For almost a day, the NATO base in Geilenkirchen was at the second highest security level. Security circles are now providing indications of the possible threat.
The temporary increase in security at the NATO air base in Geilenkirchen near Aachen was based on intelligence information about a possible threat from a Russian act of sabotage. The German Press Agency learned from German security circles that there had been a serious indication from a foreign intelligence service “of preparatory actions for a probable Russian act of sabotage against the NATO base by using a drone”.
Last week, the second highest security level was in place for almost 24 hours at the NATO base in North Rhine-Westphalia due to a possible threat. After nothing happened, security precautions were scaled back to the level that had previously applied, the so-called Bravo+ level, on Friday afternoon. This was a precautionary measure to minimize the potential risk to personnel, a spokesman explained.
Previously, all non-essential staff had been sent home because of the intelligence tip-off. However, air traffic was not interrupted, but continued as normal. In NATO jargon, the second highest security level, Charlie, means that an incident has occurred or there is evidence that some form of terrorist action against the alliance is likely.
Alert due to terror threat in Geilenkirchen
Special aircraft are stationed in Geilenkirchen, which are currently mainly used to monitor the airspace in the eastern alliance area. With their mushroom-shaped radar structure, they are able to locate and identify other aircraft more than 400 kilometers away. According to the spokesman, around 1,600 people work at the NATO airfield.
According to media reports, US military bases in Germany and other European countries were already on high alert due to the threat of terrorism in July. The Pentagon had declared the second highest security level, Charlie, at the bases, reported the US broadcaster CNN at the time, citing two unnamed government officials. The nature of the alleged threat remained unclear.
Last week, both at NATO headquarters in Brussels and at the air base, they remained tight-lipped about the danger that the airfield might have been in. A base spokesman dismissed speculation about drone overflights as “absurd”. “Nothing flew over here,” he said.
Sabotage feared
Recently, there were fears of sabotage at several Bundeswehr locations. However, after an investigation, 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 might 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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