Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker A NATO air base in western Germany with about 400 U.S military personnel lowered its alert level Friday a day after intelligence indicating a potential threat led to heightened security Geilenkirchen Air Base returned to force protection condition Bravo-plus Friday afternoon The installation had gone to minimum manning overnight Thursday raising its force protection condition to Charlie and sending all but mission-essential personnel home as a precaution said no personnel were evacuated from the base which houses NATO’s fleet of AWACS surveillance planes “All scheduled operations are proceeding as planned,” the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force said Friday on X Officials did not disclose the nature of the threat A person tried to get access to Geilenkirchen on Aug 13 but security guards thwarted the attempt German media reported that a person was briefly detained and released The base at Geilenkirchen is near the border with the Netherlands Among its international military and civilian staff are about 400 mostly U.S Two of the base’s squadrons fall under the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base: the 852nd Medical Squadron and 470th Air Base Squadron Geilenkirchen is home to 14 E-3A AWACS airplanes which are tasked with protecting NATO airspace through surveillance Its mobile radar is designed to detect aircraft missiles and other incoming projectiles at long ranges Two of them deployed Thursday to Konya Air Base in Turkey and will conduct surveillance flights along NATO’s eastern flank The previously scheduled deployment is not linked to Thursday’s security developments Soldiers check the entrance to the NATO air base with the security alert state C sign on the left BERLIN (AP) — The security level at a NATO air base in western Germany was raised temporarily because of intelligence information pointing to a “potential threat,” but was reduced again on Friday An announcement late Thursday night of the increase in the security level at the Geilenkirchen base didn’t elaborate on the nature of the potential threat but said that all staff not essential to missions had been sent home as a precaution “All scheduled operations are proceeding as planned,” it added German news agency dpa said that a reporter saw police cars on and around the grounds of the air base Police confirmed a deployment Thursday night said they were investigating suspected espionage for the purpose of sabotage without elaborating on who might be behind it German media reported that drones had been spotted over a chemical park in Brunsbuettel Intelligence on a possible threat of Russian sabotage action against Geilenkirchen NATO air base caused it to temporarily raise its security level last week, German press agency dpa reported Monday A foreign intelligence service gave "serious indication" of preparatory actions for a likely Russian act of sabotage against the NATO base the German newspaper Tagesspiegel reported the air base of the Western defense alliance in North Rhine-Westphalia instated the second-highest security level Upon receiving the information, all non-essential personnel were sent home to minimize the potential risk, but air traffic was not disrupted and continued to operate normally. Since there were no incidents at the air base, the security level was reduced to the previous level on Friday afternoon.  which stations special aircraft currently used primarily to monitor airspace in NATO’s eastern theater a spokesperson for the defense alliance said The base's radar is capable of locating and identifying other aircraft at a range of more than 400 kilometers.  The alert level rise follows a series of recent sabotage threats in Germany. Two weeks ago, the Geilenkirchen base and another military base near Cologne airport were temporarily sealed off as authorities investigated a possible water-supply sabotage The Cologne-Wahn airbase is a major transportation hub for Ukrainian soldiers trained in Germany Earlier, in June, Russian saboteurs set fire to a metal factory belonging to the defense contractor Diehl in Berlin the saboteurs’ goal was to disrupt shipments of critical weapons and ammunition to Ukraine Military spending surged last year in ways unseen since the Cold War Budapest has opened the door to using AI facial recognition to identify LGBTQ+ protestors Ukraine’s supporters promised a record new round of military aid MAGA’s biggest cheerleaders struggle to justify “Make America Wealthy Again” measures your new go-to podcast to spice up your weekday mornings with relevant news and behind-the-scenes from Brussels and beyond From the economy to the climate and the EU's role in world affairs this talk show sheds light on European affairs and the issues that impact on our daily lives as Europeans Tune in to understand the ins and outs of European politics Dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries Deep dive conversations with business leaders Euronews Tech Talks goes beyond discussions to explore the impact of new technologies on our lives the podcast provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology and society Europe's water is under increasing pressure floods are taking their toll on our drinking water Join us on a journey around Europe to see why protecting ecosystems matters and to discover some of the best water solutions an animated explainer series and live debate - find out why Water Matters We give you the latest climate facts from the world’s leading source analyse the trends and explain how our planet is changing We meet the experts on the front line of climate change who explore new strategies to mitigate and adapt Security at a NATO airbase in western Germany has been raised because of intelligence information pointing to a “potential threat." All staff not essential to missions have been sent home as a precaution is where the alliance's Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft are based late on Thursday did not elaborate on the nature of the potential threat It said that “operations continue as planned.” German police confirmed the deployment of vehicles to the scene on Thursday night but gave no details a major German air force based near Cologne was locked down for several hours amid fears that its water supply might have been tampered with An investigation found no evidence of such sabotage There were also reports of suspicious observations at Geilenkirchen and a person was briefly detained for questioning near the base said they were investigating suspicions of espionage for sabotage German media also reported that drones had been spotted over a chemical park in Brunsbuettel Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times the first NATO Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft to complete the Final Lifetime Extension Programme (FLEP) touched down at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen This marks a significant milestone in ensuring the operational capability and sustainability of NATO's E-3A fleet until 2035 The FLEP represents the concluding phase of modernisation efforts for the AWACS fleet The programme began with hardware modifications in April 2022 and was finalised last week culminating in the return of the upgraded Boeing 707 to its home base for comprehensive ground and flight testing Prominent figures attended the aircraft’s arrival including Brigadier General Michael Gschoßmann General Manager of the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Programme Management Agency (NAPMA) and senior officials from the E-3A Component This marked an opportunity to inspect the newly enhanced interior of the aircraft The aircraft will undergo rigorous testing managed by the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force Combined