NATO Airbase in Germany raises security level due to ‘potential threat

A NATO airbase in Germany has raised its security level due to “a potential threat.” All non-mission essential staff have been sent home from the base in Geilenkirchen in the west of the country, according to a spokesperson. “The safety of our staff is our top priority,” they said in a post on X. “Operations continue as planned.” The threat level has been raised to Charlie, the second highest of four alert levels. It means “an incident has occurred or intelligence has been received indicating that some form of terrorist action against NATO organizations or personnel is highly likely,” according to Reuters. The base, which houses NATO’s fleet of Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) surveillance planes, “is open to continue critical operations, that includes our scheduled flights,” a NATO spokesperson confirmed to Sky News. German news agency DPA said a reporter saw police cars in the grounds of the airbase but police have not released any further information.