All clear given at Tinker Air Force Base after reported bomb threat prompted evacuations
Operations at Tinker Air Force Base have returned to normal after reports of a bomb threat prompted evacuations Tuesday afternoon.
Officials found a “suspicious package” during a routine inspection at the base’s truck gate, according to a tweet from the official Tinker Air Force Base account on the website X (formerly known as Twitter).
Evacuations were ordered as personnel cordoned off the area and a bomb squad investigated further, security said.
The Tinker Air Force Base Law Enforcement Desk confirmed that the base’s security forces and other personnel had “been working a bomb threat” since midday Tuesday.
“All agencies and all personnel are in place right now, and we’re currently working the situation,” an official said shortly after 1:50 p.m. Tuesday.
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UPDATE: A suspicious package was found during a routine inspection at Tinker’s Truck Gate today. As a precaution, Security Forces closed the truck delivery gate, cordoned off the area and evacuated several nearby buildings, pending a detailed inspection…— Tinker AFB (@Team_Tinker) August 8, 2023
More: Tinker, Boeing share long history
According to numerous tweets, evacuations were also ordered for employees at the nearby Boeing facility.
Another Tinker AFB tweet also confirmed that the Gott Gate in the southwest part of the base was temporarily closed. “Special control measures” were implemented at the base’s truck gate as well, according to the tweet. Vehicles were advised to avoid the area until the situation was resolved.
The Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office confirmed a team was called in to assist the bomb squad. Oklahoma City police officers were also helping with traffic control, according to Sgt. Gary Knight.
Spokespeople for the Midwest City Police Department and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol told The Oklahoman they were not among the agencies at the site. Del City police have yet to confirm or deny involvement in coordinating assistance.
By 5 p.m., officials at the base had given the “all-clear” and the Gott Gate resumed operations. The truck containing the ”suspicious package” was turned over to authorities.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Tinker AFB bomb threat prompts evacuations, all clear given
