Print
Close
Joint Base Andrews intrusion: Man breaks into plane used by senior US leaders, officials say
By Paul Best
Published February 05, 2021
A man snuck into Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Thursday and boarded a C-40 plane in the 89th Airlift Wing, officials said.
The wing houses Air Force One and a fleet of other planes frequently used by the president, vice president, Cabinet secretaries, and other senior government and military leaders.
The suspect, who was charged with trespassing, had two warrants issued for his arrest for theft and was handed over to local law enforcement. He may have been suffering from mental issues at the time and "did not seem right," according to an Air Force official.
A man snuck into Joint Base Andrews and boarded a C40 plane, shown here, which is used to transports senior government and military leaders. (United States Air Force)
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION VOWS TO FREE AMERICANS BEING HELD HOSTAGE ABROAD
"The security of our installation is paramount," Col. Roy Oberhaus, vice wing commander of the 316th Wing at Joint Base Andrews, said Friday. "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."
The C-40 plane that the man boarded was involved in a daytime training exercise, and he told officials "he just wanted to see a plane."
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP
The 89th Airlift Wing's C-40 plane "provides safe, comfortable and reliable transportation for U.S. leaders," including combatant commanders, Cabinet secretaries, and members of Congress.
President Joe Biden was scheduled to depart Joint Base Andrews for Delaware at 5:15 p.m. ET Friday, which was to be his first trip on Air Force One as president.
The base is located about 15 miles southeast from the center of Washington, D.C.
Fox News' Jennifer Griffin and Lucas Tomlinson contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/joint-base-andrews-intrusion-man-breaks-into-plane