Security alert level lowered again at NATO air base in Germany

The security alert level for the NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen in western Germany has been lowered again on Friday, less than 24 hours after authorities tightened security at the base following intelligence reports of a potential threat.

The security alert level at the air base had been raised to Charlie - the second-highest level - on Thursday as a precaution, but was lowered back to the Bravo+ level on Friday afternoon, according to a spokesman for the air base.

That means that security precautions at the airfield have returned to the same level that has been in place since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The air base spokesman said only that the decision to raise the security level on Thursday evening was based on intelligence information indicating a potential threat.

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.

He again 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.

As a precautionary measure, many of the 1,600 employees at the base were sent home during the heightened alert, but flight operations at the base were not interrupted, 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.

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.

German police confirmed that they were coordinating security measures with the international military police stationed at the airfield as well as German national security authorities, but declined to provide more information about the response.

About a week ago, German military bases went on heightened alert after damaged fences near drinking water supplies close to two facilities raised concerns about potential sabotage.

However, those concerns were dismissed and an all-clear was given after an investigation by police and security services found no evidence of problems.

There is no indication that the heightened alert at Geilenkirchen is related to the previous incidents at German bases.

Security sources told dpa that suspicious observations were also made in Geilenkirchen, and that someone in the vicinity of the airport has since been taken into custody for questioning.

The sources said suspicions against the detained person had not been confirmed.