Test Team (CTT) and NAPMA personnel This phase aims to validate the modifications and ensure the aircraft meets all operational standards the body responsible for overseeing the planning and integration of technical solutions for the AWACS will officially hand over the aircraft once all tests have been satisfactorily completed The successful execution of FLEP underlines NATO’s commitment to maintaining a robust and modern fleet that supports its strategic objectives well into the future Cookie Policy Copyright © 2025 Defence Industry Europe | mady by: geekon.eu We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze how you use this website and provide the content and advertisements that are relevant to you These cookies will only be stored in your browser with your prior consent You can choose to enable or disable some or all of these cookies but disabling some of them may affect your browsing experience Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns Isabel van Brugen is a Newsweek Reporter based in Kuala Lumpur Her focus is reporting on the Russia-Ukraine war Isabel joined Newsweek in 2021 and had previously worked with news outlets including the Daily Express You can get in touch with Isabel by emailing i.vanbrugen@newsweek.com or by following her on X @isabelvanbrugen either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content A security scare at a NATO air base in western Germany last week was sparked by the threat of a possible Russian drone attack Germany's Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) was told by German intelligence that there had been signs "of preparatory actions for a likely Russian act of sabotage" using a drone The security level at the Geilenkirchen air base—where NATO's Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) surveillance aircraft are based—had been raised temporarily on August 22 as "a precautionary measure," the NATO AWACS fleet's X (formerly Twitter) account said Friday Tensions between Russia and the West have remained high throughout President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine Putin has accused the NATO military alliance of being complicit in the war by supplying Ukraine with military aid and equipment NATO-member Germany has defended Ukraine's ability to use German-supplied weapons on Russian soil including in Kyiv's ongoing incursion into Russia's Kursk region The heightened security level at the Geilenkirchen air base was in place for 24 hours "The security level at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen has returned to Bravo+. The temporary rise to Charlie was a precautionary measure to minimize potential risk to our organization and personnel. All scheduled operations are proceeding as planned," the AWACS fleet's statement on X read Department of Defense system called Force Protection Condition (FPCON) identifies and recommends preventive actions and responses to terrorist threats against U.S which was in place temporarily at the NATO air base applies "when an incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating some form of terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities is likely." It said in an earlier post that the security level was initially raised "based on intelligence information indicating potential threat" and all non-mission essential staff had been sent home as a precautionary measure "Operations continue as planned," the account added Days before the latest incident, the NATO air base had been temporarily closed over fears that its water supply system had been purposely contaminated, German newspaper Bild reported No abnormalities were found after an inspection The tabloid also reported last week that Germany was investigating suspected Russian surveillance drone flights flying over key nuclear infrastructure in Brunsbüttel a city in the north of the country near the coast of the North Sea Newsweek has contacted the Russian Ministry of Defense for comment by email Russia has yet to comment on the claims by German intelligence on the matter Tensions are likely to remain high between Germany and Russia throughout Putin's war in Ukraine. In July, Germany's Defense Ministry confirmed it was developing emergency plans to move "hundreds of thousands" of NATO troops across its territory in the event of a war with Russia, Newsweek previously reported Do you have a tip on a world news story that Newsweek should be covering Do you have a question about the Russia-Ukraine war Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsletters in your inbox See all HOT: » What kind of news would you like to see more of? heightened its security level late last night following intelligence reports indicating a potential threat all non-essential personnel were sent home as a precaution according to a statement posted on social media platform "X" A spokesperson for the Geilenkirchen base emphasized that the safety of their personnel remains the top priority while also noting that operations are continuing as planned The security level at the base was raised to the second highest of the four alert states This level is characterized by an incident or intelligence suggesting that a terrorist action against NATO organizations or personnel is highly likely We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria Bulgaria is actively defending its national interests within NATO according to Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov Bulgaria allocated $2.208 billion (3.964 billion leva) for defense The first Bulgarian F-16 Block 70 multi-role fighter jet Bulgaria continues its military modernization efforts now surpassing NATO’s 2% defense spending target by dedicating 3% of its GDP to defense The US Army Europe and Africa has confirmed the redeployment of its military personnel and equipment from Jasionka Airport in Poland Russia continues to pose the most serious and immediate threat to NATO and the European Union according to the 2024 Report on the Status of the Defense and Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria The European Commission is proposing significant changes to EU regulations concerning road safety and vehicle registration According to preliminary data from Eurostat the eurozone economy grew by 0.4% in the first quarter of the year compared to the previous three months doubling the 0.2% increase recorded at the end of 2024 The European Commission has announced a €910 million investment under the European Defence Fund (EDF) to enhance defence manufacturing capabilities across the European Union Friedrich Merz is poised to become Germany's next chancellor following the approval of a coalition agreement between his CDU/CSU bloc At least five people have died as a result of a large-scale power outage that affected the Iberian Peninsula on Monday The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has instructed Bulgarian authorities to provide suitable alternative housing for the fourteen individuals affected by the demolition Google Street View Cars Return to Bulgaria for Major Mapping Update Housing Prices Soar in Bulgaria’s Major Cities as Demand and Supply Strain Increase The security level at a Nato airbase in the German town of Geilenkirchen has been raised overnight "based on intelligence information indicating a potential threat" the base housing Nato's fleet of Awacs (airborne warning and control system) surveillance aircraft remains on high alert but "operations continue as planned" "We are still at Charlie," a spokesperson said – security level Charlie is defined as "an incident has occurred or intelligence has been received indicating that some form of terrorist action against Nato organisations or personnel is highly likely" Nato Awacs posted on X: "We raised the security level at NATO Airbase Geilenkirchen based on intelligence information