The German NATO base in Geilenkirchen remains on the second-highest security alert level, news portal Nau reported on August 23.
Base spokesman Christian Brett said the staff, who were sent home Thursday as a precaution, were not yet there. “It’s pretty empty here” Brett pointed out.
However, flights are continuing as planned and were not disrupted Thursday, Brett said. “Awacs planes continue to take off and land”. From Monday to Friday, two to three AWACS flights are carried out per day (AWACS is an electronic reconnaissance and control system installed in an aircraft and designed for the detection of enemy targets at long range: approx. IA Krasnaya Vesna).
There are no flights on weekends. According to Brett, the basis for raising the alert level is intelligence information indicating a potential threat.
The expert did not provide further details on the circumstances that led to the increased threat level. However, Brett rejected suggestions that drones were flying over the airfield, calling such assumptions absurd.
Flights over the airbase are prohibited for unauthorised aircraft. Drones are factory-configured in such a way that they cannot fly in no-fly zones. In addition, the airspace, like at any airport, is of course carefully controlled.
In NATO jargon, the current Charlie security level means that an incident has occurred or there is evidence of a high probability of terrorist activity against the alliance. According to him, Charlie’s security level is unusual: he has not been seen in Geilenkirchen for many years.
About 1,600 people work at the airport, which is much less now due to the holidays. About half of the employees are at home due to the level of anxiety, some of them are working remotely.
It is worth noting that 14 converted Boeing 707 aircraft are on duty in Geilenkirchen, monitoring the airspace in order to quickly detect potential dangers and warn the alliance in advance.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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