US forces on heightened alert

2003-03-18 18:46

Stuttgart, Germany - The US army's European Command (EUcom) put its personnel in 93 countries on its second-highest alert on Tuesday as a war against Iraq appeared imminent.

EUcom said it had raised its four-stage alert system from Bravo to Charlie "as a prudent measure to ensure the security and safety of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, civilians, their families and our resources."

It said the change was prudent based on "the confluence of recent events."

Under EUcom operating procedures, Charlie condition "applies when an incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating some form of terrorist action against personnel and facilities is imminent."

Late on Monday, US President George W Bush gave Iraqi President Saddam Hussein 48 hours to leave Iraq or face war.

Bush also braced Americans, jittery since the 9/11 attacks, for possible terrorist strikes against the United States or its allies in the event of war.

An EUcom spokesperson said Charlie status was the second highest security alert condition. The only time US forces had simultaneously gone to the highest condition, called Delta, worldwide was following the September 11 suicide hijackings, he said.

EUcom, based in the southwest German city of Stuttgart, covers 93 countries including Europe, Africa and parts of the Middle East.

- AFX