The NATO airbase in Geilenkirchen, Germany, remained at high alert on Friday after security was raised overnight “based on intelligence information indicating a potential threat,” Donny Demmers, a spokesman for the NATO airbase, said.
Adding that the security situation was being continuously monitored, Demmers said:
“At the moment we are still at alert state Charlie.”
The Charlie alert is used at NATO bases when there is an incident or intelligence indicating the likelihood of terrorist activity or an attack on personnel or facilities.
The spokesman added that the airbase decided on Thursday to increase security based on intelligence information indicating a potential threat. He said:
“All non-mission essential personnel have been sent home as a precautionary measure. The safety of our staff is a top priority. Our critical operations will continue as planned.”
The military alliance’s AWACS surveillance aircraft are stationed at the Geilenkirchen base near the western city of Aachen. The multinational unit provides air and sea surveillance and can be used as a flying command centre in combat aircraft operations.