indicating a potential threat "All non-mission essential staff have been sent home as a precautionary measure The safety of our staff is our top priority Nato Airborne Early Warning and Control Force is home to Nato's 'eyes in the sky' the E-3A airborne warning and control system (Awacs) The surveillance plane's distinctive radar dish makes the Awacs easily identifiable although the aircraft is in fact a modified 20th-century Boeing 707, once used by commercial airlines It plays an important and unique role for the alliance by protecting Allied airspace The aircraft provides the alliance with immediately available air and maritime surveillance Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe to: A German military base next to Cologne airport was temporarily sealed off on Wednesday as authorities investigated a possible act of sabotage involving the water supply a guard discovered a hole in the fence of the Cologne-Wahn base near the drinking water facility a German military spokesperson said in a statement "As the drinking water system was showing unusual values the drinking water supply in the barracks was cut off," the spokesperson said The incident was first reported by German media outlet Spiegel which cited an internal memo in which soldiers and civilian forces were urged not to use the tap water on the base under any circumstances Earlier in the day, German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that a NATO base in Geilenkirchen in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia had also been sealed off due to possible sabotage of the water supply denied the base had been closed or that there were any issues with the water while also acknowledging there had been a security incident the night before someone attempted to enter the base without permission," Donny Demmers spokesperson for the NATO air base in Geilenkirchen "The security guard prevented him in a normal way,” he added “We automatically increased our security measures." The incident on the Cologne-Wahn base is currently being investigated by police and the German military's counterintelligence services Around 4,300 soldiers and 1,200 civilian forces are said to work at the site in Cologne where several command authorities and civilian departments of the German military as well as aircraft used by the defense ministry While there are no indications of who may have been responsible for the suspected sabotage, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser warned in June of growing espionage and cyber threats from foreign adversaries including Russia An arson attack on a metal factory belonging to arms manufacturer Diehl in Berlin was among the latest cases of alleged sabotage. According to a Wall Street Journal report the fire was set by Russian saboteurs aiming to disrupt shipments of critical arms and ammunition to Ukraine The Cologne-Wahn airbase is an important transport hub for Ukrainian soldiers trained in Germany This failure is unprecedented in Germany’s postwar history Friedrich Merz presides over a coalition of crumbling mainstream parties Germany’s junior coalition partner hands key ministries to familiar faces — and springs a few surprises Chinese President Xi Jinping is among the leaders set to attend the Victory Day Parade in Moscow A possible Russian drone flyover last week prompted a NATO military base in western Germany to briefly raise its security level, media in the country reported Monday The Western military bloc on Friday said it elevated and then lowered the security level at Geilenkirchen Air Base due to an unspecified “potential threat.” Germany has been on high alert for possible sabotage and attacks on military facilities in recent months serving as a base for its AWACS reconnaissance aircraft German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur, citing German security sources, reported that the security level at the air base was temporarily elevated over “intelligence findings indicating potential Russian sabotage using a drone.” Geilenkirchen spokesperson Christian Brett dismissed the notion of drone flyovers as “absurd” in a statement on Friday Reuters on Monday cited a NATO spokesperson at Geilenkirchen who clarified that “the word Russia was never mentioned.” “We discussed a threat caused by drones,” the unnamed NATO spokesperson was quoted as saying There have been no official statements regarding a specific Russian threat at the base Moscow has repeatedly denied allegations of sabotage against Western nations supporting Ukraine’s defense against Moscow’s invasion investigators arrested two German-Russian men suspected of spying for Russia and plotting attacks in Germany — including on U.S military facilities — in an attempt to undermine support for Ukraine Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help please support us monthly starting from just $2 and every contribution makes a significant impact independent journalism in the face of repression The security level at a Nato airbase in the German town of Geilenkirchen has been lowered again Nato Airbase Geilenkirchen, the base housing Nato's fleet of Awacs (airborne warning and control system) surveillance aircraft, was raised on Thursday "based on intelligence information indicating a potential threat" "The security level at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen has returned to Bravo+. The temporary rise to Charlie was a precautionary measure to minimise potential risk to our organization and personnel," the air base said Security level Charlie is defined as "an incident has occurred or intelligence has been received indicating that some form of terrorist action against NATO organisations or personnel is highly likely" The security alert meant the base housing the AWACS surveillance planes was working with minimal staffing as a precautionary measure Nato has yet to provide any further details about the nature of the threat Charlie is the second-highest of four states of alert defined as "an increased and more predictable threat of terrorist attack which may target NATO installations and personnel" More than a dozen AWACS aircraft are stationed at the Geilenkirchen base It plays an important and unique role in the alliance by protecting Allied airspace Nato AWACS aircraft conducted flights over Eastern Europe to monitor Russian military activity near the alliance's borders Germany — NATO is stepping up surveillance along Romania’s border with Ukraine a move that comes after reports that a Russian drone last week crossed into allied airspace which began Monday with increased flights by the alliance’s far-seeing AWACS aircraft The flights over Romania are in line with a broader effort to reinforce allied presence in the region and monitor what the Russian military is doing “It will also strengthen Romania’s ability to respond to the increased air activity in the vicinity of its border,” Allied Air Command said in a statement Monday NATO said the flights will take place solely over alliance territory and will operate out of Preveza Air Base in Greece and the NATO AWACS main base at Geilenkirchen Romania’s defense ministry reported that a Russian drone briefly crossed into its airspace in connection with an attack in neighboring Ukraine Romanian and Spanish fighter jets taking part in a NATO air policing mission in the country were scrambled to monitor the airspace The increased presence in Romania of the AWACS aircraft known as NATO’s “eye in the sky,” will give the alliance the ability to look far into Ukraine to monitor events Sensors in a radar dome atop the planes can detect other aircraft out to a distance of 250 miles Looking to access paid articles across multiple policy topics Interested in policy insights for EU professional organisations A German military base next to Cologne airport was temporarily sealed