Training drills at the Navy’s medical complex in Bethesda may cause some traffic delays next week, the base announced.
Beginning on March 11 and running through March 15, base personnel will participate in installation “force protection drills” to “’train like we fight,’” according to the announcement.
The base along Rockville Pike houses around 12,000 employees across more than 40 tenants, including Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
The training is only for the core installation staff in key positions and the base’s Navy Security Forces, said Jeremy Brooks, a base spokesman.
Patients and employees should expect heightened security measures, such as the placement of barriers, and full identification checks. Those accessing the 245-acre base are encouraged to plan for alternate entry points.
Drivers with base access can use any open gate. Gates 1, 2, 3 and 5 are open during weekday working hours, Brooks said.
The exercises are not part of an annual procedure or a response to a specific threat, Brooks said. They are similar to the nationwide Citadel Shield – Solid Curtain security training conducted from Feb. 4 to Feb. 15. Citadel Shield is an annual anti-terrorism exercise done by all Navy installations in the continental U.S. to ensure the preparedness of Navy Security Forces.
Brooks could not disclose exact locations or times of the drills, given the nature of the activities. He said they could occur anytime during work hours.
The base routinely notifies residents about any potential traffic delays or loud noises related to training actions, Brooks said.
The training itself are not a response to the false alarm sounded at Walter Reed in November, Brooks said.
Local authorities are aware of the exercises and will only respond if an actual emergency incident occurs, apart from the training.
This story was updated to correct the location of the naval base.
Charlie Wright can be reached at charlie.wright@moco360.media
