Geilenkirchen: NATO air base lowers security level again

Note: This post has been updated.

All clear at the NATO air base in Geilenkirchen near Aachen: After the security level there was raised to the second highest level on Thursday evening due to a possible threat, it has now been lowered again. A spokesman for the base told the German Press Agency. This means that the security precautions at the airfield are back to the level that has been in place since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.

He said that no information was being provided about the nature of the threat. Previously, it had been said that there had been intelligence information that indicated a danger.

As a precautionary measure, as many employees as possible were sent home. However, flight traffic was reportedly not interrupted.

Increased warning level at base in Geilenkirchen – what we know

In NATO jargon, the short-term security level Charlie means that an incident has occurred or there is evidence that some form of terrorist action against the alliance is very likely. “This is no cause for concern and is purely a precautionary measure to ensure that we can continue our critical operations,” said the air base spokesman. When asked, he did not provide any further details on the circumstances that led to the increase in the alert level.

The police confirmed that an operation was underway. No further details were provided, including the number of officers deployed. A spokesman for the police in Cologne said early Friday morning that there was no further information on the matter at this time.

A reporter from the DPA news agency on site observed police cars on the grounds of the air force base. Security level C was displayed on electronic displays and boards at the entrance to the site.

But since nothing happened on Friday night, the all-clear has been given. A spokesman for the air base believes that normal security measures will be returned during the day and that security level C will be downgraded to B again.

Location of the early warning system Awacs

NATO has stationed the AWACS flying early warning system in Geilenkirchen. 14 converted Boeing 707 aircraft monitor the airspace with the aim of detecting potential dangers at an early stage and giving advance warning to the alliance. The multinational unit provides classic air and sea surveillance and is used as a kind of flying command center in combat aircraft operations.

The unit has taken part in numerous missions, for example in the Balkans and Afghanistan. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, NATO temporarily relocated aircraft to Romania.

Awacs stands for “Airborne Early Warning and Control System”. The machines have a range of 9,250 kilometers and can locate and identify other aircraft more than 400 kilometers away. They also have a large radar device on their backs that resembles a mushroom.

Sabotage feared a week ago

Around a week ago, there were fears of sabotage at several Bundeswehr locations. After an investigation, however, the all-clear was given. For example, the police and state security investigated a security incident at the waterworks of the Cologne-Wahn air force barracks on suspicion that the drinking water may have been contaminated.

What we don’t know

At this point, we can only speculate as to why the security level in Geilenkirchen was ultimately increased and what might be behind it. The police, the Ministry of Defense and NATO have not provided any information on this.

Possible connections: According to media reports, several drones were seen over an industrial site in Brunsbüttel on Thursday. Where they came from and what their destination was is unknown. It is not known whether this is related to the increased security level in Geilenkirchen.

It is also not known whether cases of sabotage at several Bundeswehr locations around a week ago had anything to do with the security level in Geilenkirchen. At that time, however, the all-clear was given after an inspection. For example, the police and state security were investigating a security incident at the waterworks at the Cologne-Wahn air force barracks on suspicion that the drinking water might have been contaminated.

Suspicious observations were also made in Geilenkirchen. According to information from security circles, a person was taken into custody in the vicinity of the airport for questioning, but the suspicion was not confirmed.