A Schofield Barracks official said the post security threat level had not been increased due to the shootings today at Fort Hood.

"No, it has not changed," said Rebecca Ellison, an Army spokeswoman at Schofield. "Our security is pretty tight anyway, and so they are pretty vigilant at our gates."

U.S. Pacific Command at Camp Smith, which sets the minimum "force protection" condition levels for Hawaii and the Asia and Pacific theater, said the threat level remains at "Alpha" — near the low end on a scale that includes "Normal, "Alpha," "Bravo," "Charlie" and "Delta."

"Normal" applies when there is no credible threat of terrorist activity, and requires only a routine security posture.

"Alpha" applies when there is a "general threat" possible against personnel and/or installations — the nature and extent of which is unpredictable.

Most military installations in Hawaii have been at force protection level Alpha for many months.

"No change has been made," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Chuck Bell, a spokesman for U.S. Pacific Command. "We're always paying attention to what's going on throughout the (region). I can't predict whether or not anything would change."

Following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Pentagon ordered military bases nationwide to the highest terrorist threat security alert, Delta, a level of caution not seen in the Pacific since the 1990 Gulf War.

Hawaii Air National Guard F-15 fighters escorted inbound commercial flights and Navy ships were ordered out of Pearl Harbor in response to the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com.