Following Saturday’s joint U.S./Israel attacks on Iran, American military bases in the Carolinas are enacting larger security measures.
Shortly after the bombings commenced on Saturday, Shaw AFB in Sumter announced that its military personnel will, temporarily, not be allowed to wear their uniforms off base. Before leaving, even on short trips or errands, Shaw personnel will have to change into civilian attire.
The base has also suspended its Trusted Traveler program, which allows certain visitors, like retired service members, easier access. Trusted Traveler visitors now will have to check in at Shaw’s main gate with REAL-ID-compliant identification and be given Department of Defense permission to enter.
In a statement, Shaw’s Chief of Public Affairs Capt. James Stewart said: “The 20th Fighter Wing is committed to ensuring the safety and security of our service members, their families, and the entire base community is our top priority. The recent adjustments to our force protection posture, including the temporary suspension of wearing military uniforms off installation, are prudent measures to ensure the continued safety of our personnel and are not in response to any specific, credible threat in the local area. We appreciate the strong, ongoing support we receive from our community.”
On Sunday, U.S. military commanders ordered tighter security checks at American bases. While similar security restrictions to Shaw’s, regarding visitors, were announced at bases in North Carolina (Fort Bragg, Camp Lejeune, and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point) neither Fort Jackson nor Joint Base Charleston had announced additional security measures as of press time.
No other base in the Carolina’s has taken extra measures to ban the off-installation wearing of service uniforms.
