Air Force launches security review after intruder gets into aircraft at Joint Base Andrews

The Air Force has launched an extensive security review and investigation after a man got inside Joint Base Andrews and into an aircraft at the facility.

Security forces at the base outside of Washington, D.C., detained a man Thursday after he allegedly got into a C-40 airplane. The plane was part of the 89th Airlift Wing, which encompasses most of the aircraft the president uses as Air Force One, as well as other aircraft that transports the vice president and Cabinet officials. The unnamed man was hit with a federal charge for trespassing and turned over to local law enforcement for two outstanding warrants, a statement from the base said.

Defense Department Press Secretary John Kirby addressed the incident in a Friday press conference, saying the Air Force will "launch a comprehensive review of installation security and trends" across the force. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is now heading an investigation into the incident. The investigation's results will be shared publicly once it's complete, Kirby said.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

The incident happened just a day before Biden was set to board Air Force One for the first time as president, embarking Friday to return home to Wilmington, Delaware for the weekend.