off on Wednesday (14 August) and soldiers there were told not to drink tap water as authorities investigated possible sabotage the military’s Territorial Command said News Service Produced externally by an organization we trust to adhere to journalistic standards Awacs warning and control aircrafts stand at the NATO airbase in Geilenkirchen Suspected sabotage at German bases raises alarm amid Russian threats Cologne-Wahn base sealed after a security breach near water storage German military installations were rocked by suspected sabotage and security breaches this week raising concerns about potential threats in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine The Bundeswehr base in Cologne-Wahn was sealed off on Wednesday after authorities discovered a hole in the fence near drinking water storage facilities coupled with an attempted trespassing attempt at a NATO airbase in Geilenkirchen has sent shockwaves through Germany’s defense establishment Let’s examine these events in more detail and consider their potential implications for Germany’s security and its unwavering support for Ukraine security measures clamped down on the Cologne-Wahn base following a suspected intrusion and signs of sabotage A breach was discovered in a fence near the water storage area which raised immediate concerns about potential tampering with the water supply “As the drinking water system was showing unusual values, the drinking water supply in the barracks was cut off,” the spokesperson said, as reported by POLITICO The incident initially came to light through a report by Spiegel which referenced an internal memo directing both military personnel and civilian employees to avoid using the base’s tap water under any circumstances #GERMAN BASE IN COLOGNE LOCKED DOWN OVER WATER SUPPLY SABOTAGE FEARS German authorities have sealed off the Cologne-Wahn military base amid fears that its water supply has been sabotaged. Following the discovery of a hole in the base’s fence, investigators launched an inquiry… pic.twitter.com/AkxyY4PZvD — Live Updates (@LiveupdatesUS) August 14, 2024 This base is critical for providing military support to Ukraine extended investigations or increased security measures may slow down the base’s routine operations potentially disrupting logistical and operational support Given its role in supplying military aid any disruption could have an impact on the timeliness and efficiency with which support reaches Ukrainian forces this incident may necessitate a review of security protocols at other bases that perform similar functions potentially stretching resources thin and diverting attention away from frontline support activities also faced a security challenge with an attempted unauthorized entry Earlier reports from the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung suggested that the base had been sealed off due to potential sabotage involving the water supply DEVELOPING: A NATO airbase in the German town of Geilenkirchen has raised the security level and conducted tests on its water supply following the suspected sabotage at a German base near Cologne.https://t.co/ar7iik2cTs — DW News (@dwnews) August 14, 2024 NATO spokesperson Donny Demmers clarified that while the base remained operational someone attempted to enter the base without permission,” Demmers explained “The security guard prevented him in a normal way,” he added “We automatically increased our security measures.” These incidents come amidst heightened security concerns in Germany, a key ally of Ukraine. The German government has been wary of potential sabotage and attacks on its military facilities since the war began Although the perpetrators behind the suspected sabotage remain unidentified, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser issued a warning in June about escalating espionage and cyber threats from international adversaries such as Russia, China, and Iran The close proximity of these incidents has also sparked fears of a coordinated effort to disrupt German military operations and undermine its support for Ukraine chairman of parliament’s defense committee saying that “an enemy actor wants to demonstrate his sabotage skills.” Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized the swift response by authorities and the ongoing investigations to ensure the safety of the water supply and identify the culprits He stressed the importance of remaining vigilant in the current security climate Earlier this year, German authorities detained two German-Russian individuals on allegations of espionage for Russia and conspiring to launch attacks on German soil with the intent to disrupt military aid to Ukraine The recent suspected sabotage and security breaches at German military installations shine a hard chilling spotlight on the escalating security dilemmas sweeping Europe With Germany standing tall as a steadfast ally to Ukraine it’s more crucial than ever to beef up defenses and dig deep into these incidents ensuring they aren’t just preludes to something more sinister lurking in the shadows and whether these are standalone events or the frontlines of a broader scheme remains to be seen But make no mistake: the stakes are towering and the need for vigilance is never more pressing Disclaimer: SOFREP utilizes AI for image generation and article research it’s like handing a chimpanzee the keys to your liquor cabinet It’s not always perfect and if a mistake is made In a world where information comes at us in tidal waves it is an important tool that helps us sift through 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support of the sport and airgun industry RecPak is a meal replacement for the outdoors that saves you weight space and time in the most challenging environments an offensive to reduce the Geilenkirchen salient in Germany highlighted the value of specialized tanks in a combined US-British operation Top photo: Geilenkirchen in ruins. The 84th Infantry Division In The Battle Of Germany the Allied advance on Germany stalled in the face of stiffening enemy resistance Allied leaders believed this was a result of the serious logistics shortfalls that had plagued the Allies since the breakout from Normandy that the Wehrmacht had achieved a remarkable resurgence these newly formed divisions significantly bolstered the strength of the German defense especially given the added benefit of the Siegfried Line’s fortifications the Allies faced the dual threat of a resurgent Wehrmacht and an anemic logistics system to pause operations from October 25 to early November He had only recently incorporated Lieutenant General William H Simpson’s Ninth US Army headquarters into his army group assigning Simpson to a sector opposite the Ardennes Forest and transportation assets stretched thin across the broad Allied front Bradley minimized the logistical burden of this move by shifting headquarters and boundaries when the Ninth Army headquarters moved north Simpson assumed command of the XIX Corps in its current location leaving the VIII Corps and its divisions behind under First Army command The narrow Ninth Army sector reflected the limited combat power available to Simpson The Ninth Army was the newest of Bradley’s field armies and Simpson did not yet have his full complement of subordinate units US Army ground force strength in western Europe grew quickly in the fall of 1944 As new divisions arrived from the beachhead in Normandy the 12th Army Group assigned them to its field armies This gradually increased each field army’s strength to three corps headquarters with four divisions each for a total of 12 divisions per field army these troop movements took time and competed for scarce transportation assets As planning began for the November offensive and the 113th Cavalry Group available for combat operations Bradley had recently