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US military family among wounded in Islamic State-claimed Brussels attack
http://www.stripes.com/news/europe/us-military-family-among-wounded-in-islamic-state-claimed-brussels-attack-1.400434 Laurie Dieffembacq/Belga/Zuma Press/TNS
By John Vandiver
Stars and Stripes
Published: March 22, 2016
Bombs exploded Tuesday at the Brussels airport and in the city's subway, killing at least 31 people and wounding dozens, as a European capital was again locked down amid heightened security threats. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attacks.
[In the aftermath of the Brussels attacks, a sign reads "share your love" in front of the Bourse in Brussels on Tuesday, March 22, 2016. Kevin Van den Panhuyzen/NurPhoto/Sipa USA/TNS]
Stories about the March 22, 2016 attacks in Brussels
More coverage of the bombing attacks in Brussels that killed dozens of people on Tuesday, March 22, 2016.
STUTTGART, Germany — A U.S. military family was among the scores wounded in a series of bombings in Brussels Tuesday claimed by the Islamic State group that killed more than 30 people, prompting a temporary travel restriction to the country for all American forces, U.S. European Command said.
“We are aware of one U.S. servicemember and his family who were caught up in this tragedy. Due to privacy concerns, we are not releasing the status of their injuries at this time,” said Lt. Col. Dave Westover, a EUCOM spokesman.
The servicemember is an Air Force lieutenant colonel, The Associated Press reported, citing unidentified U.S. officials.
To confirm the safety of all U.S. military personnel and families, including those on pre-approved leave and business travel, EUCOM is requiring all subordinate commands and units to account for their personnel, Westover said. U.S. Army Europe also advised any troops traveling in the Brussels area to make immediate contact with their unit.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the United States is working to account for all U.S. civilians and servicemembers in Belgium.
Three missionaries from Utah were seriously injured in the airport attack, Mormon church officials said, and have been hospitalized.
The EUCOM travel restriction applies to all uniformed personnel and civilian staff.
“We are working closely with our interagency partners and host nation counterparts to determine the appropriate steps to ensure the safety and security of all U.S. personnel,” Westover, said.
Earlier Tuesday, EUCOM, USAREUR and the U.S. Embassy in Belgium were advising personnel in the Brussels area to avoid public transportation “until further notice.”
At military installations in Belgium, security guards were operating in a state of heightened alert.
“The USAG Benelux Directorate of Emergency Services is asking visitors to be patient and understanding as they access military facilities,” said U.S. Army Garrison Benelux, in a Facebook post.
Brussels is home to the headquarters of the U.S.-led NATO alliance.
Carter told a House Armed Services Committee hearing that “in the face of these acts of terrorism, the United States stands in strong solidarity with our strong ally Belgium.” He added that the United States stands ready to provide assistance to allies in Europe as necessary.
“No attack can shake our resolve to accelerate the defeat of ISIL,” Carter said, using an acronym for the Islamic State group, which claimed responsibility for the Brussels attacks.
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO secretary-general, said his headquarters is now operating in a state of heightened alert.
“We remain vigilant and continue to monitor the situation very closely,” Stoltenberg said.
Calling the bombings a “cowardly attack,” Stoltenberg said, “We all stand together with our ally Belgium on this dark day.”
The U.S. Embassy recommended sheltering in place and avoiding all public transportation.
At least 11 people were killed and 81 injured in twin explosions at Zaventem Airport, local media reported. Another explosion at the Maelbeek metro near the European Union headquarters left 20 dead and 106 wounded.
The U.S. Embassy said the threat rating in Belgium was raised to its highest level, “Level 4,” meaning a “serious and imminent attack.”
Germany tightened border controls, particularly with Belgium, and increased security at “sensitive targets” such as airports and train stations, where federal police were carrying “special equipment,” a federal police spokesman said, without elaborating.
At Frankfurt Airport, only flights to and from Brussels were canceled. Other flights were not affected, a spokesman said.
