NSA Annapolis passes regional security assessment, clears path to final evaluation

Naval District Washington:

"__NSA Annapolis passes regional security assessment, clears path to final evaluation __

By MC2 RuKiyah Mack, NDW Public Affairs

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Nov. 5, 2026) - Naval Support Activity Annapolis passed its Regional Assessment, or RASS, Nov. 2-5, after demonstrating the installation’s public safety departments’ ability to cohesively execute their responsibilities during an emergency.

RASS is part of Commander, Navy Installations Command’s Navy Security Force shore assessment and certification cycle. The cycle consists of three phases: Command Assessment of Readiness and Training, RASS, and the Final Evaluation Problem, known as FEP.

For the assessment, Naval District Washington sent an evaluation team to examine all aspects of the installation’s security forces and emergency response, including communication, joint integration and life-safety actions.

The exercise included personnel from NSA Annapolis security forces and law enforcement alongside NDW Fire and Emergency Services and emergency management teams.

“This exercise is important because a real-world emergency requires multiple organizations to operate as one team under time pressure,” said Taylor Vaughn, NSA Annapolis Emergency Operations Center manager.

“Although Security Forces/Law Enforcement, NDW Fire and Emergency Services, and Emergency Management have distinct responsibilities, they all support the same installation and mission of protecting the NSA Annapolis and the U.S. Naval Academy community,” Vaughn said. “RASS helps validate plans, procedures, communications and coordination before they are needed during an actual incident.”

RASS determines whether an installation is prepared to participate in FEP. Having earned a passing score, NSA Annapolis is approved to participate in FEP early next year. FEP marks the final step in the assessment process, which certifies the installation’s security forces for 18 months.

“This was a big achievement for our security forces, training team and EOC,” said Capt. LaDonna Simpson, commanding officer of NSA Annapolis. “I know a lot of hard work went into getting ready and executing the drill package, and I really appreciate everyone’s effort. I’m proud of our performance and want to keep up the momentum for FEP. We’ve got to continue doing the right things and keep improving.”

While Simpson focused praise on security personnel, she emphasized that support across the entire command contributed to passing the assessment.

“Thank you to all the nonsecurity folks that had significant input to this past week’s success,” Simpson said. “Many hands made light work. This RASS touched each and every one of us, and success was due to all of us acting as a team.”