NORTHCOM Raises Force Protection Levels

US Northern Command boss Admiral Bill Gortney raised the force protection condition level for all Defense Department bases and activities from alpha to bravo late on May 7, NORTHCOM spokeswoman Army Major Beth Smith told Air Force Magazine. The move came the same day FBI Director James Comey warned that thousands of ISIS sympathizers could be living inside the United States.

Smith said the increase in threat level was not “tied to any specific threat,” though she acknowledged Comey’s announcement played a role in Gortney’s decision. “Due to the current conditions our commander thought it was prudent to raise the threat condition level to remind [troops] to stay vigilant,” said Smith. There are five force protection conditions—normal, alpha, bravo, charlie, and delta. Alpha has been the baseline since the September 11 terrorist attacks. Bravo means there is an “increased or more predictable threat of terrorist activity,” said Smith.

Though most DOD installations were at alpha before the threat level was raised, individual commanders have the authority to implement additional security measures. The Pentagon was doing so “for some time,” said Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Tom Crosson. The 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks was the last time the threat level was raised. It remained at bravo from September 4-14, 2011. Smith could not say how long the threat levels would remain raised this time, citing operational security concerns.

The United States has four threat levels above “normal” for military installations. Here’s an explanation of each level:

FPCON ALPHA: (Threat level low) This condition applies when there is a general threat of possible terrorist activity against personnel and facilities, the nature and extent of which are unpredictable, and circumstances do not justify full implementation of PFCON BRAVO measures. However, it may be necessary to implement certain measures from higher PFCONs resulting from intelligence received or as a deterrent. The measures in thisPFCON must be capable of being maintained indefinitely.

FPCON BRAVO: (Threat level medium) This condition applies when an increased and more predictable threat of terrorist activity exists. The measures in this FPCON must be capable of being maintained for weeks without causing undue hardship, affecting operational capability, and aggravating relations with local authorities.

PFCON CHARLIE: (Threat level high) This condition applies when an incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating some form of terrorist action against personnel and facilities is imminent. Implementation of measures in thisPFCON for more than a short period probably will create hardship and affect the peacetime activities of the unit and its personnel.

PFCON DELTA: (Threat level critical) This condition applies in the immediate area where a terrorist attack has occurred or when intelligence has been received that terrorist action against a specific location or person is likely. Normally, this PFCON is declared as a localized condition.