A series of travel restrictions for U.S. military personnel, their families and Defense Department civilians and contractors in France and Belgium were lifted yesterday evening due to improved security conditions, Pentagon officials said.
"U.S. European Command has rescinded the travel restrictions to Paris and Brussels," stated an announcement posted to the U.S. European Command's Facebook page. "However, all DoD personnel are advised to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings, and encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the proper authorities."
A travel ban to France was enacted after the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris and was later downgraded to a ban only on travel to the city, or a 30-mile radius of the city. The Brussels travel ban was put in place Nov. 24 in response to a "serious and imminent" terrorist attack threat in that city. Personnel there were instructed to "shelter in place and remain at home," the announcement said.
A travel ban to Turkey put effective Nov. 10 remains intact.
--Amy Bushatz can be reached at amy.bushatz@military.com.
