FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The FBI said Wednesday that a suspicious package containing “possible high-energy materials” was found outside the gates of MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa earlier this week.
FBI Tampa said in a statement posted on social media Wednesday afternoon that analysis of the material is not yet complete. The FBI said the investigation was continuing but did not provide further details.
Energetic materials store large amounts of chemical energy and can include explosive materials, fuels, or propellants. The FBI did not respond to an email seeking clarification about what type of materials were contained in the package found Monday outside the MacDill Air Force Base visitor center.
The base issued a shelter-in-place order earlier Wednesday after receiving threats.
“We take all threats seriously and are taking appropriate steps to prioritize the safety and security of our facilities. As a matter of policy, we will not release specific details of the security measures that have been implemented,” MacDill officials said in a statement posted on social media.
The order was lifted about two hours later, but the base remained on high alert, officials said.
On Tuesday, the base began operating under Force Protection Unit Charlie, or FPCON Charlie. This is the second-highest military security level and allows officials to “proactively implement deliberate security measures.”
The advisory said all personnel at the base “should remain vigilant, follow the instructions of security forces and report any suspicious activity immediately.”
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), located at MacDill, is responsible for U.S. military operations in the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of South Asia.
MacDill is one of the U.S. bases that has been on high alert since the war with Iran began.
Last week, a KC-135 tanker crashed while supporting operations against Iran, killing all six crew members. Officials said three of the crew members were with MacDill’s 6th Air Refueling Wing.
