Navy-wide drill under way at base

Naval Weapons Station Earle is participating in the Navy-wide Exercise Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2009 during the week of Feb. 23-27 at the installation’s mainside facility off Route 34 in Colts Neck and at the waterfront facility off Route 36 in the Leonardo section of Middletown.

Exercise Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield is designed to enhance the training and readiness of Navy security personnel. It establishes a learning environment for players to exercise functional plans and operational capabilities.

This is a regularly scheduled exercise and not in response to any specific threat, according to a press release from the U.S. Navy.

Motorists traveling near Naval Weapons Station Earle may see increased security and military police presence and/or traffic delays at the entrances to the installation. Motorists traveling in the vicinity of the mainside or waterfront gates should be aware of the potential for slower moving traffic in the area.