US military Joint Base Andrews, just outside of Washington, DC, has been put on lockdown after an active shooter was reportedly barricaded inside the medical center.
Known as "America's airfield", Andrews is the home base of Air Force One, the airplane used by the US presidents. It is located in Maryland, four miles southeast of Washington, DC.
Vice-President Joe Biden was supposed to fly out of Andrews at noon on Thursday, for a visit to Ohio. That trip has been delayed until the situation is resolved, according to the White House.
There appeared to be some confusion whether the situation was real or part of an exercise scheduled for Thursdday. Base officials are saying the call came during an exercise, but the report is real.
"We are reacting to a report of a real-world active shooter," a spokesperson for the base told WTTG TV. "The call occurred during an exercise. Because the report came in as a real active shooter, we have to respond accordingly. We are treating as if it is and no further information at this time."
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson referred to an "unfolding situation" at Andrews in his Senate hearing.
The most recent active shooter situation on an airbase was in April, when two Air Force members were killed in a murder-suicide at Lackland AFB in Texas.
--IANS
ahm/vt
