US

Suspicious Package Sends Three to Hospital at Scott Air Force Base

Hazmat Crews At Scott Air Force Base, 3 HospitalizedMASCOUTAH, Ill. (The Blaze/AP) — Three people fell sick and were treated at a hospital Wednesday after a suspicious package arrived at the mail center of an Air Force base in southern Illinois, prompting the evacuation of parts of the facility.

Two workers for the U.S. Postal Service and an Air Force serviceman at the Scott Air Force Base developed respiratory or skin reactions around 9 a.m. Wednesday in reaction to something in the mail room, according to base commander Col. Michael Hornitschek.

Officials isolated a package believed to be the cause of the discomfort and hazardous material specialists are investigating it, Hornitschek said. He offered no details about the package or what material was inside.

Capt. Kathleen Ferrero said the three were treated then released from a hospital in Belleville, Ill. Fourteen other people were decontaminated on site.

The 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks is less than two weeks away. The FBI launched an investigation into the package but Hornitschek downplayed any possible terrorist threat. He described the FBI investigation as typical protocol when a suspicious package is found.

“I’m not going to speculate” about possible terrorism, Hornitschek said. “We see no connection to the 9/11 anniversary.”

The incident prompted precautionary evacuations of the base’s education center, bowling alley and other services near the mail center. Hornitschek said about 100 people were evacuated from the area. Officials were confident no additional evacuations were needed at the base or in nearby Mascoutah, Ill., about 25 miles east of St. Louis.

“There is no threat to the local community to our knowledge,” he said.

Still, the incident prompted some concern at the base. Alarms blared, with a voice over a loud speaker warning that it was not an exercise. Hazardous material trucks, firefighters and ambulances hurried to the scene.

Ferrero noted that the base routinely performs exercises for incidents like this and was ready to respond.

“We are reacting on the side of caution,” she said.

Master Sgt. Jerome Baysmore said “several” firefighters at the base were overcome by heat and treated by on-base medics. He did not know how many.

The air base serves as a global mobility and transportation hub for the Defense Department. The base is home to the U.S. Transportation Command, Air Mobility Command, the 618th Air and Space Operations Center and Air Force Network Integration Center. It is also one of four bases in the Air Force to house both a Reserve unit – the 932nd Airlift Wing – and an Air National Guard unit – the 126th Air Refueling Wing.

Hornitschek said 10,000 to 12,000 people are on the base on a given day.

KSDK provides the news report:

Comments (29)

  • Charbet
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 11:39am

    I am concerned for our military, this admin despises them! It has been quite obvious since 2009!

    Report Post » Charbet  
  • RightWingConspirator
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 10:40pm

    My guess is the congressional black cacus and their hate speech caused this.
    (I am auditioning for main stream media, notice I didn’t use facts) How did I do?

    Report Post » RightWingConspirator  
    • Ron on the Rio Grande
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 11:18pm

      People brought in for observation are not treated for anything untill and unless symptoms of something develop. It does not look like anything other then people doing their jobs and reporting suspicious activity and/ or objects.
      A job well done at Scott AFB.

      Report Post » Ron on the Rio Grande  
  • Black Manta
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 10:24pm

    The wicked will be turned into hell, and all of the nations that forget God..Psalms 9:17

    Report Post » Black Manta  
  • JUSTANOTHEROPINION
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 9:42pm

    WTF? They have cameras all over the place watching the private citizens, invading our privacy, why don’t they have cameras set up on something as important as an Airforce base?

    Report Post »  
  • Stoic one
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:20pm

    Can we say test run?

    Report Post » Stoic one  
  • angelcat
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 7:29pm

    It must be those evil racist terrorist Tea Party people again, right? (sarc)

    Report Post »  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:20pm

      Sshhh just because this is almost the anniversary of 9/11 doesn’t mean that there is any connection to terrorists. Sshhh and we don’t have a muslim president. Don’t worry…be happy

      Report Post »  
  • dontbotherme
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 6:55pm

    We live close to the base. This is where we buy groceries, etc… People developed respiratory problems & skin rashes. The guys in the mail bldg. said they could smell something before it hit. This seems pretty serious.

    Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 7:09pm

      That is scary. I had my mastectomy at that base in 2005, had my doctors there.

      Report Post »  
    • FuturePresident
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 11:47pm

      Did some research to look for any diseases that would match the symptoms they have stated. Basically the symptoms matches are Smallpox, Mumps, or Rubella. Except the time line is a bit off for Mumps or Rubella. But your statement makes me think its Smallpox. Someone infected with it has “A sweet and penetrating stench”. This is scary. Whatever it is, it isn’t good.

      Report Post » FuturePresident  
  • quicker
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 6:28pm

    Yep got to look out for middle age fat guys.

    Report Post » quicker  
  • Tyler520
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 6:15pm

    yet another act of domestic terrorism brought to you by the Religion of Peace®

    Report Post »  
  • CandiRenee
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 6:09pm

    My sister is up at Scott AFB…my brother-in-law is stationed there. I hate that this happened and scared everyone. She was on base shopping at the time. What the Blaze is reporting is what everyone else is as well. 3 people treated and released. Still haven’t found cause.

    Report Post »  
  • I.Gaspar
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 5:43pm

    Just a guess…but maybe it was Nancy Pelosi’s dirty laundry that got misdelivered.

    Report Post »  
  • Chappy123
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 5:27pm

    MSM will blame the TP

    Report Post »  
  • Smokey_Bojangles
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 5:26pm

    Bet they blame the Tea Party.

    Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
  • cmaczko
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 4:59pm

    God in heaven – we need you now more than we did 10 years ago. Lord, open the eyes of Americans to the truth of the subversive treason happening in our govt, our schools, our labor unions and our political parties. Give us boldness to stand for the truth. Remind us every day that you created and love each and every one of us – every one – and each is precious in your sight. Keep us focused on the truth and give us discernment to see evil for what it is and shine your light on it. Protect us Lord and help us protect ourselves. In Jesus’ Mighty name!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • squeaker
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 4:59pm

    Ah jeeez, if someone farts in an airport these days they evacuate it…?

    Report Post »  
  • netmail
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 4:57pm

    Reporters seem kind of nonchalant about this..?? Even my mother-in-law‘s home made cookies couldn’t have caused something THIS drastic. What could??

    Report Post »  
  • ozchambers
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 4:56pm

    Prepare. And pray it’s not a major incident.

    Report Post » ozchambers  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 4:54pm

    waiting to see what this is.. sounds like domestic terrorism, normally thats what these things are

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  

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