Whidbey Island Naval Air Station will be participating in a Navy-wide force protection exercise called Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2011, Feb. 22-25.

This annual training is designed to train and prepare Navy security personnel to respond to threats to installations and units. This is a regularly scheduled exercise and is not in response to any specific threat.

“We will try to minimize public impact, but local area residents and businesses may experience increased traffic and periodic gate delays at Ault Field,” said Kim Martin, public affairs officer at the base.

Area residents and personnel working on or visiting the base may also see increased security activity or hear gun fire associated with the exercise.