Pat Dollard

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UPDATE: Several people have called the KOLD newsroom, reporting explosions they heard in the area surrounding Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on Friday night. It “coincidentally” coincided with reports of a gunman on base. The base refused to comment on reports of the explosions until the following day…

The information below was provided by DMAFB via their Facebook page:

“Davis-Monthan is working in conjunction with outside authorities to ensure the proper disposal of hazardous materials. This is a pre-planned series of 7-10 controlled detonations that will take place @ 10 p.m. and D-M was requested to assist. Those located near the base may hear atypical noises. Personnel and families should be aware that this will not affect normal operations or their safety. All measures will be taken to ensure safety of the base and surrounding community.”

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According to Davis Monthan officials, the response to the potential security threat has been terminated, the base lockdown has been lifted, and personnel are being released in a controlled fashion. No evidence of a gunman could be found

The following is an unedited press release from Davis Monthan Air Force Base:

Base officials have terminated the response to a potential security incident that began at 11 a.m. today.

Increased security measures were taken around the base following the unconfirmed sighting of a man entering an office building apparently armed.

Base officials are currently executing a controlled release of base personnel.

Federal Bureau of Investigation personnel, Tucson Police and Fire Departments as well as other emergency services personnel provided support to D-M personnel as they worked to investigate the situation.

With the help of the Tucson emergency services communities, Airmen were successful in maintaining the safety and security of the Desert Lightning Team.

“All reports regarding the safety and security of our Airmen and their families are taken seriously and we will continue to work to keep them secure,” said Col. John Cherrey, 355th Fighter Wing commander.

Information release of the ongoing operations were restricted to prevent the suspect from seeing or knowing what measures were being taken.

A statement will be made by Col. Cherrey at 6 p.m regarding the incident.

Media should be in place at the Craycroft Gate Visitor Center at 5:40 p.m.

More: Man at Air Force base in Tucson is ‘holed-up’ while security officials attempt to talk to him – @KVOA

Update: US officials confirm a man carrying what appeared to be a gun entered Tucson base, forcing lockdown; No shots fired – NBC News
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) – An Air Force base was rattled Friday after a report of a man with a gun prompted panic and reports that someone had been shot at the sprawling facility on the edge of Tucson.

Traffic into and out of the base was being limited because of an unspecified security situation, but no one was shot or hurt, according to the public affairs office at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

The scare apparently was prompted by reports of someone with something that looked like a weapon, said Tech Sgt. Russ Martin. The reports haven’t been confirmed, Martin said.

“So the base is going into crisis action mode. We’re just locking down the base for the safety and security of the people on Davis-Monthan,” he said.

A military official said a special agent on the base reported that an armed individual walked into a building on the base on the outskirts of the southern Arizona city, where earlier this year a gunman gravely wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and killed six people.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.

Ambulances were sent to the base, sparking fears of injuries, but it was just a case of bad timing, Martin said.

“Any ambulance you saw leaving earlier, not too long ago was actually a woman going into labor,” he said.

As the lockdown unfolded Friday, students were kept in schools on the base. Dunaway said traffic was reduced to a single point entry; vehicles lined up at the base’s main gate and were being turned around.

Davis-Monthan is adjacent to the Pima Air & Space Museum and the “boneyard” for old military and government airplanes that is a popular destination for aviation enthusiasts.

The base is the home of the 355th Fighter Wing, and provides attack airpower, combat support and medical forces, according to the base’s Facebook page.

Security at military bases has gained more attention in the last two years since an Army major went on a rampage at Fort Hood in Texas in 2009. Maj. Nidal Hasan is charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder in the shooting spree. Investigators have foiled other plots against military bases in other parts of the country since Sept. 11.