United States military bases across Europe were placed on the second-highest terror warning level on Sunday. The threat condition was raised to Force Protection Condition Charlie, which happens “when an incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating some form of terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities is likely.” The alert covers most of Western, Eastern, and Southern Europe.
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At U.S. European Command headquarters in Stuttgart, the Army garrison on Sunday issued a communitywide alert that the force protection threat level was elevated to condition “Charlie” until further notice.
Similar directives were sent to other bases in Germany, including the Army’s Rheinland-Pfalz and Ramstein Air Base, which together form the largest U.S. military community overseas. The Rheinland-Pfalz garrison alert includes Baumholder and outlying installations in Romania and Bulgaria.
Aviano Air Base in Italy also rose its condition level to Charlie, and other installations in Italy introduced enhanced security measures.
No information was released on the cause for the threat warning or the force protection measures instituted. Typically, such alerts indicate heightened scrutiny of vehicles entering installations and, in some cases, servicemembers may be instructed to refrain from wearing uniforms off post (though having been stationed in Germany, I don’t think it takes someone particularly bright or on the ball to pick Americans out in a bar, restaurant, or on the sidewalk).
The warning may have nothing to do with the US, as the Paris Olympics opens on July 26, and the European Football championships are underway. Both of those would be huge targets for Islamists or Columbia grads, but I repeat myself, seeking to show their support for Hamas terrorists. But there are other possible scenarios that shouldn’t be discounted.
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