Installations in Europe implement additional Force Protection measures

By U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria Public AffairsJanuary 22, 2015

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GRAFENWOEHR, Germany -- Following the recent terrorist attack in France and a foiled plot in Belgium, U.S. military installations in Europe are implementing additional Force Protection measures. Steps are being taken in U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria -- Rose Barracks, Tower Barracks, Hohenfels and Garmisch -- to further protect service members, civilians and families.

We are currently under Force Protection Condition Bravo with some additional force protection measures implemented across our installations. We appreciate your patience and understanding as these steps may cause delays to installation access and services. Also, the timeline for these actions are expected to be lengthy.

During this time of heightened vigilance, Col. Mark Colbrook, commander of USAG Bavaria, encourages everyone to take extra steps in helping to provide for the safety of our community members.

Practice these personal protective measures:

• Avoid large public gatherings such as demonstrations or rallies. If you encounter such gatherings, leave the area as quickly as possible.

• Keep a low profile and try to "blend in" to the local environment; avoid wearing clothing items that clearly indicate that you are a U.S. citizen.

• Instruct family members not to provide strangers with information about you or your family.

• Know where your family members are and have a plan to stay in touch.

• Do not leave children unattended.

• Check the State Department travel advisory site before traveling to other countries: http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english.html

• Ensure a friend or co-worker knows your travel plans.

• Keep a list of emergency numbers at each of your home phones and programmed in to your mobile phones.

• Know where the nearest police station is to your home or on your work or travel route.

• Avoid wearing or display of items that clearly indicate that you are a U.S. citizen.

• Report any suspicious activity to the garrison MP desk or your local police.

Additionally, please be aware of:

• Someone observing, photographing, drawing or measuring key buildings in the community.

• Unattended briefcases, suitcases, backpacks or packages.

• A car or truck left in a no-parking zone in front of an important building.

• Strangers in secure areas where they are not supposed to be.

Diligence in social media is an essential part of Force Protection. Please take these steps to ensure that information placed online doesn't make you or the community vulnerable:

• Assume the whole world will see what you what you post and take appropriate cautions.

• Apply the same operational security considerations to social media interaction that you would use elsewhere.

• Limit who can view social media sites, but don't trust settings alone to keep you safe.

• Don't post home or work addresses or phone numbers.

• Be aware that the content of seemingly innocuous posts can be "added up" to give away sensitive information.

• Avoid citing government or military affiliation.

• Be aware that posting detailed information about things such as departure times to or from work or someone's location may place people at risk.

• Don't "geotag" your posts or allow applications to pinpoint your location.

• Don't speculate on the threat and force protection posture in public, you may be feeding the rumor mill.

Related Links:

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