San Diego bases boost security after Iran strikes
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Sunrise view of Coronado Bridge. Photo: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
The U.S. military operation against Iran has led to increased security at military bases in San Diego, potentially causing traffic and other delays at base entrances.
Why it matters: San Diego is a military hub with multiple Navy and Marine bases, and those bases have received additional "force protection measures" after the weekend's attacks, according to U.S. Northern Command, which oversees all stateside military units.
Threat level: The Department of Defense has not increased the force protection level due to an increased probability of a terrorist or other attack, Becky Farmer, a spokesperson for U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), said in a statement to Axios.
- But, "based on world events," NORTHCOM has called for 11 additional security measures at bases, she said.
- "As the threat level increases, security gets tighter, with measures such as restricted access, more patrols and thorough screening," she said.
Yes, but: "For us, things are pretty much normal," Kevin Dixon, a spokesperson for Naval Base Coronado, told Axios.
- Base security has increased, Dixon said, but he couldn't specify how for security reasons.
- "Any time base security increases, it has the potential to increase traffic, but we haven't seen that so far," he said.
Zoom in: Local military families have been informed of additional security measures, including ID checks and bag restrictions, at off-base facilities like Navy Exchange mini marts and child care centers, according to Navy emails reviewed by Axios.
- Some reported longer commutes across the Coronado Bridge.
Context: Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado is the home port for three aircraft carriers, including the USS Abraham Lincoln, which launched jet attacks against Iran on Saturday.
- The Lincoln deployed in November, less than a year after its last deployment, according to USNI News.
- Over the weekend, the Iranian military claimed the carrier was struck with ballistic missiles, but a post on X from the U.S. military denied that claim.
- "The missiles launched didn't even come close," the post said.
Catch up quick: Over the weekend, the massive U.S.-Israel military operation in Iran killed dozens of senior Iranian political and military officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
- More than 100 U.S. military aircraft and Navy ships participated in the first wave of missile strikes, which prompted swift retaliation.
- At least six U.S. service members have been killed in action following the attack as of Monday afternoon, and President Trump warned more will likely die before the operation ends.
- The conflict directly involves at least 11 countries, and that could expand as Trump said Operation Epic Fury is designed to last four to five weeks.
Go deeper: Iran conflict could worsen America's affordability crisis