JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. — An investigation is underway after a man gained unauthorized access to a jet at Joint Base Andrews in Prince George's County on Thursday. JBA is the military installation where aircraft serving as Air Force One are housed.
According to a statement from JBA, the man was unarmed but accessed a Flightline and a C-40 assigned to the 89th Airlift Wing. He was detained by JBA security and interviewed by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
The C-40 aircraft is used by the Vice President, Secretary of Defense, and other high-ranking U.S. officials.
While the Pentagon said there is no indication the man has links to extremist groups, he has two prior warrants out for his arrest and is now in the custody of the Prince George's County Sheriff's Office. The individual was given a federal summons for trespassing.
Prince George's officials said the subject is wanted in Virginia and described the charges listed in both warrants as relatively minor.
Officials said security changes were made at Andrews by Friday morning, and a wider inquiry will assess the security postures at all Air Force bases.
"The security of our installation is paramount," said Col. Roy Oberhaus, the vice wing commander of the 316th Wing at JBA. "This was a serious breach of security and Joint Base Andrews is investigating the incident to determine how this happened so it doesn't happen again."
No Air Force personnel were harmed in the intrusion, according to the JBA statement. The man's identity was not released.
See the full statement from Joint Base Andrews below:
An adult male gained access to Joint Base Andrews yesterday. The individual gained unauthorized access to the flightline and entered a C-40 aircraft assigned to the 89th Airlift Wing. Joint Base Andrews Security Forces responded, detained and interviewed the individual. U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations assisted with the interview.
He was booked by OSI and given a federal summons for trespassing. He was turned over to local law enforcement, given that he had two outstanding warrants.
The man was unarmed and did not harm any personnel and there is no indication that the individual has any links to extremist groups.
"The security of our installation is paramount," said Col. Roy Oberhaus, the vice wing commander of the 316th Wing at Joint Base Andrews. "This was a serious breach of security and Joint Base Andrews is investigating the incident to determine how this happened so it doesn't happen again."