[mhking]

Does Delta correspond with the Orange alert?

[Dog]

If true....this is big.

[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.

[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
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[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

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

[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.

[1Old Pro]

What does this actually mean?

It means that 8 years of Clintoon neglect has made the world a dangerous place.

[Junior]

U.S. to Raise Threat Level, Sees High Attack Risk

Tue Sep 10, 1:08 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will for the first time raise its threat assessment to a "high risk of terrorist attacks" because of new information ahead of the Sept. 11 anniversary, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

 

Reuters Photo 9/11 Special Coverage News, features, photos and more. Go there now.

The change comes as many Americans are already on edge as they mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks that killed about 3,000 people, with opinion polls showing that many people expect fresh attacks against the United States.

U.S. officials, who asked not to be named, said the threat level would be raised to "orange," reflecting a "high risk of terrorist attacks" and is one step below the top "red" threat level, where the risk is seen as "severe."

The threat level is now at "yellow," the middle of the five-point scale where it has stood since the government created the color-coded system in March to offer people guidelines on how to prepare for any attacks after Sept. 11.

"As a result of new information we have received, the threat level is increasing," said a senior Bush administration official who asked not to be named, adding that Attorney General John Ashcroft ( news - web sites) and White House homeland security adviser Tom Ridge would announce the decision later Tuesday.

In one sign of the heightened security measures that the U.S. government is taking as the anniversary approaches, Vice President Dick Cheney ( news - web sites) spent Monday night at a secret location.

The White House Office of Homeland Security proposed that federal departments and agencies should consider the following measures when the threat level is set at orange:

-- Coordinating necessary security efforts with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies or any National Guard or other appropriate armed forces organizations;

-- Taking additional precautions at public events and possibly considering alternative venues or even cancellation;

-- Preparing to execute contingency procedures, such as moving to an alternate site or dispersing their work force;

-- And restricting threatened facility access to essential personnel only.

Despite the added precautions called for under the increased level, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer ( news - web sites) suggested that Americans go about their lives as they mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

"The president thinks the American people should absolutely take specific actions. Those specific actions are to live their lives, to honor the memories of those who were lost, to pay respects to the families and the loved ones of those ... attacked and killed on Sept. 11," Fleischer said.

"The American people need to live their lives. That's the best thing that the American people can do to send a signal to anybody who would do us harm," the spokesman added.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

It seems the Stock Market is handling the increased threat level without alarm.

[VaBthang4]

"What does it really mean? What does this actually mean?"

???

The Military doesnt play MSDNC games. Delta means Delta. It is the highest level of alert for Military forces...the Military's threat structure isnt a toy and it is changed for real reasons.

It means security is ratchetted up. Ammo usually distibuted to more than normal, fighters stay on the tarmac hot & ready, tanks go full battle rattle...everyone starts paying attention.

[js1138]

I hate to say this, but eight years passed between the first attempt on the trade towers, and the successful one. The ragheads can make us jump just by spreading rumors on the internet. Meanwhile they plan carefully.

Perhaps we can, over time, dry up their funding and remove some of the state support, but I fear for what will happen if we elect another president who governs by focus group.

[Billthedrill]

Durn it. Wish I'd stashed another mag in the bag this AM - now I'm gonna have to line 'em up...

[finnman69]

Awww crap, nothing comes after Delta? I sleep better when something comes after. Does this affect our Defcon level?

[Billthedrill]

I just checked the story out - 'twould appear that only specific military units based in the MidEast are at Delta. I guess I ought to go untie my coworker now...dunno if he's a murdering terrorist but he has a beard, and you can't be too careful...

[pfflier]

Remember the USAF general that got reamed over the Saudi barracks terrorist attacks? Remember how President Reagan got lambasted over the Beiruit barracks terrorist attack?

Would you expect commanders to do no less that escalate their state of readiness to Threatcon D in anticipation of attacks on the anniversary of 9-11?

Why make a big deal out of it? This time we are prepared.

[Poohbah]

Threatcon Delta--attacks are likely.

It's vey series.

[rdb3]

If it's only concerning THREATCON, then only the military personnel are involved. If it goes DEFCON, uh oh!