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Missouri military bases on high alert

September 11, 2001
By: Julian Pecquet
State Capital Bureau

JEFFERSON CITY - September 11, 2001

Military bases across Missouri were on the highest state of alert today after terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C. A platoon of National Guardsmen from the Fulton area's 1137th Military Police Company was activated by Gov. Bob Holden on Tuesday and sent to guard the Missouri National Guard Training Center in Jefferson City.

"There are no reports of enemy threats in Missouri at this time," said Maj. James Ray, spokesman for the Missouri National Guard.

Military officials at Fort Leonard Wood Army Base and Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster would not give the specific alert status of Whiteman this evening.

Whiteman is home to the technologically sophisticated B-2 stealth bombers, which could be a potential target of a terrorist attack. However, the Air National Guard bases in St. Louis and St. Joseph and the Missouri National Guard training Center in Jefferson City were put on Threatcon Delta, the most severe military alert status.

Under Threatcon Delta, people who are allowed to enter a base can do so only under escort. Vehicles are searched and armed guards are posted at the gates.

Lt. Jamie Melchert, one of the more than 8,000 state guardsmen, was warned of the alert status today.

"What that means is that they'd better be able to contact you," said Melchert, 31, of Columbia.

The State Emergency Management Agency activated its Emergency Operations Center, which is located at the Missouri National Guard Training Center.

SEMA reported it would heighten security at all state levels.

Capt. Brett Ashworth, spokesman for Whiteman Air Force Base, said the base was not asked to provide assistance to the federal government.

"We have not received any request for support at this time, but we are ready to deploy at a moment's notice for any contingency," Ashworth said.