Martin Savidge: Full alert at Kandahar base

CNN Correspondent Martin Savidge

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (CNN) -- U.S. soldiers detained five people Saturday along the perimeter of the army base at the Kandahar airport. Underscoring security concerns there, the entire base was placed on full alert as a precaution.

CNN Correspondent Martin Savidge described the scene Saturday.

SAVIDGE: A short while ago we had a demonstration of just how seriously they take security concerns here at the Kandahar airport, and also how almost nothing goes undetected around the perimeter.

It all began around 6 tonight, shortly after the sun went down, when patrols around the airport runway spotted an individual apparently trying to crawl under the perimeter wire and get onto the base.

That individual was quickly apprehended and taken away for questioning. Then about 60 minutes later, using thermal imaging, soldiers found four other people that were moving about located about one mile outside the perimeter.

Patrols were sent out, and they, too, were apprehended and brought back to the Kandahar airport.

While all that was going on, 81-millimeter mortars were pumping illumination flares into the air, lighting up the perimeter. Soldiers were seen donning flak jackets and carrying their rifles, heading into position.

The base went on full alert, helicopters went into the air, transport aircraft that come and go were put immediately on hold. No one wanted to launch with a potential threat in the area.

Now the dust has settled and the information has become more clear. The individual that was trying to crawl under the wire apparently was under the influence of drugs. That person is still being held.

Four other people, it turns out, were actually children looking for firewood. They have been released.