According to Stars and Stripes, multiple U.S. military-connected bases have heightened their state of alert to “Charlie” as a precautionary measure until further notice. Bases such as European Command headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, and the Aviano Air Base in Italy have raised their threat levels to Charlie.
The U.S. Army defines the Charlie level as being applicable when there is an incident or intelligence indicating a likelihood of terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities. This level mandates 100% ID card checks for all individuals entering, exiting, or moving within the bases.
The next level above Charlie is “Delta,” which signifies that an attack has occurred in the area. European Command has not provided specific details on protection levels, but they mentioned that multiple factors are considered for the safety of the U.S. military community.
CNN reported that this heightened threat level has not been seen in European bases for at least a decade. The ongoing European Soccer championships in Germany and the upcoming Olympics in Paris have also contributed to increased security measures due to the large crowds and associated risks.
An article from Scripps News highlighted the Biden administration’s decision to pardon individuals convicted of gay sex under old military laws, a significant step towards inclusivity and justice within the military community.
European Central Command emphasized the continuous assessment of various factors influencing the safety of the U.S. military community abroad. Additional safety measures are often implemented to ensure the well-being of service members.