For almost a day, the NATO air base in Geilenkirchen near Aachen was subject to the alliance’s second-highest security level. Now people are wondering what the danger was.
Because of a possible threat, the NATO air base in Geilenkirchen near Aachen was at the second highest security level for almost 24 hours. After nothing happened, the security precautions were reduced on Friday afternoon to the level that had previously applied, the so-called Bravo+ level. This was a precautionary measure to minimize the potential risk to personnel, said a spokesperson for the German Press Agency.
As many employees as possible were therefore sent home. According to the information, however, air traffic was not interrupted and continued as normal. The second highest security level, Charlie, which was announced on Thursday evening, means in NATO jargon that an incident has occurred or that there is evidence that some form of terrorist action against the alliance is likely.
Special aircraft are stationed in Geilenkirchen to monitor the airspace in order to identify potential dangers as early as possible. About a week ago, there were fears of sabotage at several Bundeswehr bases, but the all-clear was then given.
What exactly was it about? Everyone is keeping quiet
At NATO headquarters in Brussels, as well as at the air force base, they remained tight-lipped about what danger the airfield might have been in. A base spokesman dismissed speculation about drone overflights as “absurd”: “Nothing flew over here.” The Cologne police took over the investigation. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office is not investigating the case.
A dpa reporter on site observed police cars on the grounds of the air force base and in the immediate vicinity. Electronic displays and signs at the entrance to the site showed security level C: “Security Alert State C”. Vehicles driving onto the site were checked, but this is usually the case. The noise of aircraft could also be heard. At some point, the public order office also appeared.
Location of the early warning system Awacs
NATO has stationed the AWACS early warning system in Geilenkirchen. 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.
According to the spokesman, around 1,600 people work at the NATO airfield, although significantly fewer are currently employed because of the holidays. Around half of the employees were no longer on site due to the security precautions. Many worked from home.
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.
Suspicious observations were also made in Geilenkirchen. According to information from security circles, someone in the vicinity of the airport was taken into custody for questioning, but the suspicion against the person was not substantiated.
Source: Stern
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