A suspicious package found outside a gate at a U.S. Air Force base in Florida earlier this week contained "possible energetic materials," the Federal Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday, March 18.
The suspicious package was reported at the MacDill Air Force Base's visitor center near a gate at around 11:20 a.m. local time on Monday, March 16, the base said ina statement. First responders established a cordon and diverted traffic to another gate "out of an abundance of caution," according to the statement.
By about 5 p.m., the base said the "incident was terminated and the scene was declared safe." Normal gate operations resumed, and the package was cleared from the scene by special agent bomb technicians from theFBI's Tampa field office.
FBI Director Kash Patel in photos
Following a preliminary investigation, the FBI said that field screening was conducted on the package's contents and identified "possible energetic materials." The FBI did not provide further details on the material found in the package.
Energetic materials are substances that store large amounts of chemical energy and rapidly release it when triggered by heat, shock, or friction, according toSafety Management Services. Common energetic materials include explosives, propellants, and fuel.
"Final lab analysis is not yet complete," the FBI said ina statementon March 18. "The investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details can be shared at this time."
MacDill Air Force Base under heightened alert amid war in Iran
The MacDill Air Force Base is located in Tampa, Florida, on the southwestern tip of the interbay peninsula. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is headquartered at the base and is responsible for military operations in 20 nations across the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of South Asia.
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Since the war in Iran began on Feb. 28, U.S. military bases, including the MacDill Air Force Base, and federal counterterrorism agencies have been onhigh alertfor a potential retaliatory attack in the United States. Several military bases have been placed on lockdown in response to potential threats, includingJoint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurstin New Jersey andBarksdale Air Force Basein Louisiana.
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On Tuesday, March 17, the MacDill Air Force Base announced that it was operating under Force Protection Charlie, which is referred to as "FPCON CHARLIE." The FPCON level is the second-highest alert level and indicates that a threat is likely, according to theDefense Logistics Agency.
"This posture allows us to implement deliberate security measures proactively," the base said ina statement. "All personnel should remain vigilant, follow the direction of security forces, and report any suspicious activity immediately. Everyone plays a role in base defense – if you see something, say something."
'We take all threats seriously'
Earlier on March 18, the MacDill Air Force Base was placed under a shelter-in-place order after a threat was received. The order was later lifted, but the base said it was still operating under FPCON CHARLIE.
"We take all threats seriously and are taking appropriate measures to prioritize the safety and security of our installation," the base said ina statement. "As a matter of policy, we will not release specifics on what security measures have been implemented."
Last week, CENTCOM confirmed thatsix U.S. service members were killedwhen theirKC-135 refueling tanker aircraft crashedfollowing a mid-air collision over western Iraq. Three of the service members were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing atMacDill Air Force Base.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Package found at Florida base contained 'possible energetic materials'