Whidbey Island Naval Air Station will participate in Exercise Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2009 along with other naval bases and installations throughout the continental United States during the period Feb. 23-27.

“This exercise is not in response to any specific threat but is a regularly-scheduled exercise, designed to enhance the training and readiness of Navy security personnel to respond to threats to installations and units,” said Kim Martin, public information officer, in a news release.

Martin said measures have been taken to minimize disruptions to normal base and station operations, but there may be times when the exercise causes increased traffic around bases or delays in base access.

“Area residents may also see increased security activity associated with the exercise,” Martin said.