Posted tagged ‘U. S. Military’

U S Military Raises Threat Level

May 8, 2015

What is Force Protection Condition Level Bravo?
By Daniella Diaz, CNN Digital Producer Updated 11:50 AM ET, Fri May 8, 2015 Via CNN


(Lock and load. – LS)

Washington (CNN)The Department of Defense raised the level of security conditions at U.S. military bases Thursday night to “Bravo,” because of the growing concern of a terrorist threats in the United States.

But what does the “Bravo” level specifically mean?

The Force Protection Condition, or FPCON, is a threat level system that is overseen and decided by the Department of Defense. It has various levels that show security concern in the country. According to the list, the Antiterrorism Program “provides guidance and establishes standards for implementing the levels” in the Department of Defense. Local commanders decide which level is appropriate.

READ: ISIS activity prompts threat level increase at bases

A U.S. Air Force document describes level “Bravo” as when “an increased and more predictable terrorist threat activity exists.”

The document also states that level “Bravo” means there is information that suggests probable violence in the United States, and there must be extra precaution to deter terrorist planning.

Another government document states “Bravo” is a medium threat level that means there is an increased or more predictable threat level of terrorist activity.

The change could mean more checks of vehicles entering military bases and identity checks of all personnel.

The level change comes after FBI Director James Comey made comments about Elton Simpson, one of the two Texas attackers of the Prophet Muhammad exhibit in Garland, Texas who was killed Sunday by a guard when they opened fire.

“I know there are other Elton Simpsons out there,” Comey said, adding that the FBI has hundreds of investigations in the U.S. of possible extremists influenced by known ISIS recruiters.

 

U.S. Navy warships to intercept Iranian weapons shipments in Yemeni waters

April 20, 2015

U.S. Navy warships to intercept Iranian weapons shipments in Yemeni waters, Associated Press via Washington Times, April 20, 2015

U.S. Navy officials say the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt is steaming toward the waters off Yemen and will join other American ships prepared to intercept any Iranian vessels carrying weapons to the Houthi rebels fighting in Yemen.

The U.S. Navy has been beefing up its presence in the Gulf of Aden and the southern Arabian Sea amid reports that a convoy of Iranian ships may be headed toward Yemen to arm the Houthis.

The Houthis are battling government-backed fighters in an effort to take control of the country.

There are about nine U.S. ships in the region, including cruisers and destroyers carrying teams that can board and search other vessels.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ship movement on the record.