assigned Major General Alvin C but Gillem did not yet have any troops assigned Simpson also had the 7th Armored Division and the 102nd and 104th Infantry Divisions nominally under his command and he would soon receive the 84th Infantry Division only part of the 102nd Division was available to him on November 1 This costly operation proved invaluable in developing techniques to penetrate the German defensive belt It also gave the XIX Corps valuable combat experience German preparations for the Ardennes Counteroffensive in early November involved key troop movements concealed from the Allies through elaborate deception operations Major General Raymond S. McLain, XIX Corps Commander. ibiblio.org Other factors complicated Simpson’s mission as well Along the northern boundary of the Ninth Army sector the Germans occupied the village of Geilenkirchen with a sizable force situated in one of the most heavily fortified parts of the Siegfried Line gave the enemy a powerful strongpoint from which to launch counterattacks into the XIX Corps flank Simpson knew he would have to clear Geilenkirchen if his push to the Roer were to succeed The Geilenkirchen salient sat astride the boundary between the 21st and 12th Army Groups with the British XXX Corps to the north and the US XIX Corps to the south This made a combined operation the obvious approach but Commonwealth troops would be heavily engaged in operations to clear the Peel Marshes in Holland through mid-November after holding a series of conferences with Montgomery and his field army commanders Bradley postponed the coming operation until November 11 This gave time for the British to complete their operations in the Peel Marshes and for more American divisions to augment the 12th Army Group’s combat power Major General Alvan C. Gillem Jr., XIII Corps Commander, U.S. Army Center of Military History, The 84th Infantry Division arrived in the Ninth Army sector on November 3 Simpson assigned it plus the 113th Cavalry Group and the 102nd Infantry Division (now full-strength) to the XIII Corps with the mission of defending Ninth Army’s northern flank The 7th Armored Division returned from its temporary assignment to the British Second Army on November 8 The arrival of so many new units in the narrow Ninth Army sector clogged roads and complicated preparations but further delays gave Simpson time to get his sector organized The delays resulted primarily from Bradley’s decision to use air power to support the offensive air and ground planners developed the blueprint for Operation Queen a preliminary aerial bombardment of unprecedented size that would employ both American and British heavies Bradley was optimistic that Operation Queen would significantly lessen enemy resistance to the ground assault but he realized it would require clear weather that might be days away To ensure participation by the maximum possible number of bombers Although the target date for the operation remained November 11 Bradley would approve a 24-hour delay each day the weather kept the bombers grounded Bradley chose November 16 as the deadline; if the weather did not clear by the 16th the offensive would begin without air support Simpson found himself in the unusual situation of having more troops than he could employ simultaneously along his limited 10-mile front Simpson’s mission required him to clear the Roer plain in sector and seize crossing sites over the Roer River the XIII and XIX Corps would drive northeast to the Rhine at Düsseldorf Simpson decided to deal with this limited frontage by first committing the XIX Corps as the main effort to clear the Roer plain and drive on Jülich Once the XIX Corps made sufficient progress temporary boundary shifts would allow for the commitment of the XIII Corps which would attack to the Roer along the northern flank and seize crossing sites at Linnich To deal with the threat posed by the Geilenkirchen salient Simpson found a solution in Allied cooperation Lieutenant General Sir Brian Gwynne Horrocks, British XXX Corps Commander. Imperial War Museum, Catalog Number B 9302 This arrangement had the benefit of keeping the XIII Corps focused on its mission in the Roer plain while enabling Simpson to get the 84th Division into the fight from the start Once the 102nd Infantry Division captured Gereonsweiler and the British XXX Corps cleared Geilenkirchen bringing Operation Clipper to a successful end the 84th Division would return to the XIII Corps command in an extended sector This would give Gillem the space and combat power needed to advance to the Roer River seize crossing sites in the vicinity of Linnich and release the 7th Armored Division to exploit the river crossing operation Operation Clipper would take place in the northern part of the Ninth Army sector in an area defended by General Günther Blumentritt’s XII SS Panzerkorps the 176th Infantry and the 183rd Volksgrenadier these divisions had recently refit and reorganized The two divisions that made up the theater reserve in this sector the 9th Panzer and the 15th Panzergrenadier and located near Linnich where they could intervene quickly in the XIII Corps zone Blumentritt paid particular attention to the defense of Geilenkirchen He positioned his antitank defenses near the town consisting of 20 assault guns and the full complement of both divisions’ 75-mm and 88-mm antitank guns He positioned his two-battalion reserve near Geilenkirchen and ordered all his artillery batteries to prepare to mass fire there on order he kept in reserve the 301st Tank Battalion with 31 Tiger tanks and the 559th Assault Gun Battalion with 21 guns Simpson and McLain believed it would take just five days for the XIX Corps to reach the Roer While the XIX Corps attack would begin on D-Day Operation Clipper would start two days later This would hopefully lead some German reserves to reposition to the south in response to the attack in the Roer plain The successful conclusion of both the XIX Corps offensive and Operation Clipper would give the Ninth Army five more miles of frontage where Gillem’s XIII Corps would assault across the Roer northwest of Linnich Major General Alexander R. Bolling (right) with Major General Gillem of XIII Corps at a farewell party. The 84th Infantry Division In The Battle Of Germany arrived in the Ninth Army area on November 10 Most units newly arrived from the Normandy beachhead gained combat experience in the defense of a relatively quiet sector giving them a chance to experience enemy fire before commitment to an offensive Bolling soon learned that his division would not have this opportunity his staff had much work to do to prepare for Operation Clipper Bolling had to coordinate with the British XXX Corps which would exercise operational control of the 84th Division while the XIII Corps remained responsible for administration a rail and road center on the Siegfried Line bristled with defensive fortifications and obstacles and a three-and-a-half-foot-high antitank wall made of five-inch square steel posts mounted in a concrete base The 2,000-meter-long antitank wall ran parallel to the Wurm River and the Palenberg-Geilenkirchen railroad creating a significant countermobility obstacle Two divisions would execute Operation Clipper Two regiments of the 84th Infantry Division while the British 43rd Wessex Division would attack on their left flank The attack would take place in four phases or D+2 (two days after the launch of the XIX Corps main effort in the Roer plain) the 334th Infantry would attack to capture Prummern and the adjacent high ground southeast of the town The second phase would begin at noon on the 18th with the 43rd Division’s attack east toward Geilenkirchen to capture the villages of Tripsrath and Bauchem protecting the flanks of the 333rd Infantry during phase three when it attacked on the morning of