Groton — The Naval Submarine Base will conduct various security force drills and training during a major Navy-wide exercise from Feb. 1 to Feb. 12.

The regularly scheduled exercise, titled Solid Curtain - Citadel Shield 2016, is not in response to any specific threat.  

The training opportunities will stress different areas of the Navy's anti-terrorism program by simulating real-world threats. 

Locally, the training will enhance the readiness of naval base security forces to respond to threats to the base and submarines homeported there.

"Exercise events here will simulate real-world threats as realistically as we can, and test our local responses," said Cmdr. Kurt Stronach, the base's executive officer. "The audacity and boldness of the tragic incidents in France, Pakistan and around the world continue to show that we all must be ready to respond to terrorist threats."

Exercise scenarios could include recognizing and countering base surveillance operations, to higher-tempo simulated emergencies such as a small boat attack on the base waterfront or an active shooter in a public area or building on the installation.

The exercise scenarios also will engage other base emergency responders as well as the base community at large. During some scenarios, base personnel and patrons at base activities will be required to briefly shelter in place.

On or about Feb. 9, the base may increase its Force Protection Condition as part of the exercise. Base access would be limited during these occasions and the local area traffic pattern may be impacted.

Computer network alert systems will distribute messages to office computers and the "giant voice system" will be used to immediately alert people basewide.