FL: Armed man and woman arrested at MacDill AFB

[seamusTX]

MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, today -- A man and woman attempting to enter MacDill AFB were stopped at the gate because they could not produce acceptable ID. They were found to have "military-style uniforms" and weapons in their vehicle.

MacDill AFB is the site of US CENTCOM.

All these stories contain essentially the same facts:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/06/14/florid ... ts/?hpt=T1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... wD9GBET5G0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/06/14/me ... y-weapons/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/06/14/1 ... apons.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm sure there's a perfectly innocent explanation.

- Jim

[Medic218]

Im sure they were up to no good but Im curious to see what details come to light as this story devolops.

[seamusTX]

No further news has come out about this incident.

I'm speculating that even if the MPs know more now, they won't say anything until someone who works business hours approves a statement.

Meanwhile, I was reminded of an incident that occurred a month ago at MacDill: A veteran who was at a campground inside the base (not accessible to the public) got into an altercation that led to his fatal shooting by an FBI agent . The man apparently had a history of personal problems stemming from injuries in Vietnam.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... AD9FQ97TO0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafe ... at/1096301" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://mwdtsa.blogspot.com/2010/05/in-m ... llock.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As far as I know, this incident dropped completely off the radar within ten days.

- Jim

[Lodge2004]

Im sure they were up to no good but Im curious to see what details come to light as this story devolops.

Just as likely they didn't know the rules. If you stopped me passing through Florida, you'd probably find a lot more than "military-style gear and weapons" in my trunk. For all we know, the base security discovered a Maxpedition bag and a pocket knife in their SUV.

[seamusTX]

Just as likely they didn't know the rules.

You're very understanding.

The sketchy information released by the Air Force says they had multiple "rifle-type weapons." Don't ask me how a "rifle-type weapon" differs from a rifle.

I've only had to enter military bases a few times, when relatives were stationed there. I knew perfectly well that (a) I needed ID, and (b) I should not have firearms in my vehicle. There are many things that a competent adult is supposed to know, like having car insurance, filing an income tax return, or not eating yellow snow.

- Jim

[E.Marquez]

The rifle (s) is shown in the video, (1:26) http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/06/14/florid ... ts/?hpt=T1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(take it frame by frame, the initial view of the rife is only for a second) as are a few mags.. rifle and rifle mags appear to be an M14.. Rife has a synthetic stock,,, so not a service rifle shooter per say. Pistol mags.. well not positive..but looks like a run of the mill 9mm 15 round mag.. The butt plate and shape of the mag looks really familiar,, but I'm just not matching it with a specific pistol in mind,,, M9 perhaps...

[jester]

Just as likely they didn't know the rules.

You're very understanding.

They were probably just economic migrants looking for work.

[seamusTX]

The rifle (s) is shown in the video, (1:26) http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/06/14/florid ... ts/?hpt=T1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I don't know if that is video of specific weapons that were taken from the vehicle in question, or stock footage.

This is a "trick" that the media play too often. They have a story about some kind of incident involving firearms and add some stock footage (or still photos in newspapers) that has nothing to do with the facts of the story.

- Jim

[E.Marquez]

[E.Marquez]

The rifle (s) is shown in the video, (1:26) http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/06/14/florid ... ts/?hpt=T1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I don't know if that is video of specific weapons that were taken from the vehicle in question, or stock footage.

This is a "trick" that the media play too often. They have a story about some kind of incident involving firearms and add some stock footage (or still photos in newspapers) that has nothing to do with the facts of the story.

- Jim

It's possible, but if so the "Trick" was used by several different news outlets using different tape.

The first screen shots were from the CNN vid, this one

From ABC.. (M16/M4 30 round GOV issue type mags in this pic) In both you can see the vid was shot from behind the security fence,, and the box of Hornady ammo is the same..

All told.,,. I have no idea,,, just observations on my part.. no real info.

[seamusTX]

The man in this incident is now being identified as an AWOL active duty member. The weapons are identified as "three rifles, three handguns, and ammunition." The IDs that the people use are now reported to be "fraudulent."

"At this point there is no indication that it is a terrorist act,..."

All this second-hand from an Air Force spokesman.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafe ... ys/1102455" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[Purplehood]

The man in this incident is now being identified as an AWOL active duty member. The weapons are identified as "three rifles, three handguns, and ammunition." The IDs that the people use are now reported to be "fraudulent."

"At this point there is no indication that it is a terrorist act,..."

All this second-hand from an Air Force spokesman.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafe ... ys/1102455" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

Copy Cat(s) of Ft Hood shooter, but nabbed before hand?

[seamusTX]

I dunno. But the vast majority of violent incidents involving military personnel are the result of mental illness, domestic disputes, or personal feuds.

- Jim

[SwimFan85]

I dunno. But the vast majority of violent incidents involving military personnel are the result of mental illness, domestic disputes, or personal feuds.

We're just like other people.

[seamusTX]

The names of the people in question were released, in case anyone knows them.

[The woman] has been released to the custody of her husband.

He did not know what she was doing with that man who is now being charged with desertion.

http://www.cbs12.com/news/base-4726815-air-force.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/ar ... VSdgm6mjEg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim