Groton — Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE) will conduct a Naval Security Force drill during a routine exercise, midmorning, Wednesday, Sept. 24.

A regularly scheduled event, and not in response to any specific threat, the drill will test the readiness of the SUBASE Naval Security Force to respond to a threat to the base and its homeported submarines.

In the past, such drills have ranged from events such as recognizing and countering base surveillance operations, to higher-tempo simulated emergencies such as a small boat attack on the base waterfront or a gunman in a public area or building on the installation.

Wednesday's exercise will not only test base security force personnel and their responses, but also engage other base emergency responders as well as the base community at large.

Access to the base may be briefly restricted, and SUBASE personnel and patrons at base activities may be required to briefly take shelter.

Many communication tools will be used to keep SUBASE personnel informed about the exercise security situation. Computer network alert systems will distribute messages to office computers and the "giant voice system" will be used to immediately alert people basewide. The giant voice system is an outdoor intercom loud enough to alert anyone outside on base of a potential threat.

SUBASE leadership appreciates the patience and understanding of the community as this important drill may briefly cause increased traffic around the base. Area residents may also see increased security activity associated with the training event.