BERLIN

A major NATO air base in Germany is still on high security alert on Friday, a military spokesman confirmed.

“At the moment we are still at alert state Charlie,” Donny Demmers, a spokesman for the NATO Airbase Geilenkirchen told Anadolu, adding that the security situation was constantly monitored.

Security alert “Charlie” applies at NATO bases when an incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating some form of terrorist action, or targeting against personnel or facilities is likely.

The spokesman said the airbase had decided to raise the security level on Thursday, based on intelligence information that is indicating a potential threat.

“All non-mission essential personnel have been sent home as a precautionary measure. The safety of our staff is a top priority. Our critical operations will continue as planned,” he said.

The military alliance's AWACS surveillance aircraft are stationed at Geilenkirchen base, located close to the western city of Aachen. The multinational unit provides air and sea surveillance and can be used as a flying command center in combat aircraft operations.

In recent years, NATO AWACS aircraft conducted hundreds of flights over Eastern Europe to monitor Russian military activity near the alliance’s borders.