Groton ―The Naval Submarine Base and its Naval Security Force will participate in training exercises along the base’s waterfront starting Monday that involve the firing of automatic weapons with blank ammunition.

Automatic weapons firing will take place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Feb. 6 and Feb. 9 on the Thames River in the vicinity of base.

“If our neighbors or base personnel hear gunfire or something of concern at any other time, then they should report it immediately for the proper authorities to investigate,” Dave Cruz, the Installation Training coordinator, said in a statement.

The exercise, called “Citadel Shield/Solid Curtain,” will occur between Feb. 5 and Feb. 16 and involve drills designed to test the security force’s response to threats to the base and its submarines.

Exercise drills will involve submarine base force mobile units, Harbor Patrol Boats units, role players, simulated aggressor boats, homeported submarines, and base waterfront facilities, the Navy said in a statement.

A large team of training and safety observers will be involved during the drills to ensure safety. Cruz said the base has been communicating with local officials, emergency managers, and the media to help keep the community aware of the noise associated gunfire.

Editor’s note: This version corrects the type of ammunition in the headline.