Intruder breaches Air Force One base, shot fired

WASHINGTON (AP) — Another intruder has breached the home of Air Force One, one of the most sensitive military bases in the country, and this time a resident opened fire on the intruder, Joint Base Andrews said in a statement late Monday.

During the incident, which took place around 11:30 a.m. Monday, “a man gained unauthorized entry into a JBA housing area,” Joint Base Andrews said in a statement posted to Twitter. “A resident fired a firearm, security personnel have arrived at the scene to apprehend the intruder and law enforcement is investigating the incident.”

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

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

It’s not the first time the base’s security has been breached; In February 2021, a man entered the facility through the military checkpoint, then through additional fenced security perimeters to gain access to the airline and board a C-40, the military’s 737-equivalent aircraft used to fly government officials.

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

An inspector general’s investigation revealed three major safety deficiencies, beginning with “human error” by a guard at the gate who allowed the man to drive onto the base despite not having access clearance. Hours later, the man walked the airline undetected by slipping through a fence meant to restrict access. Eventually, he walked in and out of a parked plane without being asked, even though he was not wearing a mandatory badge that would allow access to the restricted area.

Tara Copp, The Associated Press

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