Reports Of Travis AFB Active Shooter A False Alarm

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, CA — Shortly after authorities at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield said reports of an active shooter on base Wednesday morning were being investigated, base officials said the reports turned out to be a false alarm.

When reports of potential gunshots near the Supply Warehouse were received, the base immediately responded to ensure the safety of its personnel, dependents and retirees, officials said at about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in a news release.

Travis Air Force Base Deputy Chief of Public Affairs Tonya Racasner said someone on the base thought they heard gunshots and the base was locked down around 10:25 a.m. for everyone's safety. There was no explanation of the report of the gunshots, Racasner said.

It turned out that the 60th Air Mobility Wing is in the middle of a two-day exercise to test and train Airmen on their ability to respond to emergency incidents such as a possible active shooter, base officials explained.

"These exercises mean everyone on base is on heightened awareness," said Col. Jeffrey Nelson, commander of the 60th AMW. "Though it was a false alarm, our first responders reacted quickly and appropriately. We take every security incident very seriously. I am confident in our ability to respond to any emergency."

The Fairfield Police Department also issued a statement saying it confirmed with base officials there was not an active shooter incident on base; rather, a readiness exercise was being conducted.

Another false alarm at Travis Air Force Base occurred on June 14, 2017, when the base was locked down after officials responded to reports of gunshots at the Base Exchange. The lockdown was lifted when officials did not locate a shooter and the incident was called a false alarm.

That false alarm also occurred while a simulated security drill was scheduled to take place at the base.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.