On Friday, January 3 USNORTHCOM suspended the “Trusted Traveler Program” throughout the command’s area of responsibility (continental United States and Alaska) following the two terrorist attacks in the United States on January 1. The program allowed Department of Defense employees and those in uniform to vouch for the occupants of their vehicles or those accompanying them when walking on to military bases. (Note: This program is not associated with the Department of Homeland Security’s Trusted Traveler Program). Individual bases are issuing specific guidance via their public affairs portals.
Military Base ID Checks
All personnel entering a U.S. military base will undergo 100% identification checks, including dependents traveling with their DoD sponsor. Those without DoD identification will need to be processed as visitors at the respective facility’s Visit Control Center. Visitors may be preregistered via the DBIDS Visitor Enrollment System (which will speed up the process considerably). Random inspections at all points of entry will be taking place, and one should expect there to be delays getting on to military bases in USNORTHCOM’s area of responsibility.
This security adjustment follows similar steps taken in mid-2024 for U.S. bases in Europe, when USEUCOM raised their Force Protection Condition to “Condition Charlie” in light of the potential for terrorist activity targeting both personnel and facilities in the region.
New Orleans
The New Orleans attack had Shamsud-Din Jabbar, an Army veteran (Active duty 2007-15; reserve 2015-2020), drove a truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing and injuring. Preliminary information that has been shared by law enforcement indicates that Jabbar is a supporter of ISIS, as evidenced by the ISIS flag, which was mounted on the rear of the truck, and a series of videos where he espoused his support and indicated he planned to join the terrorist organization.
Las Vegas
The Las Vegas attack had Matthew Livelsberger, Master Sergeant (E-8) on an active-duty Green Beret in the U.S. Army (2006-2011 and then 2012-2025). Livelsberger was on authorized leave from the 10th Special Forces Group located in Stuttgart, Germany. His manifesto, which is being widely shared, paints a picture of a deeply troubled individual who “felt” that his attack would wake people up. Among his grievances included his personal paranoia that he was under constant surveillance by the FBI and DHS and his disillusion with the U.S. military and government.
USNORTHCOM Mission
The USNORTHCOM is located at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO. The command’s mission includes homeland defense and civil support missions. North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is also the USNORTHCOM commander. When the command’s assistence is requested, “An emergency must exceed the capabilities of local, state, and federal agencies before USNORTHCOM becomes involved. In most cases, support will be limited, localized, and specific.”
