Military service members and personnel onboard Naval Support Activity Souda Bay took part in a Region Training Assist Visit (RTAV), Sept. 18-22, 2023. During RTAV, the Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central (EURAFCENT) Region Training Team (RTT) worked with NSA Souda Bay’s Installation Training Team (ITT) to present training scenarios that tested the effectiveness of the installation’s Navy Security Force (NSF), Fire & Emergency Services, and Incident Management Team.
“We are here to monitor and evaluate NSA Souda Bay’s ITT and their ability to train our watchstanders up to Commander, Navy Installation Commands (CNIC) requirements,” said Cmdr. Emmerich Langham, EURAFCENT regional security manager and member of the RTT from Naples. “We’re making sure that the installations are ready for certification when that time comes.”
RTAV is part of continuous three-year training cycle that ensures the installation’s ability to meet its mission essential tasks. RTAV provides training assistance to NSA Souda Bay’s ITT prior to formal assessment by EURAFCENT and CNIC.
“RTAV and other assessment cycles are so important, not just for our Navy Security Force, but also for assuring the mission readiness of our entire ITT,” said Cmdr. James Kotora, executive officer, NSA Souda Bay. “RTAV gives us the opportunity to make sure that all of Team Souda is at the top of our game to ensure continuity of operations for the forward operating forces that rely on us.”
CNIC installations are required to have a qualified training team that can effectively assess and train individuals and watch teams to increase NSF proficiency in the performance of the force protection mission.
“As a watchstander, we’re important because we’re in charge of the overall security of the base,” said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class DeShon Bell, a member of NSA Souda Bay’s Navy Security Force and the assistant leading petty officer for training. “Through the day-to-day, you might not realize that you’re that valuable to the mission, but knowing that our security posture is what helps keep all of 6th Fleet running: It’s quite humbling. To be just a little piece of that is awesome.”
NSA Souda Bay is strategically located for power projection in the Eastern Mediterranean, supporting the Warfighter with access to an all-weather airfield, a deep-water pier facility and refueling and resupply services.
“We’re here to help [NSA Souda Bay through this process,” said Langham. “Our job is to make sure that they’re prepared. Our job is to make sure that they’re ready.”