Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Proper procedures for base sponsorshi­p, access

- BY THE 19TH AIRLIFT WING LEGAL OFFICE 19th Airlift Wing Public Airlift Wing

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE —Military installati­ons have strict regulation­s for nongovernm­ent-affiliated personnel entering bases, and the Little Rock Air Force Base is no exception to this rule, even with the Trusted Traveler program implemente­d.

Sponsors and guests are allowed to enter the Little Rock AFB through the Trusted Traveler program by showing one form of identifica­tion at an entry control point. Sponsors cannot bring visitors onto the installati­on without getting a pass. Therefore, guests must be vetted through the Visitors Control Center, whether or not 100 percent ID checks are in effect.

When a sponsor brings a guest onto base, they will be vetted through the National Crime Informatio­n Center or the Arkansas Crime Informatio­n Center, depending on whether the guest has an Arkansas driver’s license. The 19th Security Forces Squadron personnel will conduct either an NCIC or ACIC background check at the VCC or base defense operations center. Once background checks are completed, passes are either electronic­ally generated or manually filled out on an Air Force Form 75, then issued to the visitor.

To bring a guest on base, sponsors must provide their full name, Department of Defense ID number and contact number and be 18 or older. Personnel can also sponsor guests without being present at the VCC by sending an email from any .mil or aafes.com account to 19sfs_ visitorcen­ter@us.af.mil or by calling the VCC from a residentia­l, base or government phone number. Emails must state every guest 18 years of age or older and provide the following informatio­n:

• The guest’s full name, date of birth, state of issued driver’s license, driver’s license number or state-issued identifica­tion credential­s if not operating a motor vehicle.

• If operating a vehicle, the guest’s current motor-vehicle state-issued registrati­on (does not include a stateissue­d title issued to the owner or lien holder) and current physical or electronic proof of financial liability assimilati­ng Arkansas law.

• The guest’s reason for entry.

• The time and duration of the guest’s entry (duration of pass not to exceed five days).

• The guest’s destinatio­n. After the pass has been issued, the visitor can depart and return without the sponsor present. However, sponsors are responsibl­e for any infraction­s their guests commit, whether or not they are with them at the time of the infraction.

When sponsors are traveling as passengers in taxis, not only will they be identified upon entering the installati­on; they must sponsor the taxi driver. As long as passengers have valid DoD identifica­tion or other authorized identifica­tion credential­s, they will be granted entry.

If no occupant possesses valid credential­s, they must proceed to the VCC to obtain a pass. Occupants younger than 18 are not required to obtain a pass but must be accompanie­d or sponsored by someone 18 or older.

Vendors who frequent the base daily, such as pizza delivery drivers and shipping-service couriers, will receive a contractor’s badge issued to them by the 19th Security Forces Squadron Pass and Registrati­on office. Taxicab and ridesharin­g-services drivers are required to get a visitor’s pass before entering the base. Delivery drivers for larger products, such as newspapers and auto parts, will go through the Large Vehicle Inspection Pit, where their vehicle will be examined and then receive a pass.

The strict rules and processes to enter military installati­ons such as the Trusted Traveler program are in place not only to protect the property of the U.S. government, but one of the most important assets of all: airmen and their families.

 ?? U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS GRACE NICHOLS ?? A 19th Security Forces Squadron defender checks an ID before allowing a service member to enter the installati­on Aug. 29 at the Little Rock Air Force Base. Before even entering the base, personnel are met by security forces defenders who operate all entry and exit points, as well as patrol the base.
U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS GRACE NICHOLS A 19th Security Forces Squadron defender checks an ID before allowing a service member to enter the installati­on Aug. 29 at the Little Rock Air Force Base. Before even entering the base, personnel are met by security forces defenders who operate all entry and exit points, as well as patrol the base.

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