November 19 to clear Geilenkirchen and the surrounding fortifications up to Süggerath in the Wurm River valley the 43rd Wessex Division would continue its advance up the west bank of the Wurm to Hoven while the 84th Division pushed past Süggerath and Prummern to seize the villages of Müllendorf Dragons Teeth of the Siegfried Line, near Geilenkirchen. The 84th Infantry Division In The Battle Of Germany Operation Clipper would not benefit directly from the Operation Queen preliminary bombardment Horrocks could count on fighter-bomber support from the Second British Tactical Air Force and the XXIX Tactical Air Command This support began on November 8 with napalm strikes to soften the enemy defense The 84th Infantry Division would also enjoy the support of British armor This included Sherman tanks of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry Regiment and specialized tanks of a unit named Drewforce The British used a wide variety of specialized tanks collectively known as “Hobart’s Funnies” after the 79th Armoured Division commander Patrols had detected a 25-yard-wide mine belt that the armor and accompanying infantry would have to cross to begin the attack The Flail tanks began to beat two wide paths through the minefield under sporadic German small-arms fire clearing the way for the tanks and infantry to attack The Flails made some progress but gradually became stuck ultimately forcing the Sherwood Rangers to bypass them and force their way through losing one tank in the process and delaying the advance A Teller mine explodes as British Flail tanks conduct mine clearance on a road near Geilenkirchen, 19 November 1944. National World War II Museum ACCESSION NUMBER: 2013.495.1263  Gift of Mr 334th Infantry captured the pillboxes by 9 a.m. but it took another three hours for the troops to consolidate and prepare for the assault on Prummern A 10-minute artillery barrage preceded the attack which progressed over flat ground with no cover or concealment and Volksgrenadiers spilled out of the buildings to surrender the 2nd Battalion drove a wedge into the Geilenkirchen salient just west of Prummern cutting the road to Immendorf and seizing high ground southeast of Süggerath the 43rd Wessex Division began its attack at noon on the 18th The thick mud made off-road travel extremely difficult by the end of the day the division had advanced two miles seizing Tripsrath and most of Bauchem and taking 800 German prisoners With the Allies occupying high ground on three sides of Geilenkirchen conditions were set for the continuation of the assault Forward Artillery Observers Supporting the 84th Infantry Division. The 84th Infantry Division In The Battle Of Germany pleased with the progress made to that point directed an increase in the speed of the attack Hoping to take advantage of the attack’s momentum he directed his divisions to execute the third and fourth phases of the operation on the 19th This led Bolling on the evening of the 18th to order a final push to seize Hill 101 overlooking Süggerath but a reconnaissance patrol to Mahogany Hill spotted six German tanks headed toward Prummern This was the vanguard of a counterattack force composed of two companies of the 10th Panzergrenadier Regiment but it delayed their move on Mahogany Hill until midday on the 19th Only then did the regimental commander commit his reserve battalion to the task Stiff resistance from pillboxes north and east of Prummern repulsed this attack as the rest of the regiment continued to deal with pockets of enemy resistance in Prummern support from flame-throwing British “Crocodile” tanks enabled the 334th to reduce the pillboxes A Churchill tank fitted with a Crocodile flamethrower in action. This flamethrower could produce a jet of flame exceeding 150 yards in length. Imperial War Museum. TR 2313 The 333rd Infantry’s assault began on November 19 The GIs were surprised to find Geilenkirchen only lightly defended surrounded on three sides by US and British troops fought a delaying action before melting away Leaving one battalion behind to clear the town the rest of the regiment continued toward Süggerath They encountered two pillboxes guarding the road into town but a few squirts from the Crocodiles quickly flushed out the occupants Strongpoints in Süggerath put up tougher resistance when the attack ended with the 333rd still a mile from Würm British Infantry in Action in the Streets of Geilenkirchen, Germany, December 1944.   Imperial War Museums BU 1335  concerned about rear security and the possibility of further counterattacks directed his troops on November 20 to clear the last enemy resistance from Prummern and Süggerath after which they would continue the attack to Müllendorf a deluge of rain on the morning of November 21 turned the muddy ground into a quagmire that made armored operations nearly impossible An attack planned for the 22nd started late because of delays clearing debris from a demolished underpass in Süggerath The infantry began the attack without armored support but soon went to ground in the face of stiff resistance from enemy pillboxes in midafternoon the British armor rejoined the infantry as soon as the Crocodile tanks’ flamethrowers went to work the attack was 500 yards short of Müllendorf Further attempts by the 84th Infantry Division to renew the attack were similarly frustrated while the 43rd Wessex Division also encountered both the deluge of mud and stiffening enemy resistance The Allied commanders evaluated the situation With the majority of the Geilenkirchen salient cleared and Gereonsweiler captured by the XIX Corps Operation Clipper had achieved its main objectives Ninth Army troops had met the two conditions needed to give the XIII Corps its own zone as well the 84th Infantry Division and its attachments returned to the XIII Corps command and began preparations to continue the drive to the Roer River after an operational pause commanders and troops alike pondered the future painfully aware that the road to Berlin would be long Charles B. MacDonald, The Siegfried Line Campaign US Army in World War II: European Theater of Operations Brothers in Arms: One Legendary Tank Regiment’s Bloody War from D-Day to VE Day [1] Charles B US Army in World War II: European Theater of Operations (Washington [2] Quoted in Charles B [3] James Holland Brothers in Arms: One Legendary Tank Regiment’s Bloody War from D-Day to VE Day (New York: Atlantic Monthly Press [4] Charles B [5] Charles B [6] “The 84th Infantry Division in the Battle of Germany November 1944 – May 1945,” Combined Arms Research Library [7] “The 84th Infantry Division in the Battle of Germany [8] Charles B [9] James Holland Calhoun is a former Senior Historian at the Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy Copy MLA Citation Copy APA Citation Copy Chicago Style Citation the day after V-E Day was officially confirmed Eleanor Roosevelt reflects on the cautious mood The concept of genocide has fundamentally altered international law transforming the way we understand mass violence in the modern world.  Whether it played the role of the “Black Cat,” “Mad Cat,” or “Dumbo,” the PBY Catalina proved itself as one of the most instrumental amphibious planes as it struck fear in the Axis and provided hope for the Allies Regarded as the “most beautiful woman in the world,” Hedy Lamarr was not only a famous Hollywood actress who sold millions in war bonds during World War II Her creations included a frequency-hopping radio communications device for Allied torpedoes during the war including ghettos and other sites of incarceration from imprisoning "enemies of the state" to serving as way stations in larger deportation schemes to murdering people in gas chambers.  