Defcon 2, Fast Pace Or Red Alert Level

DEFCON 2, or Fast Pace, is a red colored condition level similar to a 'red alert' warning level status. Defcon 2 means we are at the next step to war or a nuclear threat. During this alert level the United States Armed Forces are ready and prepared to ship out in 6 hours time or less, hence the name "Fast Pace".

Defcon 2, or Fast Pace is the second highest condition level in the warning system, with only alert level 1 being higher. The alert status may be changed to this level after intelligence findings indicate a risk for an impending attack, such as the case in the Cuban missile crisis in 1962 when the alert status was changed to Fast Pace for the Strategic Air Command.

Defcon 2, or Fast Pace has been reached only once for the SAC, or strategic air command during the cold war Cuban missile crisis in October 26, 1962 after soviet missile pads were found in Cuba, but changed to alert level 3 after a short time.