Intruder Breaches Top-Security at Military Base Home to Air Force One

An intruder breached the housing area at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, according to reports.

Joint Base Andrews is one of America’s most sensitive military bases, which holds Air Force One and the “doomsday” 747 aircraft.

A resident reportedly opened fire on the trespasser, Joint Base Andrews said in a Monday statement.

“At around 11:30 a.m. today, Feb. 6, a man gained unauthorized access to a JBA housing area. A resident discharged a firearm, security forces arrived on scene to apprehend the intruder, & law enforcement is investigating the incident. No injuries nor property damage reported,” Joint Base Andrews posted to Twitter.

At around 11:30 a.m. today, Feb. 6, a man gained unauthorized access to a JBA housing area. A resident discharged a firearm, security forces arrived on scene to apprehend the intruder, & law enforcement is investigating the incident. No injuries nor property damage reported.

— Joint Base Andrews (@Andrews_JBA) February 7, 2023

The Daily Mail noted that this is the second “massive security breach” to occur at Joint Base Andrews in two years.

Massive security breach at America's most sensitive military fortress as man breaks in to housing area at Joint Base Andrews – the second time an intruder has made it through the perimeter 🤯 Daily Mail Online #NatSec https://t.co/1Uv6LnPolo

— CyberChick (@warriors_mom) February 7, 2023

Per Daily Mail:

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 that can serve as the nation’s airborne nuclear command and control centers if needed.

The security threat will likely be a cause for concern for the airport, from which the President and First Lady always fly.

The Air Force said late on Monday it did not have anything to add beyond the Andrews statement about Monday´s intrusion.

It is not the first time the base’s security has been breached.

In February 2021 a man got through the military checkpoint onto the installation and climbed into a C-40, which is the military’s 737-equivalent aircraft used to fly government officials.

The unauthorized man was able to enter the base, roam freely for five hours and then board an aircraft.

That intruder was apprehended because the ‘mouse ears’ cap he was wearing struck an observant airman as odd.

The Associated Press discussed what an investigation found about the base’s security following the prior incident.

An inspector general’s investigation found three main security failings, starting with “human error” by a gate security guard who allowed the man to drive onto the base even though he had no credentials that authorized his access. Hours later, the man walked undetected onto the flight line by slipping through a fence designed to restrict entry. Finally, he walked onto and off a parked airplane without being challenged, even though he was not wearing a required badge authorizing access to the restricted area.

The base’s security measures don’t appear any better following the 2021 breach.

BREAKING NEWS | Air Force security arrested an intruder at Joint Base Andrews, Md., after a resident discharged a firearm Monday morning, according to an Air Force press release that day.https://t.co/59g75t8Byx

— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) February 7, 2023

Stars and Stripes added:

“We are not identifying the base resident due to privacy concerns,” base spokeswoman Maj. Lauren Hill told Stars and Stripes by Facebook Messenger on Monday.

Family housing residents at Andrews are allowed to store their privately owned weapons and munitions separately in their quarters, according to the base website.

The Air Force did not say how the intruder entered the base or where in the housing area the individual was apprehended.