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michael_cooney
Senior Editor

Gunman Barricades Himself Inside Air Force’s GPS Satellite Control Facility

News
Nov 21, 20112 mins
Data and Information SecurityGovernmentMaps and Navigation Software

The Air Force confirmed this afternoon that an individual from the 50th Security Forces Squadron has barricaded himself inside the Colorado base building that controls most of the GPS communications throughout the U.S.

Schriever Air Force base reports that everyone on the facility is safe and that no operations have been interrupted.

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From Schriever: The building was evacuated except for responding law enforcement. “Our first responders are trained to handle situations such as this and we are working with our community partners to resolve this situation as quickly and safely as possible,” said Col. James P. Ross, 50th Space Wing commander. This situation is ongoing. “The security of Schriever personnel and their families is paramount. We are taking every precaution to ensure their safety,” said Ross.

The Associated Press reports the airman is a member of a security squadron and is armed with his own handgun. Control rooms for GPS and other military satellites are in a heavily protected inner compound surrounded by fences and staffed with armed guards. The base about 60 miles south of Denver controls more than 60 military satellites.

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