Every military installation in San Diego County remained on high alert Tuesday as the ongoing U.S. and Israeli military campaign in Iran entered its third day, bringing new security measures and fresh losses home for local military families.
Naval Base San Diego confirmed to CBS 8 that while no active threats have been reported on base, the Department of Defense has directed heightened security measures at all entry gates. The Trusted Traveler Program โ which allows expedited access for vetted personnel and their families โ has been suspended until further notice. Strict ID checks are now in effect, and significant delays should be expected at base entrances.
The same measures are in place at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, Naval Base Point Loma, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in the Midway District, and the U.S. Coast Guard facility near San Diego International Airport.
The San Diego-homeported USS Abraham Lincoln, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier based at NAS North Island, has been positioned in the Arabian Sea for weeks and served as a mobile airfield for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft during the operation in Iran. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed Monday to have struck the carrier with four ballistic missiles โ a claim the Pentagon flatly denied, stating the missiles did not come close to the ship.
As the conflict broadened across the Middle East, U.S. military officials confirmed that four American service members have been killed. Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said further casualties are expected. "We expect to take additional losses, and as always, we will work to minimize those losses. This is major combat operations," Caine said.
Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the administration's handling of the situation, warning that gas prices will rise as a result. "Every $10 increase in a barrel is roughly 24 cents per gallon that you'll be paying more," Newsom said. San Diego County has already seen prices creep upward at pumps in Santee and across the East County in recent days.
Families with service members stationed in San Diego are encouraged to monitor official communications from their respective commands for the latest access and security guidance.