US Military Bases Raise Security Status Due to ISIS Threat
WASHINGTON (WTVD) -- Military bases and installations in the United States have been ordered to raise their force protection condition status to Bravo (FPCON Bravo), due to general concerns about ISIS related threats, but not because of any specific threat or plot.
U.S. Northern Command's Admiral William Gortney ordered the increase in the force protection condition from FPCON Alpha Plus, which is the standard for U.S. military bases.
The order will result in some visible increases in security, though there will also be other not-so-visible measures that will be taken. It is unclear how long the order to raise the force protection condition will remain in effect.
Force Protection Conditions essentially set a baseline for U.S. military facilities to follow for their security. This would include military recruiting stations and offices outside of U.S. military bases. The Pentagon has been on a higher force protection status than Alpha Plus for years.
The last time the force protection status was raised to the Bravo level was on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The higher levels of force protection are Charlie and Delta.
The FP Condition was raised to Bravo "as a prudent measure to remind installation commanders at all levels within the USNORTHCOM area of responsibility to ensure increased vigilance and safeguarding of all DOD personnel, installations and facilities," a defense officials said. "This change, in addition to random drills or exercises, is a mean to ensure that we effectively execute our force protection mission."
The official said Thursday's comments by FBI Director James Comey about the ISIS threat to the U.S. homeland were taken into consideration by Gortney in raising the force protection condition.
"We share the same concern about the potential threat posed by homegrown violent extremists, as discussed publicly by Director Comey and others. While our FPCON change is not tied to a specific, credible threat, recent events have led us to recognize the need to take prudent steps to ensure our FPCON measures can be increased quickly and unpredictably at the macro level, just as they routinely vary at the micro level on individual installations."
The official stressed, "This FPCON change is not tied to any specific threat, but one of the ways we ensure the force protection of our service members and their families."
In North Carolina, Fort Bragg officials would not go into detail about possible security changes.
Camp Lejeune officials warned the overnight threat level change could mean longer waits and delays at base gates, most likely due to increased vehicle and ID checks.
They also reminded personnel and dependents to remain vigilant, and not hesitate calling their Eagle Eyes hotline or 911 if they see suspicious activity.
Definitions of the military's force protection conditions are available on official military websites.
FPCON NORMAL: This condition applies when a general global threat of possible terrorist activity exists and warrants a routine security posture.
FPCON ALPHA: This condition applies when there is an increased general threat of possible terrorist activity against personnel or facilities.
FPCON BRAVO: This condition applies when an increased or more predictable threat of terrorist activity exists.
FPCON CHARLIE: This condition applies when an incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating some form of terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities is likely.
FPCON DELTA: Applies in the immediate area where a terrorist attack has occurred or when intelligence has been received that terrorist action against a specific location or person is imminent.
