U.S. Northern Command has ordered heightened security at installations around the country, including in Hampton Roads. The move follows attacks in Las Vegas and New Orleans over the holiday.
The changes include suspending the Trusted Traveler program at base entrances. The Federal program allows drivers with proper military or Department of Defense IDs to vouch for other passengers in the car. All passengers above 18 must now show a valid IDuntil further notice. Other security measures are also being put in place.
“This is a prudent measure to ensure the safety and security of our installations and personnel. This may have the potential to cause delays for personnel or visitors entering installations,” according to a statement from Northern Command. The command covers all bases inside the United States.
The attacker in New Orleans, Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, served eight years in the Army. Matthew Livelsberger was an active duty member of the Army Special Forces. He died by suicided outside a Trump property in Las Vegas, in a truck that exploded. Separately, the two men had been posted at Fort Liberty in North Carolina. The former Fort Bragg is one of the largest bases in the United States.
Authorities have not made any connection between the two attackers or their ties to the military.
“We are not aware of any threats to any installations at this time,” the statement from Northern Command said.
Specific rules have been posted by bases around the country since Friday, when Northern Command called for tighter security. Longer lines are expected at base entrances and the changes have been put in place indefinitely, according to the Pentagon.
