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U nited States Action |
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Threatcon
February 7, 2003 - believed US military moving toward Threatcon Bravo
If the military goes to Bravo alert, as is
expected, it will put in place several measures to increase air defenses across the
country, the officials said.
Those measures would include:
• Increasing air defenses for ground bases with vehicle-mounted anti-aircraft missiles
• Putting more fighters and air bases on alert for combat air patrols
• Increasing the scrutiny of radar data
Individual base commanders would tailor security measures at each site.
The military had used the word "threatcon," for threat condition, to describe its level of security. In the wake of the September 11 attacks, that was changed to "force protection condition," considered more accurate because the condition describes the readiness of U.S. forces rather than the nature of a threat, because intelligence about a threat is often ambiguous.
Building Circular
No Date: Expiration:
WHS 97-01 October 5, 1996 Indefinite
SUBJECT: THREATCON (Threat Condition) Information at Pentagon Entrances.
In order to provide building occupants with timely information regarding the THREATCON
level at the Pentagon, the Defense Protective Service (DPS) will be placing THREATCON
level information on the police desks at all Pentagon building entrances. THREATCON is a
DoD process that sets the level for a terrorist threat condition (as described below) at
a given location (in this case the Pentagon) and is based on existing intelligence and
other information. The entrance signs are in addition to the telephonic notification of
THREATCON levels by DPS to building security agencies. These entrance signs will allow
building occupants to know the threat condition level at the Pentagon as soon as they
enter the building.
The following is a listing of the THREATCON level information that will be posted at the
entrances each day in accordance with the level for the day:
THREATCON NORMAL - No threat of terrorist activity is present.
THREATCON ALPHA - There is a general threat of possible terrorist
activity against installations, building locations, and/or personnel, the nature and
extent of which are unpredictable.
THREATCON BRAVO - There is an increased and more predictable threat of
terrorist activity even though no particular target has been identified.
THREATCON CHARLIE - An incident has occurred or intelligence has been
received indicating that some form of terrorist action is imminent.
THREATCON DELTA - A terrorist attack has occurred or intelligence has
been received that action against a specific location is likely.
If the THREATCON level is changed (either higher or lower), the changed level will be
posted immediately upon notification. Building occupants with questions regarding
THREATCON and how it affects them should check with their agency security officer.
The THREATCON level for the Pentagon Reservation is set by the Chief of DPS and is
coordinated with other DoD agencies such as MDW, NDW, and AFDW.
L. W. Freeman, Director
Real Estate and Facilities