81st SFS issues reminder on proper base access

Published May 2, 2012
By Susan Griggs
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Keesler's security is the top priority for the 81st Security Forces Squadron's pass and identification team. It's their job to keep people who pose a potential threat on the other side of the base's perimeter fence.

In January, the Air Force published its first-ever installation access instruction. The new Air Force Instruction 31-113, Installation Perimeter Access Control, has standardized entry control procedures across the Air Force and is compliant with Department of Defense installation access published in late 2009, according to Staff Sgt. Jason Moore, assistant noncommissioned officer in charge of pass and identification.

The visitor center at the White Avenue Gate serves an average of 150-200 customers a day.

Sometimes visitors are frustrated at the process that clears them to pass through Keesler's gates. However, there are things that can be done to make the procedure move more smoothly.

"At times our office becomes extremely full of people requesting access to the installation," Moore said. "It's important that customers know the wait time could be longer due to the high volume of visitors and our short-manned staff. If guests have the necessary paperwork, it would make the process move a lot faster. It also helps if the guest knows exactly who they are visiting and the location of that person."

Department of Defense employees and military members are able to sponsor up to 10 individuals at a time.

To host a non-military group from off base, the sponsor must submit a Keesler base request access letter, preferably a week in advance but no later than two days in advance. The letter must have the visitor's first and last name, date of birth or driver's license/identification card number and the state of issue for all guests over 16 years old. A template for the visitor request letter is available from the pass and identification office.

Once the pass and ID clears the visitors, they're placed on a daily access listing used by the entry controllers at all three gates. Visitors are required to produce the driver's license or ID card listed in the access request.

"We have to positively identify and clear all visitors to determine if they present an unreasonable threat to Keesler resources or personnel," Moore said. He also stated that AFI 31-113 lists a variety of conditions that would prevent a visitor to gain access to the base.

Visitors who are driving should have a current driver's license, proof of insurance and vehicle registration. Vehicle decals or base stickers are no longer issued or required by the Air Force, but security forces are still charged with ensuring visitors have registered their vehicles in accordance with local laws.

Contractors with proper identification cards have base access, but aren't authorized escort authority. The AFI notes that others who are unable to escort visitors on base include Civilian Retiree Card holders, non-DOD Personal Identity Verification holders, Transportation Worker Identification Credential holders, DOD Privilege card holders, Veterans Identification Card holders, foreign national affiliates with a DOD common access card and local pass and card holders. There are limited exceptions for privatized housing residents.

"If someone wants to visit a patient at the Keesler Hospital, we'll call to verify that the patient is actually there," Moore said. "Then we can issue a pass for that day. If someone needs to conduct business at Sablich Center, the sponsor will either have to meet them at the visitor center or send a digitally-signed email from their government account to our organizational box, 81 SFS/PASS & ID."

The visitor center is open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. The office is closed on weekends and federal holidays.

When the office is closed, the sponsor must meet the guest in person at the White Avenue Gate and the entry controller provides a handwritten pass until the office reopens. Moore said that in the near future, the 81st SFS will be issuing Defense Biometric Identification System passes that are computer generated, rather than handwritten.

"The regulations are in place to keep positive control of all of our guests and visitors and ultimately to protect Keesler's resources and personnel," Moore said.

For more information, call 377-3844.