The Waterline

Page 1

The Waterline

February 2, 2012

Vol. XXIX No. 5

www.cnic.navy.mil/ndw

www.facebook.com/NavDistWash

waterline@dcmilitary.com

NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION

Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2012: We train to protect Chatney Auger, NDW Public Affairs

With the increase in homegrown terrorism, it is imperative that first responders are prepared. Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield is one of the military's vehicles for ensuring that its first responders are primed and ready for anything. "This is a yearly military exercise designed to test the effectiveness of our Anti-Terrorist Force Protection (ATFP) readiness and training programs," said Julie Keegan, exercise planner for Naval DistrictWashington (NDW). During the week of March 19-24 emergency responders on military installations around the world will engage in Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2012, the largest ATFP exercise on all naval bases and installations conducted in the Continental United States. A series of mock drills are staged to resemble reallife emergencies during Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield throughout the region. "This will test our emergency responders on how knowledgeable they are on ATFP procedures and how they can think on their feet," said Keegan. According to Keegan, when Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield is in full swing, Sailors, civilian employees, and contractors will notice activity that may look like a real-life emergency and those accessing the installation can

expect possible delays due to increased security checks posture at installation access points. Along with the normal ID checks, personnel should also expect additional delays from bag checks and possible vehicle canvassing. The public may also see an increase in security service personnel and traffic around installations. While residents should remain vigilant for suspicious activity, they should not interpret the additional activity as more than a routine military exercise. "Normally, installations operate under Force Protection Condition (FPCON) Alpha. This status applies when a general threat of terrorist activity exists," said Keegan. "Through the course of the Solid Curtain/ Citadel Shield 2012, security procedures will progress through PFCON Charlie." FPCON Charlie is set when an incident occurs or when the probability of an attack may occur against personnel of the facilities. It is also important that personnel pay attention and heed messages on the Wide Area Alert Network (WAAN) during Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield. WAAN is a mass notification system that alerts the base population of increased force protection levels and potential danger. The AtHoc software application on Navy Marine Corp Intranet (NMCI) computers (the small purple globe in your system

Healthy Heart Month starts now at the Branch Health Clinic By Leigh Houck, MHS Health Educator, BHC, WNY Cardiovascular disease, or heart disease, is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, killing 630,000 Americans each year. There are many types of heart disease such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, and congestive heart failure. To prevent heart disease and to increase awareness of its effects, the Branch Health Clinic Washington NavyYard (BHCWNY) is proud to be participating in Healthy Heart Month. The most common type of heart disease in the U.S. is coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to a

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Raymond Mills

Naval District of Washington firemen tend to an injured officer after a mock shooting March 24, 2010 on former, Naval Support Facility Anacostia. Naval Support Activity Washington is participating in Exercise Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield, a security training exercise coordinated by U.S. Fleet Forces Command and conducted by Commander, Naval Installations Command. Exercise Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield has been conducted since 1999. tray) notifies NMCI users of key operational events or emergencies. The alerts are sent di-

TheTaxmancometh by Aaron J. Heiner, NDW Public Affairs The Navy Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Center will open for business today and will remain open until April 17 for enlisted personnel and family members who are seeking assistance with their 2011 tax returns. The VITA program provides Sailors, retirees and their dependent family members, as well as reservists in limited cases and DoD civilians overseas or deployed with the U.S. Armed Forces, the ability to get help with their taxes, and to have their returns prepared for free by Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-trained volunteers. According to Lt. j.g. Chao Pan, tax assistance officer for Naval DistrictWashington (NDW), there are changes affecting how theVITA centers function for tax year 2011. In the past, a service member or spouse would sit down with a tax preparation assistant, review the paperwork, fill out the tax forms, then file a return. "This year instead of the tax assistance center preparing

See Heart, Page 8

See Tax, Page 8

U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Jennifer R. Hudson

Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Austin Taylor, right, a volunteer income tax assistance member, assists Utilitiesman 1st Class Doak Walker, assigned to Naval Weapons Station Charleston, in preparing his 2009 Federal and State taxes. Volunteer income assistance members provide free tax advice, preparation, and assistance during the tax season to military members, Department of Defense civilians and their family members.

Inside Link directly to the NDW Facebook page on your smart phone

See Shield, Page 7

Around the Yard, Page 2

AFPAK Hands, Page 6


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