Posted on 09/12/2001 11:30:43 PM PDT by Ronin
U.S. bases in Pacific to remain
on highest state of military alert
Stars and Stripes U.S. military bases in the Pacific continued to clamp down on security Wednesday.
Force Protection Condition Delta — the highest state of military alert — will remain in effect "for as long as there’s an imminent threat out there, whether that is hours, days or weeks," said Air Force Capt. Michael Braibish, spokesman from Yokota Air Base, Japan.
"That will be determined by intelligence sources."
Most non-mission essential services were shut down from Misawa to Seoul, and only mission-essential personnel were asked to report to work.
Department of Defense Dependent Schools in the Pacific also were closed.
Base residents should expect significant delays entering military facilities, said Marine Corps Master Sgt. Leah Gonzalez, chief of media for U.S. Forces Japan.
"They need to ensure they have all proper identification when they approach base," she said.
Mail service in the Pacific will probably be delayed at least two to three days due to Typhoon Danas and the terrorist attacks, said John Stapleton, Pacific Air Forces postal finance officer.
"As of right now, all international flights to and from the States have been canceled," he said, "and all of our mail moves via commerical airlines."
Heavily armed guards, who began appearing around midnight Tuesday, continued monitoring open entry points. Other guards were posted in front of key areas on bases. At Yokota, some gate guards wore camouflage flak jackets to protect against shrapnel.
Tightened security around the largest U.S. Army Post in Seoul caused massive traffic snarls and delays Wednesday morning.
But U.S. Forces Korea officials said U.S. personnel are not at risk.
"At this time, we do not have a specific threat against a USFK base or people," said Stephen Oertwig, a USFK spokesman.
Capt. April Dillard, 51st Fighter Wing spokeswoman at Osan and Bob Warner, spokesman for the Army support Group Activity at Camp Humphreys would not comment on security measures being taken at their bases.
Vehicles were not being allowed to enter either base on Wednesday.
In Japan, cars were lined up in front of Misawa Air Base’s main gate, the only one of three gates open at the base.
It took about 20 to 30 minutes to enter the base.
A security forces Humvee truck with a .50-cal. machine gun on a turret was parked on the grass near Sollars Elementary School at Misawa.
Traffic at Yongsan was no better, with motorists stuck in security checks. Only Gates 5, 10 and 52 remained open.
"It’s utter chaos," said Capt. Richard Campbell, a healthcare provider at Yongsan’s medical center. "It’s not good command and control. It’s not that difficult to get enough police officers out to take control of the traffic. I’ve been here for one and a half hours."
Only mission essential personnel were being admitted to Yongsan.
"We’re telling folks to cease all off-installation activities," said Lt. Col. Ben Santos, a USFK spokesman. "If you live off-post, you only go to and from your quarters."
Maj. Gen. Jeff Miller, the USFK deputy chief of staff for operations, made a statement on American Forces Network on Wednesday.
"USFK personnel and family members must cease all off-installations activities, such as all college classes, off-post gatherings and night clubs," he said.
All permanent change of station moves were suspended until further notice.
Other security measures in the Pacific theater included barricades at Camp Zama, Japan, restricting access at the main gate to a single lane. After showing ID cards, motorists were stopped as soldiers looked under vehicles with mirrors on poles; people were then asked to open their hoods, hatches and trunks while soldiers looked inside. Areas normally bustling with traffic were eeriely devoid of cars.
Base officials at Misawa ordered most base workers to remain home on a stand-by basis as a safety precaution.
Announcements aired on AFN said only military and DOD ID card holders would be allowed access to base.
Residents were told to report suspicious activities to security forces at 226-3600 or 226-4358.
The Patriot Express that normally lands at Misawa on Wednesday was delayed until further notice, officials said.
Flags on base flagpoles were lowered to half staff.
Other U.S. Army Japan installations at Sagami General Depot, Kure, and Yokohama North Dock had access restricted to a single gate. Only key and essential personnel were to report to work.
At Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, long lines stretched from the main gate Wednesday morning, which was closed to all incoming vehicle traffic. Pedestrian traffic was highly regulated, as dozens of security guards scrutinized ID cards and inspected all bags.
According to Commander David Wells, a spokesman for U.S. Naval Forces Japan, threat condition "Delta" meant vehicles could leave the base, but not enter. Several Japanese television news crews and one news helicopter recorded the scene outside the main gate, which remained orderly all morning.
Wells declined to say whether any ships from Yokosuka were being put to sea, but many sailors were being recalled.
Officials said the heightened security would stay in effect until otherwise ordered.
"Right now there are no plans for any ship movements, at least not that we have been informed of," Dixon said.
Beefed up security details held watch at the piers where ships were in port, and armed security patrolled such large buildings as the Fleet Recreation Center.
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, was closed to all non-essential personnel, and only the main gate was open Wednesday. Base residents were discouraged from driving private vehicles on base and asked to take the shuttle bus instead.
Col. David Darrah, Iwakuni base commander, said he was equally concerned about security on base as well as in the Japanese communities outside the gate.
"We’re trying to do everything we can to give them peace of mind," he said.
Entry to Sasebo Naval Base also was restricted. All sailors were recalled to their ships, but officials there would not say what that means.
Bases in Hawaii, like the rest of the Pacific theater, are in Threatcon Delta, DOD’s highest state of alert.
According to CINCPAC spokeswoman Maj. Marcella Adams, "Our primary mission right now is to make sure people are safe and the installations are secure."
Reporters Wayne Specht, Jan Childs, Jeremy Kirk, Jennifer Svan, Greg Tyler, Joe Giordono, Beverly Sargeant, Fred Knapp and Heather Paynter contributed to this report
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