A civilian was detained outside MacDill Air Force Base in Florida on Saturday after allegedly “violently engag[ing]” with security personnel, according to the 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office.
The individual breached the Tampa base’s perimeter at about 1 p.m. and became involved in a violent confrontation with security officers, FOX 13 and WTSP-TV reported. One officer and the civilian suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
MacDill officials said the Dale Mabry Gate would remain closed to inbound and outbound traffic until further notice. In a Facebook post at about 2:30 p.m., the base urged people to plan ahead and avoid the gate area.
Police officers with the Tampa Police Department block traffic along South Dale Mabry Highway near the main entrance of MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., after a suspicious package was reported at the gate on March 16, 2026. (Octavio Jones/AFP via Getty Images)
The investigation remains underway.
MacDill Air Force Base is located in Tampa. (Google Maps)
The base has not disclosed what prompted the confrontation.
MacDill is home to the headquarters of U.S. Central Command.
The headquarters of U.S. Central Command stands at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 6, 2017. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)
News Media has contacted the 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office for additional information.