Error spurred false alarm at Tucson base

Officials: Error spurred false alarm at Tucson base
by Dennis Wagner on Jan. 15, 2012, under Arizona Republic News

The false report of a hostage incident that shut down Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson four months ago was the result of a misunderstanding rather than a hoax, a base spokesman says.

During the Sept. 16 incident, which began about 9 a.m., SWAT teams were deployed from as far away as Phoenix. Base personnel were put in lockdown or evacuated for most of the day. Military flights were disrupted. Major streets were closed. Frightened parents were unable to pick up children from base schools.

Finally, the base commander, Col. John Cherrey, announced without explanation that the threat was over and no gunman or weapon had been found.

In response to a Freedom of Information Act request, the Air Force provided partial records to The Arizona Republic that shed some light on the incident. Those documents do not explain who first reported the threat or how the error occurred.

In an interview, Capt. Jonathan Simmons said, “We don’t believe it was a hoax. We believe it was a mistake. And, if someone thinks they see a gunman on base, they should report it.”

E-mails among Air Force officials sent during the six-hour episode indicate fears of a tragedy similar to the November 2009 rampage at Fort Hood, Texas, where a U.S. Army psychiatrist is accused of killing 13 and wounding dozens.

“Planning for worst case mass casualties,” advised an 11:24 a.m. message from the base vice commander.
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