Security conditions at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst were abruptly elevated Tuesday to Force Protection Condition (FPCON) Charlie, prompting huge changes to the base’s defensive posture at one of the nation’s most critical military installations.

The move from FPCON Bravo to Charlie is not routine. It indicates that either an incident has occurred or intelligence has been received suggesting that a form of terrorist activity targeting military personnel or facilities is likely.

The move was reportedly prompted by “multiple suspicious packages” that have been found on the base. Additional information was not immediately available.

FPCON Charlie represents a serious but temporary security posture, typically maintained only as long as a specific threat remains credible. Should the situation escalate further, the installation could move to FPCON Delta, the highest level of force protection, reserved for imminent or ongoing attacks.