Hanscom AFB Evacuated After Explosives Scare at Gate

Hanscom Air Force Base was locked down on Thursday, and parts of the base were evacuated when trace explosives were detected on a moving truck causing an explosive scare that triggered state police and FBI bomb units into action.

Just after 9 a.m., everything unfolded when security stopped a Big Foot Moving and Storage truck for a routine inspection as it was about to enter the facility with a military members’ household goods to be delivered.

The delivery was expected and it was at this time that trace explosives were detected, which prompted a large operation that followed security protocol.

“Security Forces detected some potentially explosive material, which caused the base to put response actions in place,” Hanscom officials said in a statement. “Those actions included a temporary closure of the base’s Vandenberg (Rte 2A) Gate and evacuation of several nearby base facilities.”

The truck from Big Foot Moving and Storage was stopped at a gate to the base. (WBZ-TV)

The State Police bomb squad was called in and the truck was inspected for several hours. The all clear was given around 1 p.m. and base operations returned to normal.

“It was the right call by the U.S. Air Force and it was the right response,” said State Police Major Fran Leahy said during a press conference.

Hanscom Field commercial airport, which has a different entrance, remained open throughout the incident.

The driver of the truck remained on scene and has been “completely cooperative.”

Police said no one is suspected of a crime, but they are trying to determine how the residue got onto the truck.

State Police Sgt. William Qualls said “Cross contamination is more than likely”

No injuries were reported.

A perimeter had been set up extending 1,500 feet from the truck in all directions. But just after 1 p.m., the perimeter was reduced to 100 feet and the area was reopened a short time later.

While the situation thankfully was resolved with no injuries or serious issues, it was a good test for the Air Force Security and the State Police who followed their protocols and protected the public and the personnel at the base.

To read the entire article from CBS Local News click here:

Photo courtesy Yelp