NATO has raised the security level at its air base in the western German town of Geilenkirchen to the second-highest level, Charlie, following intelligence reports of a potential threat.
The security level for NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen was raised on Thursday in response to an undisclosed threat and remained in effect on Friday.
As a precautionary measure, all employees who are not needed for the operation of the base north of Aachen have been sent home, according to base spokesman Christian Brett.
Flight operations from the base are continuing as planned in the meantime, he said.
NATO has stationed 14 AWACS aircraft at the base. There are two to three AWACS flights per day from Monday to Friday.
Brett said the decision to raise the security level on Thursday evening was based on intelligence information indicating a potential threat but declined to provide any further information about the nature or circumstances surrounding the increased security.
