{"id":57232,"date":"2020-01-06T15:46:05","date_gmt":"2020-01-06T15:46:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/01\/06\/us-bases-on-heightened-security-alert-following-soleimani-killing\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T10:09:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T10:09:51","slug":"us-bases-on-heightened-security-alert-following-soleimani-killing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2020\/01\/06\/us-bases-on-heightened-security-alert-following-soleimani-killing\/","title":{"rendered":"US bases on heightened security alert following Soleimani killing"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Iran’s top intelligence and security commander was killed in a drone strike on the orders of President Trump, as tensions escalated between the U.S and Iran.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

Troops heading to work on Monday morning experienced longer-than-normal wait times at base gates as installations shore up security following strikes and heated rhetoric<\/a> between the U.S. and Iran over the past week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani<\/a> in Iraq<\/a> on Jan. 2, military leadership is preparing for retaliation both abroad and at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile we will not discuss specifics, U.S. Northern Command is implementing additional force protection condition measures to increase security and awareness for all installations in the U.S. NORTHCOM area of responsibility,\u201d according to a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, began 100-percent identification checks on Saturday, according to a Facebook post. The base houses U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, Special Operations Command Central and Marine Forces Central Command among other base tenants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on individual base commanders\u2019 policies, some installations usually allow cars to pass through entry gates with checking only one occupant\u2019s ID, assuming that person is vouching for any other passengers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new policy will require checks for all, in addition to standard screening if no one in the car has a common access card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of Monday morning, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Fort Carson, Colorado, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Fort Meade, Maryland, had all posted to their Facebook accounts advising personnel that waits would be longer than normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Higher alert <\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bases have also announced upgrades of their force protection condition from \u201cAlpha” to \u201cBravo,” which indicates \u201can increased or more predictable threat of terrorist activity exists.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t