NAS Pax River activates FPCON Charlie during exercise

PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION, MD – Naval Air Station Patuxent River activated Force Protection Condition (FPCON) Charlie measures Feb. 7 in support of the Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield 17 (SC-CS17) exercise occurring Navy-wide.   

FPCONs are a system of protective measures used by Department of Defense installations and organizations to guard against and deter terrorist attack, and are categorized from normal operating conditions to Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta in order of increasing levels of security measures. Under FPCON Charlie, installations typically place heightened restrictions on access to military facilities, increase barrier placement, and increase random security patrols and inspections. In addition to delays, personnel can expect emergency response notifications in relation to the FPCON elevation. 

The raising of NAS Patuxent River’s security condition to FPCON Charlie during SC/CS17 helps personnel to train and operate in an environment as realistic as possible, allowing them to be better prepared in the event of an actual FPCON elevation. 

“By going in to FPCON Charlie during the Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield exercise, our personnel get to know what to expect in the event of an actual FPCON elevation,” said Lt. Robert Files, installation security officer at NAS Patuxent River. “By training in a realistic environment, all personnel – military, civilian, and first responders – are better suited to respond to a real-world event should it occur.” 

For more information regarding NAS Patuxent River, visit the command Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NASPaxRiver, or at www.cnic.navy.mil/Patuxent.