The Pentagon announced Friday morning that the security levels at all US military bases, going from Force Protection Condition (FPCON) “Alpha” to FPCON “Bravo”. That bump is being seen, to some degree, at all military installations in Texas.
Fort Hood, the Army’s largest installation in the world, was very direct: “We don’t discuss security procedures, period.”
Chris Haug of the base did go on to tell Breitbart Texas “It’s a heightened awareness, but the safety of the families and personnel are the top priority. We take appropriate measures.”
The alert was sent out by Northern Command (NorthCom) which is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Co at Peterson AFB. They are responsible for the direct defense of North America and all military bases. They did not cite a specific or direct threat to any military base in the continental U.S. or overseas.
At Dyess Air Force Base near Abilene, home of B-1 bombers and C-130 transports, the immediate indication was a 100% security check of everyone coming on base, showing a military I.D. or driver’s license, and if necessary receiving a pass for civilian vehicles. Dyess AFB Public Affairs Superintendent, Master Sergeant Robert Wilson, said that “We don’t go into specifics, but both military and civilian security forces are keyed into increased force protection”
“Force protection conditions describe the measures used to protect military facilities and personnel,” Wilson explained. “Whereas FPCON Alpha indicates an increased general threat of possible terrorist activity against personnel or facilities, the nature and extent of which are unpredictable, FPCON Bravo is implemented when an increased or more predictable threat of terrorist activity exists.”
“However, this FPCON change is not tied to any specific threat, but is one of the ways we protect our service members, their families, our assets, resources and infrastructure – the intent of this directive is to ensure we can effectively execute our force protection mission,” he concluded. “Actions of this nature can be expected to be the new norm; through this effort, we will produce a discernible element of unpredictability in our security posture and procedures.”
At the largest Navy base in the state, Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, Public Affairs Director Fifi Kieschnick told Breitbart Texas “We take random measures, and NorthCom raised the alert status with an abundance of caution, but they wanted it implemented immediately.”
This increased security will also apply at NAS Kingsville, Laughlin AFB – Del Rio, Lackland AFB – San Antonio, Randolph AFB – San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston- San Antonio, Joint Reserve Base-Fort Worth, Sheppard AFB-Wichita Falls, Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo , Fort Bliss-El Paso and Red River Army Depot – Texarkana. Heightened levels should also be expected at Camp Mabry in Austin and at National Guard and Army Reserve Centers especially on drill weekends.
This writer’s experience with other episodes of increased security levels at bases include:
- 100% I.D. checks at all gates at all times.
- Some gates may go to limited hours of operation.
- Random stops and searches at gates.
- More roving patrols on base perimeter.
- Security units stationed adjacent to critical buildings or commands.
Rob Milford is a news contributor for Breitbart Texas. Follow him on Facebook.
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