Charlie alert: US bases in Europe prepare for possible terrorist attack

In recent hours, the US has decided to increase security measures taken at bases in Europe, asking service members to be more vigilant and maintain a lower profile due to a combination of threats occurring across the region. In a statement released on Sunday, 30 June, US European Command stated that a "variety of factors play into the security of the US military community abroad". Hence the increase in the threat level from 'Bravo' to 'Charlie'. This was confirmed by US officials to CNN, explaining that such an alert has not been seen for nearly a decade and is indicative of an active and concrete threat of a possible terrorist attack against the base itself and its military.

The US military presence on Italian soil

The news also concerns Italy. Telecommunication and radar stations, weapons depots, commands of various ranks, land, naval and air bases: in fact, the US military presence on Italian territory is extensive and diversified. The main American installations currently present in Italy are Camp Ederle, in Vicenza, home to the 173rd Airborne Brigade and the United States Army Africa (Usaraf); Aviano , in Friuli Venezia Giulia (which the US shares with the Italian Air Force), where USAF F-16 fighter jets are stationed and where B-61 nuclear bombs (part of NATO's deterrence device) are also stored, and the Naval Support Acvitity in Naples, home to the US Navy's Sixth Fleet. US B-61s are also stored at the Ghedi base. Between the latter and Aviano there should be about sixty available. Then there is Sigonella , which houses the US Naval Air Station Sigonella and is also used for NATO operations: it is home to the 'Alliance Ground Surveillance Command'. Among the main bases with a US presence also Camp Darby, in the municipality of Pisa: owned by the Italian Army, US military units are stationed and operate here. The base was reorganised as a satellite site of the United States Army Garrison, which has its headquarters in Vicenza, Italy, and renamed Darby Military Community (DMC) on 3 October 2015, which includes Camp Darby itself, the Livorno depot and the United States Army's Pisa ammunition depot.

According to two US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the choice of the US is the result of a combination of events taking place in Europe, including elections in France and the UK, the upcoming Olympics and other major sporting events, and the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza. The same sources clarified that they are not aware of any specific threat.

The Charlie protection level is the second highest for service members and is instituted 'when an incident occurs or information is received indicating that some form of terrorist action or targeting of personnel or facilities is likely'. Raising the threat level to Charlie means that additional security measures must be taken at US military installations, but it is up to the discretion of each commander to determine what those measures are. It also means that service members and their families living in each community should be more aware of their surroundings and keep a lower profile, one of the officers said.