Intruder breached Air Force One base, shot fired

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WASHINGTON — Another intruder entered the home of Air Force One, one of the nation’s most sensitive military bases, and this time a resident opened fire on the intruder, Joint Base Andrews said in a statement. announcement Monday evening.

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In the incident, which occurred around 11:30 a.m. Monday, “a man entered a JBA condominium without permission.” Joint Base Andrews said in a statement posted on Twitter.. “A resident fired a gun, security personnel arrived on scene to apprehend the intruder and law enforcement are investigating the incident.”

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Joint Base Andrews is home to the presidential fleet of blue and white aircraft, including Air Force One, Marine One and the 747 “Doomsday” aircraft, which can serve as airborne nuclear command and control centers when needed.

The Air Force said Monday night it had nothing to add other than Andrews’ explanation of Monday’s burglary.

This isn’t the first time base security has been breached; In February 2021, a man entered the facility through the military checkpoint and then through additional fenced security perimeters to access the airline and board a C-40, the 737 equivalent of the army used to pilot government officials.

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This intruder was arrested because the “mouse ears” hat he was wearing seemed odd to an observant airman.

An Inspector General’s investigation revealed three major security lapses, starting with ‘human error’ by a guard at the gate that allowed the man to walk to the base when he was not had no access permission. Hours later, the man walked through the airline undetected by slipping through a fence meant to restrict access. Eventually, he entered and exited a parked plane without being asked, even though he was not wearing a mandatory badge that would allow access to the restricted area.

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