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Force protection conditions increased worldwide

US Marine Corps News

5/6/2011
By Sgt. Heather Brewer, Marine Corps Bases Japan

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP BUTLER, Okinawa, Japan -- Military installations worldwide were directed to increase force protection conditions from ALPHA to BRAVO this week in light of recent events.

The Department of Defense FPCON system consists of five progressive levels of increasing antiterrorism protective measures: NORMAL, ALPHA, BRAVO, CHARLIE and DELTA, said Timothy J. Morello, mission assurance director for Marine Corps Bases Japan.

“FPCON BRAVO applies when an increased or more predictable threat of terrorist activity exists and each camp and station will have site-specific FPCON measures based upon site-specific needs,” said Morello. “For example, certain camps have task-critical assets that support important missions and need to be protected, (while) other camps have large populations of personnel that also need to be protected. The site-specific FPCON measures aboard the respective camps and stations will reflect those needs.”

For law enforcement on Camp Foster, changes to the FPCON means an increase in security personnel and procedures, according to Staff Sgt. Sean L. Demoe, watch commander for the provost marshal’s office on Camp Foster.

“During a higher FPCON, we increase the number of auxiliary security forces from camp to camp,” said Demoe. “We will also increase the frequency of our random antiterrorism measures, like personnel and vehicle inspections.”

While most measures are executed behind the scenes, those attempting to enter military bases during higher FPCONs may experience delays and increased traffic as security forces implement necessary procedures.

“Most FPCON measures will be somewhat transparent to most personnel,” said Morello. “Other measures may cause some inconvenience in the form of delays. In all cases, every effort is made to ensure operational capabilities are not affected.”

To decrease delays, personnel should always have identification ready before reaching the gate, said Demoe.

“Everyone coming through the gate should always be ready to hand their identification to the sentry right away,” said Demoe. “Other documentation, like driver’s licenses and vehicle information, should be kept somewhere easily accessible by the driver.”

In some cases, traffic flow outside of military installations may also be affected.

“Due to our proximity to local roads, there may be some traffic that stacks out onto (them),” said Morello. “People can help… by remaining patient and complying with directions from security forces.”

During these times of added security measures, everyone should bear in mind that threat levels are constantly monitored and the FPCON is changed only as needed to ensure the safety of installation personnel and families.

“The best thing all personnel can do is to comply with security force directions in every instance,” said Morello. “In all cases, people need to remember that in the interest of everyone’s safety these measures are being implemented.”

Although the traffic delays and other increased security measures may be an inconvenience, a posture of readiness is paramount, according to Morello.

“Safety and security (are) never convenient. Much like a natural disaster, a terrorist attack will most likely occur with little to no warning and is typically very devastating,” said Morello. “Our efforts are focused (on) detecting, deterring, delaying and ultimately defending against these types of potential attacks. The posture we project to a potential terrorist is very important.”