Veteran law enforcement officer Kara Clark practiced some of her hostage negotiation skills during a training at Naval Air Station in Meridian Wednesday morning. 

Clark, a deputy with the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department, participated in Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain, an active shooter exercise which simulated a real life emergency. 

The exercise was designed to enhance the readiness of Navy security forces and ensure seamless interoperability among the commands, other services and agency partners, according to NAS officials.  The trainings also aim to make sure members of the base are up-to-date with any threats by applying new procedures. The trainings are different each year, but they serve the same purpose. 

One focus of the exercise was teamwork, which is key to resolving emergency situations, said NAS Meridian Security Officer U.S. Navy Lieutenant Barion Haywood. If an event did occur, the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s office and other outside agencies would assist NAS.   

Clark said the drill showed her how law enforcement and the military are different, but noted that some procedures are similar. 

“The actual hostage negotiation part is the same,” Clark said.

Exercises such as Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain pay off when it comes to being prepared, said

Cmdr. J.P. Falardeau, executive officer of NAS Meridian. He said that base personnel can take what they’ve learned and adapt it as needed. 

“We did a great job of collecting those lessons learned and being more prepared for the future,” Falardeau said.