FBI finds suspicious package with possible energetic materials at MacDill AFB
March 19, 2026
The FBI found a suspicious package at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida on Monday. The package was found at the visitor centre and has now been declared to have contained ‘possible energetic materials.’
FBI finds ‘suspicious package’ at MacDill AFB
On Tuesday, MacDill Air Force Base posted on its Facebook account, “a suspicious package was reported at the MacDill Air Force Base visitors center near the Dale Mabry Gate. Out of an abundance of caution, first responders established a cordon and diverted traffic to the Bayshore Gate.“
It added that the package was reported at 11:20 am and the incident was resolved by around 5 pm. At that time, the scene was declared safe, and normal gate operations resumed.
The Air Base’s statement reads, “The suspicious package remains an ongoing FBI investigation, and more updates will be provided as they become available.”
MacDill Air Force Base is located around four miles from downtown Tampa, Florida and is the home base of the 6th Air Mobility Wing and the 927th Air Refuelling Wing.
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Package found to have ‘possible energetic materials’
The FBI issued a new update yesterday on its Facebook account. It stated, “This is an #FBI Tampa investigative update to the suspicious package found on March 16 outside MacDill AFB Visitor Center.”
The FBI’s update was very succinct, saying “Field screening was conducted on the contents of the package and identified possible energetic materials.
However, the FBI did not provide further details on the material found in the package. Instead, it said, “Final lab analysis is not yet complete. The investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details can be shared at this time.”
It is unclear what type of energetic material this refers to. Safety Management Services defines energetic materials as substances that store large amounts of chemical energy and release it rapidly when triggered by heat, shock, or friction.
Common types of energetic materials include fuel, explosives, and propellants.
MacDill AFB operating under heightened security amid Iran campaign
The Independent reported that on Tuesday, the base began operating under Force Protection Charlie “FPCON CHARLIE.” This is the second-highest security level in the military, allowing officials to “implement deliberate security measures proactively.”
Personnel at the base have been instructed to “remain vigilant, follow the direction of security forces, and report any suspicious activity immediately.”
Importantly, CENTCOM, which is responsible for US military operations in the Middle East (and elsewhere in the broader region), is based at MacDill AFB.
It is CENTCOM that is publishing videos, images, and updates on the ongoing strikes on Iran. It is feared that this could make the base a target for attacks on bases in the US, and it has been on particularly high alert since the air campaign began.
All Crew Members of U.S. KC-135 Loss in Iraq Confirmed Deceased
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 13, 2026
TAMPA, Fla. – All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased. The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace March 12 during…
Separately, the US lost a KC-135 refuelling aircraft in a mid-air collision during the campaign against Iran. According to The Independent, three of the crew members were connected to the 6th Air Refuelling Wing at MacDill.
Featured Image: US Air Force
