WIESBADEN, Germany -- Spring is here and summer is fast approaching, bringing great weather and an abundance of host country seasonal fests and celebrations.
We all experience a sense of excitement and enjoyment when attending these events, but we must learn to strike a good balance between relaxing while we enjoy Europe and maintaining vigilance to help us do so safely.
Europe is facing a significant and persistent threat from individuals and small groups directed or inspired by terrorist organizations. Terrorist activity can occur without warning and you could rapidly find yourself in a dangerous situation.
Your goal is to avoid these situations by conducting thorough travel planning, making prudent decisions, and implementing simple measures to reduce risk. However, if something does occur, you are better able to respond if you have thought about potential situations and how you should react ahead of time.
To assist your planning, visit U.S. Army Europe's Travel Safe website at http://www.eur.army.mil/travelsafe/. There you can also download a guide for protective measures designed for your family, or download a copy at http://www.eur.army.mil/travelsafe/FamilyMemberProtectiveMeasures_Guide.pdf.
This guide includes tips such as:
--Prior to travel, use the internet and mapping functions to research destinations and the current security environment. Identify potential safe havens such as police stations and hospitals in the event security conditions deteriorate or you find yourself in need of medical assistance during your trip.
--Avoid locations that offer uncontrolled entry to oversized vehicles, and stay away from the perimeter of pedestrian zones where trucks can easily gain access - remember Nice, France; the Berlin, Christmas Market; and Stockholm, Sweden.
--Pre-program local law enforcement and embassy telephone numbers and addresses in your phone in case you find yourself in need of assistance.
--Always have an escape plan in the event you find yourself in a bad situation.
--Establish alternative methods to contact family, friends and unit personnel.
--Discuss security plans with your family and other travelers.
--Complete the mandatory enrollment in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program before all travel at https://step.state.gov/step/.
--Download local country specific smart phone applications (non-DOD) such as Germany's NINA and KATWARN, or France's SAIP.
Due to the potential consequences of terrorist attacks, U.S. Army Europe regularly publishes vigilance messages and threat warnings.
To ensure these messages reach the greatest number of personnel possible, U.S. Army Europe disseminates this information through official messages and in command information channels as well as via email, the AtHoc Life and Safety System, and on social media.
At times the reports may seem incomplete or contain non-specific information, but they do serve as general reminders and highlight the fact that we don't usually know exactly when or where the next terrorist attack will occur.
To help U.S. Army Europe and our host nation allies and partners keep everyone safe, anyone witnessing suspicious behavior should report it using iReport, a theater-wide reporting system for Soldiers, civilians, contractors and family members in Europe. The system is available online at http://www.eur.army.mil/iReport/ and as a mobile app.
To report an imminent threat or crime in progress, please immediately contact the military police office by dialing DSN 114, or reach host-nation law enforcement by dialing commercial in Germany or Netherlands: 112; in Italy: 112 or 118; or in Belgium: 112 or 101.
Social Sharing