False alarm triggers gate closure at Mountain Home AFB

Security forces temporarily closed one of two gates at Mountain Home Air Force Base the morning of Nov. 9 to respond to a possible threat.

A false positive response for explosive materials triggered the rapid response around 11:15 a.m. as base security forces performed their duties at the Grand View Gate on the base's west side.

As a precaution, base officials established a 1,500-foot cordon around the gate area, effectively closing the gate to all traffic for 45 minutes while an explosive ordnance disposal team was called to the scene.

Members of the EOD team -- the military's equivalent of a police department bomb squad -- determined there were no hazards present. Shortly afterward, the cordon was lifted and the gate reopened.

"You don't take chances when it comes to this type of situation," said Col. Bruce Smith, 366th Fighter Wing vice commander. "The safety of our Airmen and civilians is our greatest concern. We are thankful this proved to be nothing more than a false positive, and we remain prepared to handle any type of threat to the installation."