U.S. Naval Base Guam, along with various Navy first responders will participate in the annual Commander, Naval Installations Command anti-terrorism/force protection exercise Citadel Protect 2017 from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2.
The Citadel Protect exercise, which will be held in Apra Harbor, is part of the Navy's training and exercise continuum, which enables Navy security forces to train and simultaneously assess mission essential tasks and readiness across the enterprise. The exercise series focuses on command, control and communications for missions requiring a coordinated response from both ashore and afloat units in response to waterborne improvised explosive devices and land-based active shooter threats.
The exercise involves various training scenarios that replicate real-world events, and is designed to enhance the training and 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.