NATO raises security level at German air base due to potential threat

NATO has raised the security level at its air base in the western German town of Geilenkirchen to the second-highest level, Charlie, following intelligence reports of a potential threat.

As a precautionary measure, all employees who are not needed for the operation of the base have been sent home, according to NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen spokesman Christian Brett.

"It's pretty empty here," he said on Friday.

Flight operations are continuing as planned, he said.

Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft take off and land five days a week at the air base located along the German border with the Netherlands and close to Belgium.

NATO has stationed 14 AWACS aircraft at the base. There are two to three AWACS flights per day from Monday to Friday.

Brett said the decision to raise the security level on Thursday evening was based on intelligence information indicating a potential threat but declined to provide any further information about the nature or circumstances surrounding the increased security.

He did, however, reject speculation about possible drone overflights at the air base: "That's absurd."

Flying over the base is prohibited for unauthorized aircraft and the airspace is closely monitored. "Nothing has flown over here," Brett said.

In NATO terms, security level Charlie means that there has been an incident or that there is evidence suggesting a high likelihood of terrorist action against the alliance.

The spokesman said that there was no cause for concern and it was purely a precautionary measure to ensure the continuity of critical operations. He added, however, that such a threat level was unusual and hadn't happened at the Geilenkirchen base in years.

According to Brett, around 1,600 people work at the base, but a significant number of staff are currently away on holidays. Around half of the remaining employees are now at home due to the warning level, although many are still working.

The police confirmed their presence, but did not provide any further details, including the number of officers. A dpa reporter observed police cars on the premises. The security level "C" was displayed on electronic displays and boards at the entrance to the base.

The AWACS aircraft are converted Boeing 707 airliners with a mushroom-shaped radar structure. They can locate and identify other aircraft at a distance of more than 400 kilometres and convey this information to all others in the airspace with similar equipment, meaning they can act as airborne combat control centres.