Deciding threat levels Published Oct. 8, 2008 By Master Sgt. Yuvonne Fischer 5th Bomb Wing antiterrorism office MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Currently, Minot AFB is in FPCON ALPHA, where an increased general threat of possible terrorist activity exists against personnel or facilities, the nature and extent of which are unpredictable. To determine Minot AFB's Force Protection Condition posture, four factors were considered: a terrorist's operational capability, intentions, activity, and the operating environment. Analysts evaluate the influencing elements for each factor to determine where installations fall on the Threat Level System. For example, when reviewing the operating environment, we have to ask ourselves who does it currently favor? Obviously, we have the upper hand in this category because we maintain strict control over our surrounding and installation environments. A combination of the four factors determines where we fall on the Threat Level System. The system has standardized terms used to quantify the level of terrorist threats. These levels are defined as: low, moderate, significant and high. Similarly, the Department of Homeland Security has a system in place to disseminate threat information throughout the country. The Homeland Security Advisory System is a means to disseminate information regarding the risk of terrorist acts to federal, state, and local authorities and to the American people. The advisory contains actionable information about an incident involving, or a threat targeting, critical national networks or infrastructures or key assets. They could, for example, relay newly developed procedures that, when implemented, would significantly improve security or protection. They could also suggest a change in readiness posture, protective actions, or response. The U.S. government's national threat level is currently at the ELEVATED or Yellow. Airports and airlines are at the HIGH or Orange level for all domestic and international flights. For more information about the Homeland Security Advisory System, logon to www.dhs.gov.