Two German Airbases to ThreatCon Charlie (Iraqi threat)

deutsche presse agentur (via Expatica) ^ | 4 May, 2004 | dpa

[12B]

BERLIN - Two German military airfields were on high alert Tuesday after a police tip-off that they could be under threat.

A Defence Ministry spokesman in Berlin said the alerts were in force for the periods 3 to 9 May and 24 to 30 May, but declined to say what the threat was or why it was greatest at those times.

A military source said federal police investigating Iraqi nationals had communicated a terrorist bomb warning after reading documents in the course of an inquiry. The spokesman declined comment on this.

[12B]

Not found in English language reports is original dpa story that clues to a possible attack were discovered among Iraqi Secret Service papers which were uncovered during an investigation of Iraqi nationals by the German Federal Police. Have not yet figured out how to say "Doh!" in German.

[An.American.Expatriate]

Have not yet figured out how to say "Doh!" in German.

No literal translation, use the flat of your palm and strike your forehead!

[CatoRenasci]

can you post the url to the german original, please?

[johnfrink]

Is this airbases belong to the German military, or US bases in Germany? I could not tell from the article.

[12B]

Link to AOL Deutschland

[12B]

I believe they are both Luftwaffe training bases.

[AgentEcho]

Buechel has some nukes I believe...

[aculeus]

This from Deutsche Welle's English site

http://www.dw-world.de/english/0,3367,1432_A_1189472_1_A,00.html


Germany Raises Security Alert At Air Bases

Germany has raised its security alert at two air force bases after receiving indications of possible terrorist attacks, a defense ministry spokesman said on Tuesday. The bases include the air training center at Rhein and the fighter-bomber squadron at Büchel -- which has around 1,700 troops. Both are located near Germany's western border. The alert status at both had been raised to "Charlie", the second-highest of four security levels in the German armed forces. The heightened security status will be in force this week and the last week of May. The spokesman refused to give any details of the origin of the possible attacks but added that the heightened security alert meant increased checks at the entrance to the bases and tighter protection. "It's a purely precautionary measure," he said.

[BMCDA]

Is this airbases belong to the German military, or US bases in Germany? I could not tell from the article.

Rheine and Buechel are both German Air Bases. In Buechel AB there are also two Munitions Support Squadrons (the 817th and the 852nd IIRC).

[freeperfromnj]

ABC News also had a link to a Reuters article.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1124883/posts?page=2085#2085

[Dialup Llama]

>Is this airbases belong to the German military, or US bases in Germany?

All these airbases are belong to US.

[Sender]

Move all zig! Make your time.

[Ichneumon]

[Is this airbases belong to the German military, or US bases in Germany?]

All these airbases are belong to US.

Funniest use of that phrase *ever*...

[truth_seeker]

In the overall context, it would be good if al Qaeda hit the Germans, French, Belgians, and others that didn't side with the US on Iraq.

That way those countries would be set free of the insane notion, that they will avoid the muslim terror.

The recent attack on westerners at Yanbu may provoke the departure of the technical resources, to keep the industry going.

If that occurs, the world will get pinched for oil. Saudi Arabia will need dealing with, lest it fall into terrorist hands (even though they couldn't keep the industry going).

After five decades of western education, the arabs still cannot run the industry on their own.

So back to the starting topic: The sooner the core europeans realize this IS a WW, the better--for the sake of their home security and their oil supplies.

[jriemer]

In the overall context, it would be good if al Qaeda hit the Germans, French, Belgians, and others that didn't side with the US on Iraq.

I think that Germany, if attacked by al-Qaeda, would follow the "Madrid model" and blame the US for making the world a more dangerous place. Remember, they have troops supporting our efforts in Afghanistan and they could publically pull those out in an similar act of cowardice and short-sightedness.

[redhead]

"Have not yet figured out how to say "Doh!" in German. No literal translation, use the flat of your palm and strike your forehead!"

The old standby, "ACH! DU LIEBER!!" works pretty good...

[antiRepublicrat]

I think that Germany, if attacked by al-Qaeda, would follow the "Madrid model" and blame the US for making the world a more dangerous place.

Then let's hope it happens after Schroeder and the SPD/Green coalition is kicked out at the next elections and a more sane CDU or CDU/FDP coalition is in charge.

[intenseracer]

I knew that was coming, just wasnt sure how long it would take, but what about the strozack?

[redhead]

"I knew that was coming, just wasnt sure how long it would take, but what about the strozack?"

Ja, dat kommes mit der Wienerschnitzel...

[Tommyjo]

"In the overall context, it would be good if al Qaeda hit the Germans, French, Belgians, and others that didn't side with the US on Iraq.

That way those countries would be set free of the insane notion, that they will avoid the muslim terror. "

Yes, but many of those countries fought in Afghanistan against Al Q thus making them a target in their eyes. Europe was just as much a target for Islamic terrorists as was the US. Prior to 9/11 an Al Q plot to bomb a market place was foiled and the cell arrested.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/992114/posts

http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,12780,1143891,00.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/alqaida/story/0,12469,1120823,00.html

Many attack have been prevented in Europe and hopefully they will continue to be so.