San Diego : Navy Takes Anti-Terrorist Steps at Bases

Traffic backed up for as much as a mile at approaches to three Navy bases here Friday morning as commanders ordered increased security precautions to protect against potential terrorist retaliation resulting from U.S. clashes with Libya in the Gulf of Sidra.

The Navy reluctantly confirmed that car-by-car identification checks, and some “random searches,” were being made at all 11 Navy and Marine Corps installations in the area in response to a message received Thursday from the Pacific Fleet commander, Adm. Ace Lyons. Military spokesmen declined to describe the nature of the message, except that it “talked about physical security at our installations.”

The Navy only confirmed that security measures were increased after San Diego police issued a citywide traffic alert, warning of miles-long delays near the entrances to the three largest bases--the 32nd Street Naval Station, the Miramar Naval Air Station and the North Island Naval Air Station.

Eased by Mid-Morning

By mid-morning, the traffic problems had eased, spokesmen for police and the California Department of Transportation said.

Capt. Peter Litrenta, press spokesman for area Navy bases, said Friday’s precautions are not out of the ordinary. Since 1983, he said, the Navy has “been increasing security all along.”

Litrenta, who declined to say whether Lyons’ message was directed specifically at San Diego-area bases, said individual base commanders have periodically instituted measures like those in effect Friday. Navy spokesmen would not say how long they will continue the stepped-up security.

John Palafoutas, a Washington-based administrative assistant to U.S. Rep Duncan L. Hunter (R-Coronado), said the congressman, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, has been assured that there are no specific threats aimed at San Diego. He said the Navy confirmed that the security was beefed up as a result of Libyan threats.

Security Tightened Elsewhere

Intelligence officials said earlier that security has been tightened at U.S. posts in Europe, the Middle East and Latin America since this week’s military clashes with Libya.

“The hesitant response that we got from the Navy is that they are just increasing security all over the place,” Palafoutas said.

The U.S. 6th Fleet, which sank at least two Libyan patrol boats and damaged a missile base after U.S. warplanes were fired upon, has ended maneuvers in the Gulf of Sidra. But Libya’s official radio Wednesday called on Arabs to form “suicide squads” to attack U.S. installations and embassies worldwide.

Most of the 11 San Diego-area Marine and Navy bases, which employ 23,000 civilians and 100,000 military personnel, are normally open to traffic.

Lt. John Semcken, a spokesman for Miramar Naval Air Station, said he had no problem getting into the base and noted that security is always tight.

Sgt. Ed Smith of the San Diego police traffic division said the police department was alerted Thursday evening to the planned military searches.

“There’s nothing you can do to prepare,” he said. “We called in the motorcycle squad early just to keep the intersections clear when the lights change.”