Posted on May 30, 2021
How do I find out the FPCON level of a country that doesn't have a military base (Iceland)?
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Long story short, my command is going to approve my OCONUS leave to Iceland if I can give them some documentation about the FPCON level. Searched the internet a ton and found nothing about what level they'd be at. I'd imagine them to be in FPCON Alpha since they never had a terrorist attack, no standing army, and have no known enemies. If anyone can give me direction regarding any documentation that I can submit, I'd greatly appreciate it. Anxious to be able to travel again.
Leave
Military Family
Leisure and Travel
Marines
Iceland
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
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Force Protection levels are for US forces, you can't apply a Force Protection level to a different country, that's not what FPCON means.
"The FPCON level is set by each major command using threat intelligence. In the United States, U.S. Northern Command sets the FPCON level. Installation commanders may raise the FPCON level for their installations in response to local threats and activity but can’t lower it below NORTHCOM’s direction."
You can show your command the documentation that they are using the term FPCON incorrectly and may want to use the DOD Terrorist Threat Level to determine safety instead.
https://www.dla.mil/AboutDLA/News/NewsArticleView/Article/2052437/security-officials-caution-employees-to-be-aware-of-force-protection-conditions/
"The FPCON level is set by each major command using threat intelligence. In the United States, U.S. Northern Command sets the FPCON level. Installation commanders may raise the FPCON level for their installations in response to local threats and activity but can’t lower it below NORTHCOM’s direction."
You can show your command the documentation that they are using the term FPCON incorrectly and may want to use the DOD Terrorist Threat Level to determine safety instead.
https://www.dla.mil/AboutDLA/News/NewsArticleView/Article/2052437/security-officials-caution-employees-to-be-aware-of-force-protection-conditions/
Security officials caution employees to be aware of force protection conditions
As military installations tighten security in response to heightened activity in the Middle East, Defense Logistics Agency security officials are reminding employees to be aware of force protection
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Sgt Dennis Doty
You might try contacting the U.S. Embassy in Reykjavik. Patrick Geraghty is the Public Affairs Officer and Philip Davidson is the Regional Security Officer.
U.S. Embassy in Reykjavik, Iceland
Address.
Laufásvegur 21. 101 Reykjavík. Iceland.
Telephone.
(+ [login to see] .
Fax.
Email.
[login to see] . [login to see] .
U.S. Embassy in Reykjavik, Iceland
Address.
Laufásvegur 21. 101 Reykjavík. Iceland.
Telephone.
(+ [login to see] .
Fax.
Email.
[login to see] . [login to see] .
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CW2 (Join to see)
Sgt Dennis Doty - Probably don't want to call the RSO direct, that's like cold calling a BDE Commander. Most RSO are equivalent to a Full Bird.
Use the FCG and contact the Defense Attache NCO/PO, but not the SDO/DATT.
Use the FCG and contact the Defense Attache NCO/PO, but not the SDO/DATT.
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I would start with the embassy. That is your belly button you should seek and the Foreign Area Officer if there is one.
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PO2 (Join to see) Way too long ago when I was a FP Officer, I routinely went to NCIS if I had any questions on FPCON. The base FP office, of whatever base you are on, should have a list, as well. Everything I looked at on state.gov is virus related.
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PO2 (Join to see)
Appreciate the insight Sir. I will try our security office on Tuesday. I normally look at the foreign clearance guide, State Dept travel advisories, and the US embassy site whenever I put in for OCONUS leave. However as you mentioned, it is all completely virus related at the moment.
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LT Brad McInnis
PO2 (Join to see) - I was right after 9/11 so a lot of the stuff has changed. What i would tell you is your command will probably squash travel because of COVID, unless you are fully vaccinated. Something to think about. Have fun!
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https://travel.state.gov is the best place to go to find threat information. It doesn't have "FPCON" but it was the universally accepted threat assessment when I was doing country clearances in the as part of my S2 duties.
However, if that is not enough to appease your Commander, US does have a military base in Iceland - sort of.
We no longer own or operate Keflavik, but we (essentially) "rent space" there for a few Navy and AF aircraft. As far as I can tell, it is still officially a NATO asset.
I am guessing that someone, somewhere in the US military has a threat assessment for the air base. That may be a place to start.
However, if that is not enough to appease your Commander, US does have a military base in Iceland - sort of.
We no longer own or operate Keflavik, but we (essentially) "rent space" there for a few Navy and AF aircraft. As far as I can tell, it is still officially a NATO asset.
I am guessing that someone, somewhere in the US military has a threat assessment for the air base. That may be a place to start.
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The only information that you should be able to find is whether or not there are travel restrictions. Army Europe would have this information on their website.
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Generally, in the Army, the S2 (security/intel section) gives soldiers a threat briefing, basically whatever is on the State Department website and then there's some website as well that gives a number to put on the leave form for OCONUS travel but I don't remember what it is.
Any time you're going to do OCONUS leave, you should probably stop by your security office, especially if you have a clearance.
Any time you're going to do OCONUS leave, you should probably stop by your security office, especially if you have a clearance.
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Foreign travel usually entails APACS approval, N2 briefing, and use of the Foreign Clearance Guide (FCG)....even if only going to Canada or Iceland i.e. "safe" countries.
Look up Iceland in the FCG, that will tell you requirements and things like a FPCON. It will also say what you a a servicemember not on official duty (aka leave) needs to do to enter, as well as phone numbers and addresses of embassies, SDO, etc
Ask your N2 for a country briefing for leave.
The FCG will also say if you need to put in an APACS request (which is smart to do no matter what country, just in case something happens - they know you're there and need to get you out)
Look up Iceland in the FCG, that will tell you requirements and things like a FPCON. It will also say what you a a servicemember not on official duty (aka leave) needs to do to enter, as well as phone numbers and addresses of embassies, SDO, etc
Ask your N2 for a country briefing for leave.
The FCG will also say if you need to put in an APACS request (which is smart to do no matter what country, just in case something happens - they know you're there and need to get you out)
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PO2 (Join to see)
Appreciate the insight Sir. My apacs request was approved. I think since I'm the first at my command requesting oconus leave since February 2020, my leadership is just being extra careful.
Someone on here mentioned that fpcon only applies to bases, not necessarily countries. So I'm going to tactfully use the link that person provided and will pass it up. Appreciate the feedback and help Sir.
Someone on here mentioned that fpcon only applies to bases, not necessarily countries. So I'm going to tactfully use the link that person provided and will pass it up. Appreciate the feedback and help Sir.
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CW2 (Join to see)
PO2 (Join to see) just use the printout from the FCG. Can't get more official than that
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The army has you approve oconus leave with a threat assessment from G2 and risk approval by GO command level if it is elevated.
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Check with the US EMBASSY in Reykjavik to see if there is a Force Protection Detachment. If so, contact them with your questions.
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