MSNBC says Armed Forces go to Delta -level. What does it really mean?

MSBC (TV) | 1:20 | MSNBC

[epluribus_2]

What does this actually mean? Is it a preplanned 9/11 readiness level or does it mean forces are moving out? Why would MSNBC know about this anyway? Anyone have explanations? (Yes, LLSH)

[mhking]

Does Delta correspond with the Orange alert?

[Dog]

If true....this is big.

[Fred Mertz]

President to address nation at 1315 hrs.

CONDITION ORANGE is in effect... HIGH RISK of terror attacks.

[Keith in Iowa]

Terrorist Threat Conditions

A Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-approved program standardizes the military services' identification of and recommended responses to terrorist threats against U.S. personnel and facilities. This program facilitates interservice coordination and support for antiterrorism activities. Also called THREATCONs. There are four THREATCONs above normal: THREATCON ALPHA
This condition applies when there is a general threat of possible terrorist activity against personnel and facilities, the nature and extent of which are unpredictable, and circumstances do not justify full implementation of THREATCON BRAVO measures. However, it may be necessary to implement certain measures from higher THREATCONS resulting from intelligence received or as a deterrent. The measures in this THREATCON must be capable of being maintained indefinitely.

THREATCON BRAVO
This condition applies when an increased and more predictable threat of terrorist activity exists. The measures in this THREATCON must be capable of being maintained for weeks without causing undue hardship, affecting operational capability, and aggravating relations with local authorities.

THREATCON CHARLIE
This condition applies when an incident occurs or intelligenceis received indicating some form of terrorist action against personnel and facilities is imminent. Implementation of measures in this THREATCON for more than a short period probably will create hardship and affect the peacetime activities of the unit and its personnel.

THREATCON DELTA
This condition applies in the immediate area where a terrorist attack has occurred or when intelligence has been received that terrorist action against a specific location or person is likely. Normally, this THREATCON is declared as a localized condition. See also antiterrorism.

[blam]

Ashcroft and Ridge on Fox now.

[Dog]

ThreatCon ...system..

[Grampa Dave]

Here is the alert/readiness system for our military as posted by Sheeza on another thread:

1. There are five THREATCON levels:

(a) THREATCON NORMAL. Applies when there is no discernible terrorist activity. Under these conditions, only a routine security posture, designed to defeat the criminal threat, is warranted. The minimum THREATCON for U.S. Army commands is NORMAL.

(b) THREATCON ALPHA. Applies when there is a general threat of possible terrorist threat activity against personnel and/or installations, the nature and extent of which is unpredictable, and circumstances do not justify full implementation of THREATCON BRAVO measures. However, it may be necessary to implement certain measures from higher THREATCONs resulting from intelligence received or as a deterrent. Commands must be capable of maintaining THREATCON ALPHA measures indefinitely, with only limited impact on normal operations.

(c) THREATCON BRAVO. Applies when an increased or more predictable terrorist threat exists. Commanders must be capable of maintaining the measures of this THREATCON for several weeks without causing undue hardship to personnel, substantially affecting operational capabilities, or aggravating relations with local authorities and members of the local civilian or host nation community.

(d) THREATCON CHARLIE. Applies when an incident occurs or intelligence indicates some form of terrorist action against personnel and/or facilities is imminent. Implementation of THREATCON CHARLIE measures for more than a short period probably will create hardships for personnel and affect the peacetime activities of units and personnel.

(e) THREATCON DELTA. Implementation applies in the immediate area where a terrorist attack has occurred or when intelligence indicates terrorist action against a specific location is likely. Implementation of THREATCON DELTA normally occurs for only limited periods of time over specific, localized areas. Commands cannot sustain THREATCON DELTA for extended periods without causing significant hardships for personnel and substantial reductions in capability to perform normal peacetime missions.


32 posted on 9/10/02 9:16 AM Pacific by shezza
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]

---

[Dog]

Fred... Bush is to speak when???

[mhking]

So may I presume that all hell is about to break loose somewhere on the planet?

[Fred Mertz]

Sounds like he'll speak in a few minutes, but that first post I received via e-mail from one of my homeland security friends.

[Dog]

Yeppers...

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

I think it means the Delta house is on Double Secret Probation

[Dog]

Fred could they have meant Ashcroft??

[Howlin]

I think what Fred said is what's been said ALL OVER TV all morning. Nobody mentioned Ashcroft until he stepped up to the mike, as far as I saw.

[Fred Mertz]

My friend is at the state level, so he could have bogus/slow poop.

[Lokibob]

There are five THREATCONs:

(1) THREATCON NORMAL. Applies when there is no discernible terrorist activity. Under these conditions, only a routine security posture, designed to defeat the routine criminal threat, is warranted.
(2) THREATCON ALPHA. Applies when there is a general threat of activity against personnel and/or installations, the nature and extent of which is unpredictable, and circumstances do not justify full implementation of THREATCON BRAVO measures. However, it may be necessary to implement certain measures from higher THREATCONs resulting from intelligence received or as a deterrent. Commands must be capable of maintaining THREATCON ALPHA measures indefinitely, with only limited impact on normal operations.

(3) THREATCON BRAVO. Applies when an increased or more predictable threat exists. Commanders must be capable of maintaining the measures of this THREATCON for several weeks without causing undue hardship to personnel, substantially affecting operational capabilities, or aggravating relations with local authorities and members of the local civilian or host nation community.

(4) THREATCON CHARLIE. Applies when an incident occurs or intelligence indicates some form of threat action against personnel and/or facilities is imminent. Implementation of THREATCON CHARLIE measures for more than a short period probably will create hardships for personnel and affect the peacetime activities of units and personnel.

(5) THREATCON DELTA. Implementation applies in the immediate area where a threat attack has occurred or when intelligence indicates terrorist action against a specific location is likely. Implementation of THREATCON DELTA normally occurs for only limited periods of time over specific, localized areas. Commands cannot sustain THREATCON DELTA for extended periods without causing significant hardships for personnel and substantial reductions in capability to perform normal peacetime missions.

[LurkedLongEnough]

WSJ article earlier today said Charlie is the level. That may have changed. Here's the quote from this morning's newspaper:

At the Pentagon, security was already heightened because of the anniversary. A mobile surface-to-air missile launcher -- part of an exercise announced Monday -- was parked several hundred yards from the Pentagon Tuesday morning. The Pentagon's official security condition remained at "Charlie" -- the second-highest of a four-level scale. The Pentagon had been at "Force Protection Condition Delta," the highest level, for weeks after last year's attack.

[Coop]

If true....this is big.

Not likely. All troops should be at a heightened state of alert for tomorrow. Makes complete sense.

If you're trying to insinuate that this hints that we're about to attack Iraq, why in the world would the DoD announce it to the world and tip everyone off? They're not suicidal.

[cmsgop]

Pepto is good for Slow/Poop