TRAINEE GUIDE - Recruit Training Command - The US Navy

Shipboard Force Protection Conditions (FPCONS)
1. FPCON ALPHA - Is declared when a general threat of possible terrorist activity
exists.
a. Security measures must be capable of being maintained indefinitely.
b. Shipboard watches and pier sentries are armed and equipped with communication
devices.
c. Access to ship and pier is limited to include vehicles and small boats.
2. FPCON BRAVO - Is declared when a more predictable threat of terrorist activity
exists.
a. Security measures must be capable of being maintained for weeks without
affecting operational capability.
b. Maintain appropriate FPCON ALPHA measures.
c. Be suspicious of strangers, unattended vehicles, abandoned packages, and unusual
activity and notify the duty officer.
d. Prepare warning tape in both English and the local language to warn small craft
to remain clear of the ship.
e. Place additional armed sentries on the superstructure and the quarterdeck,
prepare armed boat crews, and place them on 15 minute alert.
f. Maintain one brow for limited access to ship.
3. FPCON CHARLIE - Is declared when an incident occurs or intelligence is received
indicating that some form of terrorist action against installations and personnel
is imminent.
a. Implementation of this threat condition for more than a short period will
probably create hardship for the ship and personnel.
b. Maintain appropriate ALPHA and BRAVO conditions.
c. Cancel liberty and prepare to get underway in one hour’s notice.
d. Establish machine gun positions and deploy shoulder fired STINGER surface-to-air
missiles.
e. Deploy armed boat crews and a helicopter to act as an observation/gun platform.
f. Energize radar and sonar systems.
4. FPCON DELTA - Is declared when a terrorist attack has occurred in the immediate
area intelligence has been received that indicates a terrorist action against a
specific location or person is likely.
a. Maintain appropriate ALPHA, BRAVO, and CHARLIE conditions.
b. Prepare to get underway.
c. Post sentries with machine gun to cover helicopter-landing areas.
d. Deploy grenade launchers to cover approaches to ship.