US military bases in Germany and Italy have recently raised their security alert levels to the second-highest level, following perceived threats of terrorist attacks. Several facilities belonging to the US Army, including those in Romania and Bulgaria, Aviano military airport in Italy, and other Italian bases, have also been placed on Charlie alert level. This is the highest security alert level seen in at least a decade according to a US military official stationed in Europe.
The Charlie level indicates a high risk of terrorist threats or attacks targeting personnel and facilities. In response, pilots at Spangdahlem base have been instructed to only wear plain clothes when leaving the barracks. The US European Command stated that they are closely monitoring various factors that affect the safety of the US military community abroad and implementing additional measures to ensure personnel safety.
There have been warnings of potential terrorist threats in Europe, with ISIS-K being one of the organizations cited as targeting US and Western interests in the region. In April, German authorities arrested two suspects for planning to sabotage a US base in Bayreuth. The heightened security alert levels come amid concerns about increased foreign terrorist threats since conflicts like the Israel-Hamas war.