DBIDS improves visitor pass security

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jose Leon
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  With the implementation of the Defense Biometric Identification System 4.0 version in November 2011, McConnell became one of the first bases in the Air Force to up the quality of its security digitally.

These new processes have not only improved base security, it's also provided more convenient methods for Team McConnell members to obtain visitor access passes for families, friends or special visitors who are 16 and older and not in possession of a valid Department of Defense identification card.

Like a Common Access Card, McConnell visitors are required to have a VAP in their possession prior to gaining access to the base. Before the advent of DBIDS, the process of obtaining a VAP required a visit to McConnell's Visitor Control Center. Visitor access program allows these processes to be performed conveniently from a member's computer.

"Though the main benefit of going digital further prevents unauthorized personnel from gaining access to the installation, going digital has also made it easier [for sponsoring visitors]to gain access by keeping both base security and the customer convenience as a priority," said Joe Tripp, 22nd Security Forces Squadron Pass and Vehicle Registration superintendent.

This 'convenient' process begins at McConnell's SharePoint site under the 22nd Mission Support Group tab. After selecting 22nd SFS in the left tab, users will notice a tab titled "Visitor Control Center." This page provides a link to the Visitor Pass Program on the left tab. The forms to receive a variety of passes, including special events and extended, can all be located on this page.

All fields on the VAP requests are mandatory, with the exception of the request for vehicle information. A maximum of five visitors per sponsor per day is permitted. In all cases, visitors are required to present a current copy of their driver's license and, if they are driving a vehicle, they must provide current proof of insurance and vehicle registration. These requirements are all based on Air Force Instruction 31-113, Installation Perimeter Access Control, AFI 31-101, The Air Force Integrated Defense Plan and McConnell AFB Integrated Defense Plans.

Because the system does not require manual data entry, long lines of personnel registering for the system should be avoidable.

"It keeps people from having to come in here and stand in a line," said Megan Gammon, 22nd Security Forces Squadron security clerk. "They can drop [the form] into our ORG box and when we are not helping customers we can open it up, and we can correspond through e-mail with the sponsors."

For more information about VAP, call the VCC at (316) 759-4712 or 759-4713. The office is open Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday to Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information about DBIDS 4.0, visit the 22nd SFS page at www.facebook.com/22sfs.