Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst was placed on a brief lockdown Thursday due to bogus reports of an active shooter. The all-clear was given around 3:42 p.m., less than a half hour after the false alarm.
No injuries have been reported.
“JBMDL is no longer under a lockdown condition, we have confirmed all members of JBMDL are safe,” the base announced on social media.
The base, located in Burlington and Ocean counties, issued the alert on social media at 3:21 p.m.
Earlier in the day, social media contained a statement that said: “LOCKDOWN LOCKDOWN LOCKDOWN Active shooter reported on JBMDL Building 5231. All personnel are to lockdown until further notice. All personnel outdoors should take cover.”
Base officials announced the lockdown of the New Jersey military base, but 21 minutes later the facility reported the all-clear signal and issued an official statement on social media saying everyone was safe.
Base officials conducted an investigation that determined there was no active shooter.
The military base is
The 87th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 305th Air Mobility Wing conducted a hot pit refueling at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., on October 17, 2023.
Hot pit refueling is a technique that allows an aircraft to be refueled immediately after landing, while leaving an engine running. This technique uses a single-point refuel pump.
Hot pit refueling reduces downtime and increases reliability. It also reduces the amount of time the aircraft spends on the ground.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) is one of the largest military installations in the United States, located in New Jersey. It is home to a variety of military units, including the Air Force’s 305th Air Mobility Wing, the Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic, and the Army’s 108th Training Command. JBMDL is also a major hub for transportation, with a commercial airport and a rail freight yard.
JBMDL is vulnerable to attack in a number of ways. Its large size and concentration of military assets make it an attractive target for adversaries. The base’s proximity to major cities, such as New York and Philadelphia, also make it a potential target for terrorist attacks.
One of the most significant vulnerabilities at JBMDL is its lack of air defense. The base does not have any surface-to-air missile batteries or radar systems to defend it from aerial attack. This makes it vulnerable to attack by cruise missiles, drones, or manned aircraft.
Another vulnerability at JBMDL is its reliance on civilian infrastructure. The base’s commercial airport and rail freight yard are both potential targets for attack. If either of these facilities were disabled, it would make it difficult for the base to receive supplies and personnel.
JBMDL is also vulnerable to attack from the ground. The base is surrounded by dense forests and farmland, which provide cover and concealment for attackers. The base’s perimeter security is also relatively weak, with some sections of the fence being old and in disrepair.
In addition to these specific vulnerabilities, JBMDL also faces a number of general vulnerabilities that are common to all military installations. These include:
- The potential for insider threats. Insider threats are individuals who have access to the base and its facilities and who use that access to carry out an attack.
- The potential for cyberattacks. Cyberattacks can be used to disable critical infrastructure, steal sensitive information, or launch physical attacks.
- The potential for physical attacks. Physical attacks can be carried out using a variety of weapons, including explosives, firearms, and vehicles.
The US military is aware of the vulnerabilities at JBMDL and is taking steps to address them as is has been designated as a “critical asset” and has been given priority for funding and resources.
Officials are working to improve JBMDL’s air defense capabilities and to reduce its reliance on civilian infrastructure but the volatile political environment in the United States has created many new and unpredictable vulnerabilities in a number of ways.
The United States is more polarized than ever before, with Democrats and Republicans increasingly divided on a wide range of issues. This polarization has made it difficult for the government to function effectively and has led to a decline in trust in public institutions. This has created an environment in which it is easier for adversaries to exploit divisions and sow discord.
The volatile political environment has also led to a rise in extremism and violence. This is evident in the increasing number of hate crimes and mass shootings in recent years. Extremist groups are also becoming more sophisticated and organized, and they are increasingly using online platforms to recruit and radicalize new members.
The volatile political environment has also weakened democratic institutions. This includes the erosion of norms and traditions, such as respect for the rule of law and the separation of powers. It also includes the decline in public trust in the media and other institutions that are essential to a healthy democracy. This weakening of democratic institutions has made the United States more vulnerable to attack from both foreign and domestic adversaries.
The volatile political environment has also reduced the United States’ ability to respond to crises. This is due to the increased difficulty in reaching consensus on policy and the increased likelihood of partisan gridlock. This has made it more difficult for the government to mount a coordinated response to crises such as pandemics, natural disasters, and cyberattacks.
The volatile political environment has also made the United States more vulnerable to foreign interference in its elections and political processes. Adversaries are increasingly using sophisticated methods to interfere in elections, such as spreading disinformation and sowing discord among voters. This is a serious threat to the integrity of the US democratic system.
In addition to the specific vulnerabilities listed above, the volatile political environment in the United States has also created a more general climate of uncertainty and instability. This makes it more difficult to predict how the country will respond to new challenges and crises. This unpredictability is a major vulnerability for the United States and its allies.
The US government and the American people need to be aware of the new and unpredictable vulnerabilities created by the volatile political environment.