Canadian Forces Base 17 Wing is located in the southwest corner of the Winnipeg airport property. (Google Map)

A military pickup truck was stolen from the Canadian Forces Base in Winnipeg on Wednesday and then driven onto the runway at the James Armstrong Richardson International Airport.

The truck was stopped by airport security patrols and city police officers at about 5:15 a.m. A 23-year-old Montreal man, Michael Doss, was taken into custody.

A man was arrested after stealing a pickup truck from CFB 17 Wing and driving it onto a runway at the adjacent Winnipeg airport. (waymarking.com)

The base, 17 Wing, is located in the southwest corner of the airport property.

According to police, the man somehow entered a restricted area on the base and found a Ford F150 registered to the Department of National Defence. The vehicle was parked on the apron of a runway.

Christine Alongi, spokeswoman for the Winnipeg Airports Authority, said the driver of the truck managed to breach a fence around the airport and was spotted driving towards runway 13/31.

"Now, at an airport, anybody who drives on the airfield certainly has to be in contact with the tower and immediately the [people in the] tower noticed that there was a vehicle that had not identified themselves and called the airport duty manager as well as Winnipeg police," she said.

'There's definitely perimeter fences all around the airfield. We're not sure how this person gained access.'—Christine Alongi, Winnipeg Airports Authority

As the truck was headed towards the runway, a Beechcraft King Aircraft, carrying cargo and three passengers was departing, police said.

The aircraft completed its take-off without incident while the stolen truck continued to drive along the runway, behind the departed plane.

Doss is charged with theft over $5,000, damaging or interfering with navigation facility, and mischief endangering life.

He has been detained in custody at the Winnipeg Remand Centre.

The military base and airport are reviewing security measures.

"There's definitely perimeter fences all around the airfield. We're not sure how this person gained access," Alongi said.

"That's certainly something that is under investigation right now."

The Winnipeg Police Service's major crimes unit is also investigating.