HANSCOM — Part of Hanscom Air Force Base was evacuated Thursday after security forces found "potentially explosive material" on a vehicle entering the base.
Security Forces were doing a routine vehicle inspection when around 9 a.m. they detected something that caused response actions.
BREAKING:"Security concern" leads to "precautionary response" at Hanscom Air Force Base.@Boston25 Newshttps://t.co/xMhAe9Yk4F pic.twitter.com/d1FqeJEaXV
— Peter Wilson (@PetesWire) July 6, 2017
After a large response, including the bomb squad and K-9s, the truck was cleared around 1 p.m. Hanscom Air Force Base said shipping containers from the truck contained "potentially concerning residue" and they have been taken for further testing.
"We are 100 percent confident there is no explosive or energetic material that was encased inside of that truck. However, we did get a positive read inside of those containers, so we are sending that to a lab," said Sgt. William Qualls, unit commander of the State Police Bomb Squad.
State Police said it is a high priority to figure out what was on the containers. Qualls said it is more than likely cross contamination that led to the positive test results.
State Police said the initial screenings and tests, including two trace detection test and a K-9 explosive detector, revealed "potentially explosive material." The base was temporarily closed at the Vandenberg Route 2A Gate and evacuated several nearby facilities.
Sky25 captured video of a dog and an officer inspecting a truck near the gate of the base.
The truck was parked at the corner of Langley Drive and Vandenberg Road
The truck was from "Big Foot Moving and Storage," which is a local moving company. The CEO of Big Foot Moving said the truck contains "household goods." Hanscom officials said that truck was for someone moving onto the base.
Police said the driver of the moving truck was questioned and released. State Police said set up a perimeter extending 1,500 feet from the truck in all directions, but after 1 p.m., opened the gates and allowed traffic in and out.
In a news conference around 2:30 p.m., police and Air Force said their response was large but appropriate.
"Given the time we will live, we operate out of an abundance of caution," said Major Fran Lahey with the Massachusetts State Police.
Hanscom AFB emerged as the Air Force's center for development and acquisition of electronic systems in 1945. It has played a large role in the high tech area in Cambridge, working with MIT and Harvard during times of war in the past.
More than 10,000 active duty, Reserve and National Guard personnel, along with contractors and civilians are supported, sustained and employed by Hanscom.
There is privatized housing on the base, with a total of 731 homes.
No one was injured during the investigation.
WATCH LIVE: Sky25 over Hanscom Air Force Base
Boston 25 News Live StreamFacilities evacuated at Hanscom Air Force Base due to security concern.
Posted by Boston 25 News on Thursday, July 6, 2017
Bomb squad, Air Wing at Hanscom AFB, potentially suspicious truck at gate. Area near gate has been evacuated. Will update when appropriate.
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) July 6, 2017
#READ: @MassStatePolice INFO ON INCIDENT #Hanscom pic.twitter.com/tT3L0B2j1E
— Scott Tetreault (@BostonNewsMan) July 6, 2017
Mass State Police on @Hanscom_AFB situation: standard screening of truck & its cargo revealed indicators of potentially hazardous material
— Blair Miller (@BlairMillerTV) July 6, 2017
#BREAKING: Gate closed, facilities evacuated at @Hanscom_AFB due to ‘security concern.' @BlairMillerTV reports: https://t.co/R5zs091pij pic.twitter.com/AmPnjhCRjS
— Steven (@StevenYabNews) July 6, 2017
Quick cut-in we just did on @boston25 with more info at @Hanscom_AFB and view from #Sky25 pic.twitter.com/kolM68mQYO
— Blair Miller (@BlairMillerTV) July 6, 2017
Sky25 shows dog inspecting truck at Hanscom AFB https://t.co/JeP1wL49DI pic.twitter.com/yp0By7O006
— Kacie Yearout (@kacieyearout) July 6, 2017
BREAKING: "Potentially suspicious" truck at Hanscom Air Force Base gate.
— Peter Wilson (@PetesWire) July 6, 2017
A police dog just exited the truck in question.@Boston25 pic.twitter.com/P1YKVaCQeW
Hanscom Air Force entrance shut down amidst security concerns over box truck. We are being kept far back from the scene @boston25 pic.twitter.com/mD7HAvVauP
— Kathryn Burcham (@kathrynburcham) July 6, 2017
We are aware of an ongoing incident at Hanscom Air Force Base and are monitoring. There is no danger to the community at this time.
— Bedford, MA Police (@bedfordpd) July 6, 2017
1 p.m. update: https://t.co/QhHdajMzhf
— Hanscom AFB (@Hanscom_AFB) July 6, 2017
Boston 25 News Live StreamOfficials provide update on earlier security incident at Hanscom AFB.
Posted by Boston 25 News on Thursday, July 6, 2017
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