Authorities in Maryland have taken into custody a man accused of entering one of the planes at the military facility that houses planes used by senior government officials, including the president. A U.S. official told CBS News that the Joint Base Andrews (JBA) security breach did not affect the presidential fleet.
In a statement, JBA confirmed that a male person with two outstanding warrants had access to one of the C-40B aircraft assigned to the 89th Airlift Wing on Thursday evening.
Joint base Andrews said the man was unarmed and had not harmed any personnel, and there is no evidence that the individual has links with extremist groups. JBA authorities have turned the man over to local authorities because of his outstanding warrants, and he is in custody of the Prince George’s sheriff’s office in Maryland County.
The person apparently drove onto the property.
The Air Force said in a statement Friday that the Inspector General will conduct an investigation into the breach, as well as a comprehensive assessment of installations worldwide.
In addition to housing the Presidential Fleet, the base houses the aircraft used by the Vice President and other senior officials such as the Secretary of Defense.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a briefing Friday that the base has changed its security protocols in the wake of the breach, and everyone at the Department of Defense knows how serious this is.
David Martin contributed to this report.