Joint Base Andrews reported a security incident shortly after 5 p.m. EST, sending the Prince George’s County, Md., military base into a partial lockdown.
Military officials said a woman inside the Visitor Control Center claimed to have a bomb, according to a report. The main gate has been shut down and lockdown procedures have been put into place.
By 6:43 p.m., the base announced the security threat had ended. “The situation has been diffused; emergency personnel continue to secure the area and all base residents/personnel should avoid the area,” Joint Base Andrews tweeted.
The commander of the base blamed the incident on a “false-alarm.”
“Fortunately, this incident was diffused quickly and was determined to be a false-alarm,” said Col. Brad Hoagland, 11th Wing and Joint Base Andrews commander.
“Our people are our most valuable resource and we take every threat seriously,” Hoagland added. “Our first responders train for these types of scenarios on a regular basis.”
Andrews is the premier base in the Washington area and is used by the president for all helicopter and air travel.
