Central Coast military installations increasing security in light of recent world events
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) UPDATE 01/07/20 10:13 p.m. Several Central Coast military installations have announced increased security measures. This comes after Iranian leaders vow revenge after a U.S. airstrike killed a top Iranian general.
The Presidio of Monterey is one such base increasing security measures due to what they call "recent world events.”
Military families KION spoke with Tuesday night think is necessary after a airstrike killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani.
“I think it’s a good thing, yeah, for everyone’s safety,” Seaside resident Juliet Chapman said.
Chapman’s husband and father are retired military personnel. She said it’s important to be prepared for what retaliation may come next.
“I think there’s concern everywhere, especially in the bigger cities,” Chapman said. “And I think we need to be careful because it’s going to happen.”
The Presidio and other bases started preparing before Tuesday’s Iranian missile attack on Iraqi bases that house US troops.
Former Secretary of Defense and Central Coast native Leon Panetta warned about this kind of retaliation in an interview with CNN Monday.
“I think they are intent on seeking vengeance here. I think they are planning some kind of attack. There area a number of targets obviously between our troop presence in Syria, our troop presence in Iraq, in Kuwait, in the gulf," Panetta said to Jake Tapper.
The Presidio of Monterey took to Facebook to share news of the increased security measures Monday. Escort privileges are temporarily suspended there. Those wishing to enter the presidio will be required to have official Department of Defense identification. Visitors will be vetted and are required to have a government-issued ID.
People KION spoke with in Monterey also have growing concerns about safety here in the US.
“In major cities, yeah, I do think it’s a concern. I was just in Hawaii in December for Pearl Harbor and went and visited that and they didn’t see that coming,” said Helleren Gregory, who is visiting Monterey.
The Presidio of Monterey says there are no changes to vehicle or pedestrian gate hours, but plan for delays due to increased security measures.
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Several Central Coast military installations have announced increased security measures starting Monday and Tuesday in light of recent world events.
At the Presidio of Monterey, all personnel trying to enter will be required to have an official Department of Defense identification, that includes CAC, retiree, dependent and DBIDS cards. Escort privileges are suspended temporarily, and all non-DOD ID holding visitors will be vetted at the Bolio Gate Visitor Control Center. They will be required to have a form of government-issued ID. There will not be any changes to gate hours, but the Presidio said there may be delays because of increased security measures.
Fort Hunter Liggett announced that the Trusted Traveler program is suspended there and at Camp Parks. Visitors without a DOD ID will be veted at the visitor control centers at both locations. Gate hours for both locations will stay the same, but Fort Hunter Liggett said to plan for delays because of the increased security measures,
The Naval Postgraduate School has not announced any changes at this time.
For more information about measures at the Presidio Of Monterey, click here or call 831-242-7760.
On Tuesday, at least 10 rockets hit al-Asad airbase in Iraq, which houses US forces, a Sunni commander of the paramilitary forces in a nearby town told CNN.
