Naval Weapons Station trains for potential disaster

Today, Aug. 10, is the final day of natural disaster exercises being performed at the Naval Weapons Station, which began on Aug. 8. The exercises are part of an annual nationwide Navy drill known as Exercise Citadel Rumble 2023.

Base Training Officer Jay St. Germaine said that the activities would make the station’s “disaster preparedness even better.”

The exercise provides training that improves the ability of Navy personnel to react to no-notice disaster events, and reminds military families how to prepare for and where to find Navy resources after an incident. Exercise scenarios use realistic potential incidents based on the locations of each individual base.

At Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, base personnel practice preparing for and responding to large earthquakes, tsunamis and the resulting infrastructure damage.

Base personnel and area residents may see or hear first responder activities associated with the exercise, or hear the station’s “Giant Voice” mass notification loudspeaker system.

Simulated mass casualty events and role players will also be used.