() – Several US military bases across Europe were placed on heightened alert status over the weekend, with the force protection level raised to its second-highest status amid concerns that a terrorist attack could target personnel or US military facilities, according to two US officials.
Bases, including the U.S. Army garrison in Stuttgart, Germany, where the U.S. European Command is based, raised their alert level to Force Protect Condition “Charlie” on Sunday, officials said.
That status “applies when an incident occurs or information is received indicating that some form of terrorist action is likely to be carried out or that it is targeting personnel or facilities,” according to the US Army.
One of the US officials, who is based in a base in Europe, told they had not seen this level of threat “in at least 10 years” and said it generally means the military has received a “reliable-active threat.” ”.
When asked about the change, a U.S. European Command spokesman, Dan Day, declined to comment on specific force protection levels. But he told that USEUCOM is “constantly evaluating a variety of factors that influence the security of the U.S. military community abroad. As part of that effort, we often take additional measures to ensure the safety of our service members. For operational security reasons we will not go into specific measures, but we will remain vigilant.”
Day added that “USEUCOM constantly monitors the security environment to ensure its personnel are informed and in the best posture to ensure the safety of themselves, family and loved ones. “As always, USEUCOM advises personnel in the European theater to remain alert at all times.”
It is unclear what intelligence triggered the security surge, but European authorities have warned of a possible terrorist threat on the continent, especially ahead of the Paris Olympics in July and during the current European soccer championships in Germany.
The German Government mobilized 580 international police officers to assist with security alongside German officers.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said before the tournament: “We are preparing for every danger imaginable: from Islamist terrorism to violent criminals and hooligans.”
France has also prepared for the possibility of a possible terrorist threat to the Olympic Games, which begin in just under a month. Since March, France has raised its national security alert system to the highest level, according to the US embassy in France.
“French authorities actively monitor terrorist threats from organized groups and radicalized individuals,” the embassy said. “Attacks can occur with little or no warning, targeting tourist sites, major sporting and cultural events, and other public areas that attract large numbers of civilians.”
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