the remains of Private First Class John Henry Newstrom a US Marine killed during the Battle of Peleliu in 1944 have been identified and will be returned home thanks to a joint recovery effort by the US and Japanese governments In her first My Day column after Franklin D Eleanor Roosevelt reflects on the sorrow following his passing and urges the world to unite in building a lasting Controlling the Ryukyu Islands would allow the Americans to finally sever Japan from its South Asian empire.  View Campus Map This work, Saber Airmen execute base defense, ACE during Astral Knight, Saber Knight, by A1C Sydney Franklin, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright Father Jude was the beloved brother of Adella Andrijeski and is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews He was preceded in death by his parents Gerhard and Clara Geilenkirchen Joseph’s School in Fort Collins the first nine grades During his young years he was active in 4-H and FFA programs showing animals at the county and state fairs In his senior year in high school he entered the cherry pie baking contest and ended up as one of the nine finalists who showed how to make their pie in front of an audience Father Jude served as Brother Jude in the Benedictine Fathers at the Holy Cross Abbey in Conon City This is where he acquired the name of Jude he went to Canada to a seminary for the required studies He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Denver by Archbishop James V 1973 and served as Pastor at various parishes over the years And as Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Heart of Mary He also served as a missionary in Columbia While there he worked building shelters for the poor families and a church from donations from his friends and relatives in the United States Father Jude’s funeral Mass was held Tuesday 11 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver Father Jude was interred at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Wheat Ridge Official Priest Appointments: July 2025Archdiocese of Denver Everything you need to know about incorruptibilityCatholic News Agency 'What should I give up for Lent?': 10 Creative Ideas for a Season of Unexpected GrowthMarie San Jose Advertising Past Issues Events Obituaries Privacy Policy Lea nuestra publicación en español We continue to strengthen our presence in key markets develop innovative solutions and acquire companies in prioritised areas Saab's products are sold to over 100 countries and we currently operates in over 30 countries The first digital air traffic control tower is now live and in operation at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen in Germany The base is equipped with a state-of-the-art Saab r-TWR system Saab’s r-TWR is the first military digital tower solution fully operational in NATO and is certified by the the German Military Aviation Authority (LufABw) NATO’s main operation base for its Boeing E-3A airborne early warning and control system fleet in Geilenkirchen Germany will be using the Saab r-TWR in all weather conditions The solution will service a complex military airbase with aircraft types ranging from fighter jets to helicopters “This is an important milestone for Saab going operational with the digital air traffic solution within the military domain The digital tower provides a flexible and scalable solution that is proven to be suitable for military airbases as well as civilian airports of all sizes,“ says Per Ahl CEO of Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions (SDATS) The digital tower technology allows the airbase to be flexible and take advantage of the latest air traffic control technologies The solution consists of a well-proven system operated from a control room at the airbase high-definition cameras mounted on the mast to capture a 360-degree view of the airfield and pan-tilt-zoom cameras Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring mission to help nations keep their people and society safe Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations Saab serves the global market of governments authorities and corporations with products services and solutions ranging from military defence to civil security Saab has started operating its first military digital air traffic remote tower (r-TWR) at the NATO Air Base in Geilenkirchen The tower received certification from the German Military Aviation Authority before beginning operation NATO’s Geilenkirchen base will utilize the r-TWR alongside its Boeing E-3A airborne early warning and control system fleet to gather the latest air traffic control information in all weather conditions the digital tower will support missions of helicopters and fighter planes The r-TWR will be operated through a set of technologies from a control facility in the air base “This is an important milestone for Saab going operational with the digital air traffic solution within the military domain,” Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions CEO Per Ahl said “The digital tower provides a flexible and scalable solution that is proven to be suitable for military air bases as well as civilian airports of all sizes.” The r-TWR can be installed with protected panoramic or PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras to cover an area of interest and signal light guns and sound sensors to capture airport sound The tower can integrate other Saab automation tools, including the A-SMGCS (Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control) and the Aerobahn CDM (Collaborative Decision Making) Suite for efficient management of larger and more complex air bases The tower also has Saab’s TactiCall Voice Communication System to provide air traffic controllers with a user-friendly communication interface r-TWR’s control facility has multiple digital tower modules that enable a base to control more than one airport including a visual presentation projector that shows distribution and a full 360-degree view of a field The facility’s platforms include graphic overlays and video tracking to raise operator situational awareness In 2019, Saab secured a contract to provide a digital air traffic solution for NATO’s Geilenkirchen base This agreement was the first military order Saab’s Digital Air Traffic Solutions received for an operational digital tower NATO ordered the digital tower for live operations while refurbishing the base’s current tower Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions was formed in 2016 through a joint venture between Saab and the Swedish Civil Aviation Administration “We are proud to be trusted by NATO to deliver an operational digital tower Saab being selected to install the first air base solution is a huge breakthrough but because it means we’re entering the German as well as the military market,” Ahl said enabled by a digital air traffic control solution.” Add the following CSS to the header block of your HTML document.Then add the mark-up below to the body block of the same document Indo Defence – Jakarta – 11-14 June DSEI – London – 9-12 September PARTNER – Belgrade – 23-26 September Seafuture – La Spezia – 29 Sept.-2 October ADEX – Seoul – 29 October-2 November Dubai Air Show – Dubai – 17-21 November Milipol Paris – Paris – 18-21 Novenber Expodefensa – Bogotá – 1-3 December Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" You currently use an outdated internet browser. You can upgrade to a modern browser or use the Google Chrome Frame to optimize your viewing experience Saab’s r-TWR is the first military digital tower solution fully operational in NATO and is certified by the the German Military Aviation Authority (LufABw) NATO’s main operation base for its Boeing E-3A airborne early warning and control system fleet in Geilenkirchen “This is an important milestone for Saab going operational with the digital air traffic solution within the military domain The digital tower provides a flexible and scalable solution that is proven to be suitable for military airbases as well as civilian airports of all sizes,“ says Per Ahl high-definition cameras mounted on the mast to capture a 360-degree view of the airfield and pan-tilt-zoom cameras.  