- Alert activated at NATO military base in North Rhine-Westphalia's airspace
Due to an imminent danger, the base in Geilenkirchen, a NATO air facility close to Aachen, operated under its second-most stringent security protocol for approximately 24 hours. Following the lack of any eventual occurrence, the security parameters were scaled back to their initial level, described as Bravo+, at around 4 PM on Friday. This precautionary move aimed to lessen the risk to personnel, as confirmed by a representative from the German Press Agency.
As many personnel as feasible were ordered to leave. However, the regular aviation tasks proceeded as intended. The implementation of this second-highest security level, Charlie, on Thursday evening, signified the occurrence of an incident or the probable possibility of a terrorist act aimed at the alliance.
The airbase in Geilenkirchen accommodates unique aircraft designed to monitor and detect potential dangers at the earliest opportunity. Around a week prior, sabotage was speculated to have occurred in multiple German military installations; nonetheless, the all-clear was eventually given.
The nature of the threat remained unclear, as both NATO headquarters in Brussels and the airbase refused to provide any comments. Rumors of drone flyovers were ridiculed as "outlandish" by an airbase spokesperson. The Cologne police were entrusted with handling the investigation, while the federal prosecutor's office remained detached.
A journalist present at the scene observed police vehicles stationed on the airbase grounds and in the adjacent environs. Security warnings and signs positioned at the base entrance displayed security level C: "State of Alert C". Vehicles entering the base underwent routine inspections. The presence of aircraft activity could also be heard. Eventually, local authorities joined the scene.
Early Warning Aircraft System AWACS
NATO has situated the Early Warning Aircraft System AWACS in Geilenkirchen. The acronym AWACS stands for "Airborne Warning and Control System" (Airborne Warning and Control System). These aircraft possess a range of 9,250 kilometers and can pinpoint other aircraft approximately 400 kilometers away. They are characterized by a large radar antenna affixed to their rear, resembling a mushroom.
As per the spokesperson, around 1,600 individuals work at the NATO airbase, albeit fewer during the current holiday season. Approximately half of the employees were absent due to security reasons and worked remotely from home.
During the past week, sabotage was imputed to various German military bases, but was subsequently cleared following further investigation. In Cologne, police and state security scrutinized a security incident at the Luftwaffe base waterworks due to water contamination allegations.
Questionable observations also surfaced in Geilenkirchen. According to security sources, someone in the vicinity of the airport was briefly capped for interrogation but was ultimately exonerated from the suspicions.
Despite the heightened security, the AWACS aircraft at The Aachen continued their operations. After the threat subsided, non-essential personnel were allowed to return to the base.
