Force Protection Conditions

The Force Protection Condition (FPCON) system describes progressive levels of security measures to use when military installations are threatened by a terrorist attack. The U.S. Central Command uses FPCONs to standardize threat and readiness conditions across the armed forces. FPCON levels are different from defense readiness condition (DEFCON) levels, which determine military deployment levels for incidents likely to have civilian casualties. Different locations usually have different FPCON levels, which are assigned taking into consideration the assets and infrastructures that may appeal to a terrorist group, how vulnerable the place may be to an attack, and the ability to recover and respond.

The FPCON system replaced an earlier system of “terrorist threat conditions” or THREATCONs. That terminology was changed in July 2001 to avoid confusion with the State Department's Threat Advisory System. However, many contemporary reports on the 9/11 attacks still used the term “THREATCON.” The terminology became even more complicated with the establishment of the Homeland Security Advisory System in 2002, which uses five colors to indicate the danger of an attack on U.S. soil.

The first two of the five force protection threat conditions are general. The first level, FPCON (or THREATCON) Normal, means that a general threat exists but that security should be routine. FPCON Alpha—a slightly stronger, but unpredictable, terrorist threat—means that officials have not gathered enough intelligence to justify implementing the next level of security measures. Military personnel should be suspicious of strangers and alert for unidentified vehicles and abandoned packages or luggage. The military should secure all storage rooms and other areas not in regular use and increase spot checks on vehicles entering the area. This level may be maintained indefinitely.

An increased and more predictable threat leads to the third level—FPCON Bravo. All of the Alpha measures apply to this level. In addition, cars must be kept at least 25 meters from buildings, and all mail must be examined. Personnel must inspect buildings and visitors, and random patrols must check vehicles, people, and buildings. Anti-terrorist personnel must be on call.

The fourth level, FPCON Charlie, is assigned when an incident occurs or when officials gain intelligence about an imminent terrorist attack. All anti-terrorist personnel are called in to duty, access points are severely restricted, vehicles are searched, and guards are issued weapons.

The fifth and highest level, FPCON Delta, is applied to the immediate area where a terrorist attack has occurred, or when officials learn that an attack on that location is likely. More guards are called to duty at this level, and all people and vehicles in a military installation must be positively identified. The military will consult with local authorities about closing roads and facilities that could be vulnerable. The fifth level doesn't always apply to a single location. After the September 11 attacks, for example, the Pentagon declared FPCON Delta, the strongest possible level, for U.S. forces around the world, not just in New York and Washington, D.C.