Two Jordanians were arrested after allegedly attempting to scam their way onto a US marine base in Virginia with a truck, potentially as a “dry run for Al Qaeda or ISIS”. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed that the two Jordanian nationals were arrested at the front gate of Quantico Marine Corps Base in Virginia on May 3, 2024. They were stopped by military sentries after claiming to be delivery drivers for a company subcontracted by Amazon. The military officers noticed they had no affiliation with Quantico or approved credentials and directed them to a holding area to be vetted.
The incident was reported by Potomac Local News and highlighted by The Post. Authorities have not confirmed if the individuals were on the terror watch list or revealed what was in the truck. The two Jordanians will remain in custody and be deported from the US. The driver of the truck ignored the direct instructions of the officers at the gate and attempted to access the Marine Corps Base Quantico. The military police officers were able to deploy the vehicle denial barriers and prevent further access to the base before detaining the individuals, who were then turned over to ICE custody.
Former Navy SEAL Robert O’Neill described the incident as a possible “dry run” for a future terror attack by groups like Al Qaeda or ISIS. This type of test run would involve seeing how far a truck could be driven into the base and how the base operated during an attack. The Marines’ response was commended by O’Neill for preventing any injuries and effectively detaining the individuals. O’Neill mentioned that the incident was fortunate not to result in any casualties, highlighting the potential risks involved in such security breaches.
This incident is part of a series of base breaches at various US marine bases. The latest breaches involved individuals attempting unauthorized access at Naval Air Station North Island in California and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms in California. Another breach occurred at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, where an individual with suspicious behavior and an AR-15 rifle in the trunk was detained by security personnel. Incidents like these have forced security personnel to fire shots in self-defense and take into custody individuals trying to breach the bases.
The security breaches at marine and air force bases in the US have raised concerns about the vulnerability of these facilities to potential terrorist attacks or unauthorized access. The swift response by military personnel in apprehending the individuals involved in these breaches has been crucial in preventing potential harm or damage. These incidents underscore the importance of maintaining strict security protocols, vetting procedures, and vigilance to safeguard military installations from threats. The collaboration between different agencies, law enforcement, and military personnel is essential to address and mitigate the risks posed by security breaches at military bases. By learning from these incidents and enhancing security measures, authorities can better protect these critical facilities and the personnel within them.
