FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
The investigation into Monday's incident that closed and evacuated the Fort Eustis Main Gate areas for several hours has concluded.
At approximately 3:15 p.m. Monday, a suspicious package was found in a vehicle undergoing the inspection process to enter the installation. The package initially yielded positive results for hazardous materials when tested, but some materials can produce false positives. Fort Eustis Security Forces were immediately notified, and the area was evacuated and cordoned off.
Yorktown Naval Weapons Station Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit responded to the scene and conducted a robotic examination. An intensive inspection of the package yielded negative results at about 6:20 p.m. The EOD unit continued with an examination of the vehicle, clearing it around 8 p.m. The Fort Eustis Main Gate was then re-opened.
The two occupants of the vehicle were questioned and released.
Fort Eustis Security Forces worked in conjunction with Newport News Police Department to direct traffic away from the main gate and to Gate 2 beginning at 4 p.m. However, due to the flow and amount of traffic moving to Gate 2, there was considerable congestion.
"The primary concern of our Security Forces and emergency personnel was protecting the base and keeping the community safe," said Col. Donald Kirkland, 633d Air Base Wing and Joint Base Langley-Eustis commander. "In these situations, we must treat these incidents as threats until we can prove otherwise in the best interest of public safety."
An after-action review of the incident was conducted to identify areas for improvement and best practices.