High state of preparedness (3,5)

I believe the answer is:

red alert

(Other definitions for red alert that I've seen before include "State of readiness for imminent threat" , "Scarlet warning of imminent danger?" , "Severe 1 dn" , "State of readiness for imminent crisis" , "Highest level of warning" .)

I've seen this clue in The Wall Street Journal.

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