A NATO airbase in western Germany said Thursday it had raised its security level over a "potential threat" "We raised the security level at NATO Airbase Geilenkirchen based on intelligence information indicating potential threat," the base said in a post on social media platform X The announcement comes just over a week after a German military base was sealed off for several hours as authorities investigated suspected sabotage The base in Cologne-Wahn was locked down after a hole was discovered in a fence near drinking water storage facilities But test results eventually showed that the tap water was not contaminated NATO announced an attempted trespassing incident at the Geilenkirchen base An individual attempted to enter the base but was stopped and sent away No link between the two incidents has been established Germany -- a key ally of Kyiv -- has been on high alert for sabotage and attacks on military facilities in the country in the wake of Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine investigators arrested two German-Russian men on suspicion of spying for Russia and planning attacks in Germany -- including on US army facilities -- to undermine military support for Ukraine #29293a);margin:auto;margin-top:32px;max-width:calc(640px + (2 * 12px));padding:0 12px;}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.css-9uetne{margin-top:72px;}}.css-1lgqo8v{color:var(--sz-basic-text-color-primary 17:48 Uhr.css-rhp0z0{color:var(--sz-basic-border-color-secondary #c0c1c6);display:inline-block;margin:0 12px;}|.css-13l0r79{display:inline-block;}Lesezeit: 2 Min .css-y4bre2{display:block;height:auto;width:100%;}.js .css-y4bre2{cursor:pointer;}.css-1hdpxq{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;background-color:rgb(255 #fff);display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:inherit;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;-webkit-transform:translateY(100%);-moz-transform:translateY(100%);-ms-transform:translateY(100%);transform:translateY(100%);-webkit-transition:-webkit-transform 600ms cubic-bezier(0.23 1);transition:transform 600ms cubic-bezier(0.23 #fff);padding:8px 12px 0;color:var(--sz-basic-text-color-primary #29293a);font-family:'SZSansDigital','Neue Helvetica','Helvetica',sans-serif;font-size:0.875rem;line-height:1.5;}.css-1vyk908 p{display:inline;}.css-1vyk908 small{color:var(--sz-basic-text-color-secondary #71737f);}.css-1vyk908 small{display:block;}.css-1vyk908 a{border-bottom:1px solid var(--sz-basic-text-color-primary #29293a);color:var(--sz-basic-text-color-primary #29293a);padding-bottom:2px;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-transition:border-bottom 150ms ease-in-out;transition:border-bottom 150ms ease-in-out;}.css-1vyk908 a:focus,.css-1vyk908 a:hover{border-bottom-color:transparent;}Die Nato rief auf ihrem Luftwaffenstützpunkt im nordrhein-westfälischen Geilenkirchen die zweithöchste Warnstufe aus Ein ernst zu nehmender Hinweis eines ausländischen Nachrichtendienstes „auf Vorbereitungshandlungen für einen wahrscheinlich russischen Sabotageakt gegen den Nato-Stützpunkt durch Einsatz einer Drohne“ hat nach Informationen der Deutschen Presse-Agentur in der vergangenen Woche zu Alarm auf dem Nato-Flugplatz Geilenkirchen bei Aachen geführt. Die dpa beruft sich dabei auf Informationen aus deutschen Sicherheitskreisen. Die Bundesregierung äußerte sich nicht zu dem Bericht; sie kommentiert Informationen, die auf Nachrichtendienste zurückgehen, üblicherweise nicht. Allerdings hatte der WDR bereits am Freitag berichtet, es habe kürzlich einen Hinweis eines ausländischen Nachrichtendienstes gegeben, wonach die Gefahr von Drohnenangriffen durch russische Akteure auf den Nato-Stützpunkt Geilenkirchen bestehe. Die Nato hatte daraufhin alle nicht zwingend für den Betrieb des Stützpunktes benötigten der etwa 1600 Mitarbeiter nach Hause geschickt, den Flugbetrieb aber planmäßig fortgeführt. Es handele sich um eine Vorsichtsmaßnahme, sagte ein Sprecher am Donnerstag, um „sicherzustellen, dass wir unsere kritischen Operationen fortsetzen können“. In Geilenkirchen sind als Teil eines multinationalen Verbandes der Verteidigungsallianz sogenannte Awacs-Maschinen stationiert. Die umgebauten Boeing-707-Flugzeuge tragen auf dem Rumpf ein auffälliges Suchradar mit neun Meter Durchmesser und dienen zur Luftraumüberwachung sowie als fliegende Befehlsstände. Nach knapp 24 Stunden hatte die Nato die Sicherheitsstufe wieder auf das zuvor geltende Niveau Bravo+ reduziert. Ein Sprecher des Stützpunktes hatte vergangene Woche gesagt, zur Art der Bedrohung werde nichts mitgeteilt. Spekulationen, der Flugplatz sei von einer Drohne überflogen worden, wies er aber als „absurd“ zurück: „Hier ist nichts drübergeflogen“, sagte er. Die Polizei Köln hatte Ermittlungen aufgenommen. Inzwischen gehen die Sicherheitsbehörden laut dem WDR-Bericht auch dem Verdacht nach, dass Industrieanlagen ausgespäht werden sollten. Die Staatsanwaltschaft Flensburg ermittle wegen des Verdachts der „Agententätigkeit zu Sabotagezwecken im Zusammenhang mit wiederholten Drohnenflügen über kritischer Infrastruktur in Schleswig-Holstein“. Dabei sollen möglicherweise auch militärisch Drohnen zum Einsatz gekommen sein. Nach einem Geheimdiensthinweis erhöht die Nato für ihre Airbase in Geilenkirchen für einen Tag die Sicherheitsstufe. Plante jemand Sabotage? Terror? Was über die Situation bekannt ist. In anspruchsvollen Berufsfeldern im Stellenmarkt der SZ. .css-5x0u19{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Gutscheine.css-pcxqtt{border:0;clip:rect(0 0 0 0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;white-space:nowrap;width:1px;}: The all-weather r-TWR solution provides the latest air traffic control technologies to the air base Saab’s first military digital air traffic control tower, r-TWR, has successfully started operating at Nato Air Base Geilenkirchen in Germany The new r-TWR has also received certification from the German Military Aviation Authority (Luftfahrtamt der Bundeswehr – LufABw) The new digital tower is capable of operating in all weather conditions and providing various latest air traffic control technologies to the airbase Saab’s r-TWR comprises a set of systems that are operated from a control room at the air base pan-tilt-zoom cameras and high-definition cameras sitting atop the mast to capture a 360° view of the airfield Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions CEO Per Ahl said: “This is an important milestone for Saab going operational with the digital air traffic solution within the military domain Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis “The digital tower provides a flexible and scalable solution that is proven to be suitable for military airbases as well as civilian airports of all sizes.” Geilenkirchen is the main operating base for Nato’s Boeing-developed E-3A airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft fleet the tower will also support the operations undertaken by different types of fighter aircraft and helicopters The digital air traffic solutions supply contract for Nato Air Base Geilenkirchen was awarded to Saab in June 2019 marking the manufacturer’s first military order for an operational digital tower Nato required the r-TWR to conduct live operations at the time of refurbishment of the existing control tower The r-TWR was originally introduced in 2015 and followed by the establishment of Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions in 2016 It is a joint venture between Saab and the Swedish Civil Aviation Administration Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network