‘Potential threat’ puts NATO base in Germany on alert
The NATO AWACS facility in Geilenkirchen has evacuated nonessential personnel in response to intelligence indicating a “highly likely” threat. Read Full Article at RT.com.
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The NATO radar plane facility in Geilenkirchen, Germany, has heightened its security measures in response to warnings of a possible security threat. Situated close to the German-Dutch border, the base is a critical location for the NATO AWACS (airborne early warning and control systems) fleet, which has been operational since 1988.
“We raised the security level at NATO Airbase Geilenkirchen based on intelligence information indicating potential threat,” the base communicated via its X (formerly Twitter) account late Thursday evening.
In addition to boosting security, the facility has also taken precautionary steps by dismissing all non-essential personnel. "All non-mission essential staff have been sent home as a precautionary measure," noted the base, while also confirming that "Operations continue as planned."
According to a spokesperson in communication with Reuters, the base has escalated its threat level to Charlie. This status is activated under circumstances indicating that a terrorist attack is “highly likely.”
The announcement follows a recent incident where the base reported an attempt at unauthorized entry last week, prompting a comprehensive security review. Additionally, on the same day, the German air force base in Cologne-Wahn had to enforce a lockdown to investigate a potential contamination of its water supply, though tests later confirmed the water was safe.
This upgrade in security level also occurred on a day when there was an ongoing investigation into unidentified drones that were spotted over important infrastructure in the north of the country.
Amid these heightened security alerts, NATO has been decisively vocal about the risk of sabotage, particularly from Russia, as the alliance continues to support Ukraine with military aid. This aid, according to U.S. and allied leaders, does not implicate them in the conflict with Russia, despite Moscow's repeated cautions.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
“We raised the security level at NATO Airbase Geilenkirchen based on intelligence information indicating potential threat,” the base communicated via its X (formerly Twitter) account late Thursday evening.
In addition to boosting security, the facility has also taken precautionary steps by dismissing all non-essential personnel. "All non-mission essential staff have been sent home as a precautionary measure," noted the base, while also confirming that "Operations continue as planned."
According to a spokesperson in communication with Reuters, the base has escalated its threat level to Charlie. This status is activated under circumstances indicating that a terrorist attack is “highly likely.”
The announcement follows a recent incident where the base reported an attempt at unauthorized entry last week, prompting a comprehensive security review. Additionally, on the same day, the German air force base in Cologne-Wahn had to enforce a lockdown to investigate a potential contamination of its water supply, though tests later confirmed the water was safe.
This upgrade in security level also occurred on a day when there was an ongoing investigation into unidentified drones that were spotted over important infrastructure in the north of the country.
Amid these heightened security alerts, NATO has been decisively vocal about the risk of sabotage, particularly from Russia, as the alliance continues to support Ukraine with military aid. This aid, according to U.S. and allied leaders, does not implicate them in the conflict with Russia, despite Moscow's repeated cautions.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
