Security was stepped up temporarily at a NATO air base in Germany because of a ‘potential threat’ Boston 25 News [Video]

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, the alliance said.

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. It said operations continued as planned.

The Geilenkirchen air base, near the border with the Netherlands, is where the alliance’s Airborne Warning and Control System, or AWACS, surveillance aircraft are stationed.

On Friday afternoon, a post on the NATO AWACS fleet’s X account said that the security level had returned to its previous level. It said the temporary rise was “a precautionary measure.”

“All scheduled operations are proceeding as planned,” it added.

German news agency dpa said that a reporter saw police cars on and around the …