Securing the base

  • Published
  • By Maj. Jason Harris
  • 22nd Security Forces Squadron commander
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  As your Security Forces Squadron commander, my job is to ensure a safe work place for Team McConnell. In order to accomplish this, we take an "outside-in" focus. What this means is, that we focus on securing our perimeter first and then work our way inside the base.

To help us secure the perimeter we try and leverage technologies. Soon you will see some of these technologies at the gate when you come in. The two I want to focus on are the Defense Biometric Identification Data System and the License Plate Recognition system.

DBIDS is the U.S. Air Force system of choice for positive identification of individuals entering installations. DBIDS also implements Homeland Security Presidential Directives that require screening of individuals and a mandatory government standard identity card for physical and logical access.

How does it work? DBIDS provides an automated method to identify and validate the access of personnel at access control points to Department of Defense installations, using barcodes and biometrics for identity verification.

What is the benefit of DBIDS? The main benefit is that it will reduce the risk of allowing unauthorized personnel on the installation. DBIDS also provides the ability to verify lost, stolen or fake identification cards, along with the ability to flag persons suspected of inappropriate activities.

There are several types of identification cards in use so; you might ask if your ID card will work with the system? DBIDS recognizes the following DoD ID credentials: Common Access Card, Teslin Card and DBIDS created cards.

We will begin installation of our DBIDS system on October 31, 2011. Changes might not be seen in the first few weeks, as we install, test and train personnel on the system. As with any new system, there is the potential for bugs or unforeseen problems. To compensate for those issues, we plan to phase in the DBIDS system as we work through any problems over several months. I appreciate your cooperation and understanding during this process.

The LPR system is a vehicle license plate reader which is comprised of both hardware and software components. This system will be used by SFS personnel to read the plates of vehicles entering the base in order to identify stolen vehicles, wanted persons, potential terrorist, suspended drivers, etc.

If a passing vehicle's plate is identified as being in a category of interest, the computer system application sounds an alarm. Security Forces will identify and verify the accuracy of the scanned information and then take the appropriate action when warranted. The LPR system is in use at other Air Force installations and has been very successful. Installation at McConnell has already begun, and we hope to have our system operational within the next few months.

You will hear more information about the DBIDS and LPR systems as we get closer to implementation. Again these systems are part of our effort to help secure McConnell, so that it remains a safe environment for you and your family.