The civilian, retired Army first sergeant Rahn Bass, is the husband to Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass. She said in a press release that she and her husband “appreciate the outpouring of support we received after this incident. I can confirm that my husband, Rahn, was involved and is safe, thanks to the quick response and professionalism of our Security Forces Airmen.”
According to reports, a man entered Joint Base Andrews in suburban Washington Sunday and was in the housing area around 11:30 a.m. Rahn Bass fired his weapon at the intruder, which held him at bay until security forces and law enforcement were able to take the suspect into custody.
Even on a military base, the presence of an armed civilian once again can stop criminal activity and apprehend a suspect until police arrive. Rahn Bass is undoubtedly experienced with weapons, having spent 27 years in the U.S. Army before retirement.
And it was a good thing that he was armed and prepared, as Joint Base Andrews is a sensitive installation.
The base is where the president’s fleet of aircraft, including Air Force One, are kept. It is also a home for the “doomsday” Boeing 747 jets that are meant to be flown as airborne command centers if nuclear war breaks out.
No one was hurt in the incident, and there is speculation that the shot was fired as a warning.
Initial reports did not identify Rahn Bass as the civilian who fired the shot. Base officials said in a statement that “a resident discharged a firearm, security forces arrived on the scene to apprehend the intruder and law enforcement is investigating the incident. No injuries or property damage reported.”
The Air Force later said that it did not have any details to add to the previous statement. However, there is likely to be some consternation in the White House since the base is regularly used by the President and First Lady for travel.
It is hardly the first time the high-profile base suffered an intrusion.
In Feb. 2021, an intruder was able to get through the base’s military checkpoint, into the installation, and then aboard a C-40. These are the military’s equivalent of the 737 that are used to transport government officials.
The man not only unlawfully entered the base but was able to stay for five hours. He was apprehended when an eagle-eyed observer noticed the cap he was wearing had “mouse ears” attached and thought that was strange.
In March 2022, an armed teenager was taken into custody at Joint Base Andrews after driving a stolen vehicle past a checkpoint and to the main gate. The 17-year-old was arrested just before Vice President Kamala Harris arrived at the base.
Of all the places one would assume would be safe from intruders, a military installation places high on that list. However, as last week’s and previous incidents prove, there is virtually nowhere that is immune from criminal and even violent intrusions.
This makes the presence of a good guy with a gun even more valuable. In this case it was a seasoned Army veteran who stepped up and acted when it was needed. Many other times it’s an everyday citizen who is responsible enough to be legally armed and courageous enough to spring into action.
Once again, it is proven that Second Amendment freedoms that are exercised properly work for the good of all. Too many times, grandstanding leaders want to point their fingers at firearms as the root of society’s ills.
But weapons are only a tool, and in the right hands, they are capable of reversing a bad situation and preventing tragedies. Even on an Air Force base, a prepared citizen once again came to the rescue.
