DBIDS helps secure Team McConnell, resources

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Colby L. Hardin
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Before people can pass through the security gates here, the first step is to present their common access card to the 22nd Security Forces Squadron personnel for verification.

This is the first step taken to secure and defend Team McConnell and its resources. In 2011, McConnell was selected as a pilot base for the Defense Biometric Identification System, which is now used by all military branches.

"It has evolved into a faster, more inclusive program," said Capt. Chase Shields, 22nd SFS operations officer. "It's a finely-tuned tool that offers, not only a reliable screening layer, but in concert with other systems, an efficient, and cost-effective law enforcement and security tool."



Entry controllers use DBIDS, a wireless handheld device, on a daily basis to access information on each ID card presented at the gates. The system reads information about the person trying to gain entry and it displays the information to the controller on a screen.

Before DBIDS, ID cards were manually verified, to ensure authenticity and validation. The fairly new system now allows 22nd SFS Airmen to look up information such as arrest warrants, suspended driver's licenses and other information within 90 seconds of scanning.

Over 1.4 million cards have been scanned this year and more than 16,000 guests are scanned every year.

"Our intentions are to keep the bad guys off of our base," said Joe Tripp, 22nd SFS pass and registration section supervisor.

The goal for the 22nd SFS is to efficiently scan 100 percent of IDs coming on base.


"As with any system, there may be connectivity and durability issues resulting in minor delays," said Shields. "It is during those times that we ask for continued patience and understanding as we are trying to ensure the safety and security of this great installation and its people."

Updates are continually pushed through to make the system faster and more reliable for the base's first line of defense.

"If they are here on this instillation, we know," said Tripp. "We know exactly who's supposed to be here and who's not."