Navy Region Northwest kicked off a two-week anti-terrorism and force-protection drill Monday morning, so folks around Whidbey Island, Kitsap and Everett may hear sirens, loudspeaker alerts and small, staged explosions. The Navy says the noise and training smoke are all scripted parts of the exercise and do not pose any danger to the public. Drivers should be ready for temporary gate closures and heavier traffic near base entrances while the training is underway.
According to Commander, Navy Region Northwest, Exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2026 began Monday and will run through Feb. 6. The region’s public affairs office stresses that this is a regularly scheduled anti-terrorism and force-protection event and is not a reaction to any specific threat.
As reported by KOMO News, the drills will feature training smoke, loudspeaker notifications and small explosive sounds to better mimic real-world responses. The Navy lists Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Naval Base Kitsap, Naval Magazine Indian Island and Naval Station Everett among the installations taking part, and warns that the simulations could cause brief access delays at those bases.
Why the Navy Runs This Drill
In a press release from the U.S. Navy, officials say Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain is designed to test installation security forces, command and control, and how well bases coordinate with local emergency responders across the continental United States. “Force protection is everyone’s responsibility whether in competition or crisis, and Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain is a critical test of our preparedness and responsiveness,” Adm. Karl Thomas said in the release.
What Locals Might Notice
Area residents may see more vehicle and vessel activity around Navy facilities, encounter short-term gate closures and hear emergency-style loudspeaker messages while the exercise runs, according to the region’s public affairs office. Coordination with local law enforcement and first responders has already been arranged, and the Navy emphasizes that the training smoke and small blast noises are controlled simulations that do not present a safety risk to the public, as stated by Commander, Navy Region Northwest.
Where to Find Updates
Individual bases are posting exercise-related notices about closures and other impacts on their official websites and social media channels, and the Navy shares broader exercise details and FAQs on its own pages. The Puget Sound is the Navy’s third-largest fleet concentration area, so installations say this kind of training is key to keeping response procedures current, as reported by KOMO News.
If you hear unexpected loud noises or notice activity you did not anticipate, stay calm and reach out to the base public affairs office to confirm whether it is part of the exercise. Call 911 only if there is an immediate threat to life or property. For installation contact details and real-time updates, check the individual base websites listed by the region’s public affairs office.
