted to see first-hand the new basic training facilities and what changes were made, as well as how this will improve overall training,” said Franchetti. “I appreciated that NSW leaders are exhibiting the self-assessing, self-correcting, and always learning behaviors that we are adopting Navy-wide.”

“It was invaluable to observe our special warfare candidates during the extensive and rigorous training pipeline to potentially become our nation’s top operators,” Franchetti said. “The NSW community is an integral element of our nation’s fighting forces. They are leading the charge at the tip of the spear.”

“We were honored to host Admiral Franchetti and demonstrate how we forge the next generation of naval commandos,” said Capt. Brian Drechsler, commander, Naval Special Warfare Center. “Our instructors and staff work extremely hard every day to challenge our candidates, prepare them for combat, and prioritize their safety and well-being. It is only through constant self-assessment, innovation, and grit that we relentlessly improve our assessment, selection and training processes for future Navy SEALs and SWCC.”

This visit to NSWCEN was Franchetti’s first since her appointment as Vice Chief of Naval Operations in September 2022.

Naval Special Warfare Center, located on Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, provides initial assessment and selection and subsequent advanced training to the Sailors who make up the Navy’s SEAL and Special Boat communities, a key asset of NSW. The NSW mission is to provide maritime special operations forces to conduct full-spectrum operations, unilaterally or with partners, to support national objectives.

For more information on the NSW assessment, selection, and training pathway, visit https://www.sealswcc.com/.

Source: United States Navy

The U.S. military today began collecting the remnants of a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon shot down by an Air Force fighter over the weekend.

Air Force Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, said the recovery effort began about 10 a.m. Rough seas thwarted safe, comprehensive debris collection yesterday, he said.

On Saturday, an F-22 Raptor fighter from the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, fired one AIM-9X Sidewinder missile at the balloon, which had floated southeastward across the United States.

It fell about six miles off the coast of South Carolina into about 50 feet of water. No one was hurt.

Precautions are being taken during the salvage operation in case explosives or toxic substances are present, VanHerck said.

Due to changing ocean currents, it’s possible that some debris could escape notice and wash ashore. VanHerck said members of the public can be assist by informing local law enforcement personnel if they spot remnants of the balloon; they should not collect it themselves.

The USS Carter Hall, an amphibious landing ship, is collecting debris in the vicinity of the splashdown, he said.

The USNS Pathfinder, a survey ship, is mapping the ocean floor using sonar for the debris search, VanHerck said.

Explosive ordnance members and at least one unmanned underwater vehicle are also participating, he said.

In addition, VanHerck said the Coast Guard cutters Venturous, Richard Snyder and Nathan B. Bruckenthal, along with Coast Guard aviation support, are keeping the area safe for military personnel and the general public.

The FBI and Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents are embedded with salvage operations personnel to assist in counterintelligence work, he added.

VanHerck mentioned that the Federal Aviation Administration was helpful in closing air space when the balloon was being shot down.

It’s truly been an interagency team effort, VanHerck noted.