The U.S. military has increased the threat level at bases across North America. Officials say the incremental boost will likely mean heightened vigilance and more random bag or vehicle checks.
The baseline threat level went from A to B, although most military installations— including the Pentagon—were already at a slightly higher level of protection than level A. There are four threat levels, A through D.
This increase in threat level comes from a directive issued by U.S. Northern Command to increase security measures. Colonel David Mott of Travis Air Force Base says that, “actions of this nature can be expected to be the new norm.”
Mott added that raising threat levels is a strategic move for military branches because it makes their security status and procedures more unpredictable to outsiders.
For local branches of the military, this alert is not to be taken lightly. “We take this threat seriously, we take our community safety seriously and we let everyone know that those threats exist,” said Dan Gannod who works as a Public Affairs Officer for Army Garrison, Camp Parks Base in Dublin.
Local military bases are increasing their patrols to bolster security. Camp Parks will now see more random checks of vehicles and increased caution with packages and mail coming into the base.
Gannod said that soldiers and their families have been contacted about the threat level increase and encouraged to be extra vigilant.
Local
Army Col. Steve Warren says the increase was not triggered by a specific event. He says it was due to a generally heightened threat environment, which would include the recent terror threat and attempted attack surrounding a provocative cartoon contest in Texas.
According to a statement released by Travis Air Force Base, the military will not discuss how long this increased threat level will remain in place.
