This past weekend, several US military bases across Europe were placed on high alert, increasing their force protection level to the second-highest state. Concerns over a potential terrorist attack targeting US military personnel or facilities prompted this precautionary measure, as reported by two US officials.
Among the bases affected was the US Army garrison in Stuttgart, Germany, where US European Command is located. On Sunday, these bases raised their alert level to Force Protection Condition “Charlie,” signifying a heightened state of readiness.
According to the US Army, this status is applied “when an incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating some form of terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities is likely.”
One of the US officials stationed at a base in Europe told CNN, “We haven’t seen this threat level in at least 10 years,” indicating the severity of the situation. The official elaborated that this level usually indicates an “active-reliable threat.”
When questioned about the increased alert level, a spokesperson for US European Command, Cdr. Dan Day, refrained from commenting on specific force protection levels. However, he emphasized that they are consistently evaluating various factors to ensure the safety of the US military community abroad. Day urged personnel in the European theater to remain vigilant and alert at all times.
While the specific intelligence prompting this heightened security remains unclear, European authorities have issued warnings of a potential terror threat on the continent, especially with significant events like the Paris Olympics in July and the ongoing European football championships in Germany.
To bolster security measures, the German government brought in 580 international police officers to assist alongside German officers. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated, “We are preparing ourselves for all conceivable dangers: from Islamist terror to violent criminals and hooligans.”
Additionally, France has raised its national security alert system to the highest level in anticipation of potential terror threats at the upcoming Olympic Games. The US embassy in France highlighted that French authorities are actively monitoring terrorist threats from organized groups and radicalized individuals, cautioning that attacks could occur with little or no warning at tourist locations, major events, and public areas.
