Enhanced security coming to Maxwell-Gunter
Posted 10/15/2010 Updated 10/15/2010
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by Carl Bergquist
Air University Public Affairs
10/15/2010 - MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Beginning in January, Maxwell-Gunter will start implementing the Defense Biometric Identification System to register everyone requiring access to the base.
Staff Sgt. Joshua Allen, 42nd Security Forces Squadron NCO in charge of pass and registration, said the Department of Homeland Security has mandated that all federal installations worldwide install systems like DBIDS.
Tech. Sgt. Daniel Barcomb, 42nd SFS resource advisor, said the DBIDS equipment needed for the new system has arrived at Maxwell-Gunter and will be installed at the gates between Oct. 25 and Nov. 12. He said the initial two-month registration period will begin Jan. 4 and will be for active-duty military members.
"Following the first two-month period, a four-month period will allow civilians, retirees, dependents and contractors to register their cards," Sergeant Barcomb said. "The later group can register during the first period if they chose but will have to go to the visitor's center or the 42nd Military Personnel Squadron to do so. At this point, we want to get the word out to everyone who accesses the installation that DBIDS registration is coming and is mandatory, but we also want to emphasize the first two months are primarily to register active-duty members."
The sergeant said following the registration period, at a time to be determined by the 42nd Air Base Wing commander, access to the base can be denied unless the person has a DBIDS-registered identification card.
Sergeant Allen said all DOD cards, such as Common Access Cards, merely have to be scanned at any one of several locations to be registered in the system. He said those who possess cards that cannot be scanned, such as dependent and retiree ID cards, will be issued DBIDS cards.
"We are still finalizing the details and will have flyers and a list of multiple and convenient registration locations on Maxwell and Gunter available to the base community in the near future," Sergeant Allen said. "During the first two months, base organizations will be serviced by mobile DBIDS units."
Sergeant Barcomb said enhanced security is a benefit for the base community as the DBIDS program will incorporate a degree of automation into the entry-control process. For example, DBIDS will be linked to the National Crime Information Center and be able to flag a person with outstanding arrest warrants who might be trying to enter the base.
The sergeant said about 50,000 registrations will be necessary for the Maxwell-Gunter workforce, with an additional 27,000 retiree and 18,000 student registrations required. He said the initial program is funded by Air Education and Training Command, with the 42nd ABW assuming funding responsibilities once the program is in place. |
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