A travel ban is in place for U.S. military personnel planning to go to Paris.
Unofficial travel to Paris is prohibited, — including leave, liberty and special pass, — and includes a 50-kilometer radius around the city. The travel restriction, implemented in the aftermath of Friday's deadly attacks in Paris, applies to all Defense Department personnel, according to a statement from U.S. European Command.
Personnel on official travel or emergency leave to Paris or elsewhere in France will need approval from a general officer, according to EUCOM.
In addition, DoD personnel who wish to go on unofficial travel elsewhere in France also will also need approval from a general officer, according to EUCOM.
The policy applies to military personnel, DoD civilian employees, contractors and command-sponsored dependents and family members. The policy also applies to cruise-ship shore excursions but does not apply to military personnel assigned to diplomatic posts in France and individuals who have commercial airline connections in the country and will not leave the secure portions of airport terminals, according to the statement from EUCOM.
The travel restriction is a "precautionary measure" to keep personnel and families safe in light of the recent attacks, EUCOM said. It also is an effort to help minimize tourist traffic at the borders in France, and particularly in Paris, as French authorities continue their investigation.
"My deepest sympathies go out to the people of Paris and France, and all those impacted by these horrific terror attacks," said Air Force Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, commander of EUCOM and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, in a statement released Saturday. "I have contacted the French chief of defense and offered to assist in any way our military can. We will continue to stand beside our oldest NATO ally to deter, disrupt and defeat terrorists who threaten our values, freedoms and way of life."
A series of coordinated attacks across Paris on Friday night killed 129 people and injured more than 300.
As the investigation unfolds, France has launched "massive" air strikes on the Islamic State group's de-factor capital in Syria, while local authorities in France and elsewhere continue to hunt for more members of the sleeper cell that carried out Friday's attacks, according to the Associated Press.
