U.S. Command Launches Vigilance Campaign in Europe
U.S. European Command asks troops, families and civilian staff to watch for suspicious behavior and protect their digital footprints.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Terrorism
U.S. European Command has launched the "See Something, Do Something" campaign, calling on troops, family members and civilian employees to report suspicious behavior on and off military installations. The command did not identify a specific threat behind the initiative.
Why it matters
The campaign comes amid heightened concern about drone incursions and other hybrid threats to U.S. and allied forces in Europe. Russia's hybrid activity against U.S. forces and NATO allies has become more aggressive since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The announcement is an official military security notice, with more than 30,000 U.S. personnel stationed in Germany covered by its guidance. Command has not said what specific threat, if any, prompted the campaign.
The players
U.S. European Command
The U.S. military command responsible for American forces across Europe, which issued the vigilance campaign.
Germany
The European country that accused Russia of the failed Leipzig/Halle Airport drone attack and raised its sabotage threat assessment.
The details
Personnel are urged to vary commuting routes and travel times, stay alert in crowded transit hubs, and report unusual behavior or unattended items to military police or local authorities. Troops and families are also asked to review social-media privacy settings, disable geotagging on fitness apps and devices, and avoid posting location and travel information online.
Timeline
September 2026: Germany accused Russia of orchestrating a failed explosive-laden drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
October 2026: Germany raised its Russian sabotage threat assessment to "substantial."
November 6, 2026: U.S. European Command announced the See Something, Do Something campaign.
Seasonal Patterns
The campaign responds to Russia's hybrid activity against U.S. forces and NATO allies, which has grown more aggressive and disruptive since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It follows a pattern of heightened alerts in Europe as sabotage and drone incidents have multiplied.
Service members, family members and civilian employees should vary commuting routes and travel times and report unusual behavior or unattended items to military police or local authorities. Reviewing social-media privacy settings and turning off geotagging on fitness apps and mobile devices reduces the risk of exposing location and travel details.
The takeaway
Personal digital habits and everyday situational awareness are part of force protection, not just official security measures. Keeping routines unpredictable and limiting location sharing can make it harder for hostile actors to track or target people.
Further reading
For more on related security threats, see the Terrorism section.
