Have IDs ready at base gate

  • Published
  • By Tyler Hemstreet
  • Staff writer
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Starting Monday, 62nd Security Forces Squadron Airmen and U.S. Protect guards posted at gates here will check IDs for all vehicle occupants ages 16 and up at all times. 

The new requirement is designed to establish a standard protocol at all gates and further increase the 62nd SFS's ability to provide security for the base, said Maj. David Lederer, 62nd SFS. 62nd SFS officials are reminding people to have their military ID or state-issued license in their hand when they approach any of McChord's gates. 

"If everyone in the vehicle has their IDs ready, it will keep us from getting backed up at the gates," Major Lederer said. 

In a move which took effect June 15, U.S. Protect guards and 62nd SFS Airmen are now using a defense identification system to scan IDs. 

The system uses hand-held scanners to run the bar codes on common access cards and drivers licenses against multiple national law enforcement databases and McChord's personnel-exclusion roster, said Senior Master Sgt. William Riffenburg, 62nd SFS. 

"The system is capable of checking for fake, lost, stolen and terminated military ID cards, as well as criminal and terror suspects relatively instantaneously," Sergeant Riffenburg said. 

All unescorted personnel must still obtain a visitors pass from either the Visitor Control Center at the main gate or the Pass and Identification office in the customer service mall in Bldg 100. 

Visitors who remain under constant escort for the visit's duration do not require a base pass.