Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson begins at gates Published Oct. 7, 2009 By Airman Jack Sanders 3rd Wing Public Affairs ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Members of Elmendorf's 3rd Security Forces Squadron are working with Fort Richardson's Directorate of Emergency Services to standardize installation access procedures across the entire joint community. With the combination of the two bases, the gate entrance procedures will merge to accommodate and safely allow Department of Defense members and their families access to the base. The new changes will offer more convenience to DoD members. DoD members will now be able to do things like, for example, signing in their visitors up to three days ahead of their arrival. This allows the guest to drive to either Visitor Control Center, receive a JBER pass, and enter the installation. "We're trying to make the whole process of visiting easier and more secure by making some very simple changes," said Lt. Col. David Briar, 3rd Security Forces Squadron commander. These changes are slated to begin Oct. 17 through Nov. 1, giving people plenty of time to adjust. These procedural changes are: All occupants 16 years of age or older in a vehicle entering the installation will be required to present a valid federal or state ID, 24 hours a day seven days a week. All IDs will be checked and electronically scanned. All persons 16 years of age or older not in possession of an ID will be referred to the nearest Visitor Control Center. Vehicle decals are no longer required regardless of which gate you will be entering. Vehicles decals will still be provided as a service upon request. Guests: o DoD ID card holders will be authorized to vouch for guests riding in the same vehicle while entering the installation without obtaining an additional pass. Guests will remain with their sponsor at all times. As a reminder sponsors will be ultimately responsible for any actions of their guests while on the Installation. o DoD ID card holders may sponsor guests for unescorted access up to 72 hours in advance of their arrival by physically going to a Visitor Control Center and registering them on the JBER Visitor Log. Up to nine guests may be sponsored in this manner. In the event a visitor shows up without earlier coordination, the DoD sponsor will still be required to meet their guest at a Visitor Control Center before the issuance of a JBER Pass. o A DoD ID card holder wishing to sponsor on 10-50 guests must request this on a 3rd Wing Form 22 no later than five days in advance, 50-100 guests require two weeks in advance, and 100 or more guests requires one month in advance. Non-DoD members wishing to take advantage of recreational passes on the Fort Richardson side of the installation must enter through the JBER East/Fort Richardson Main Gate. The vehicle will be inspected before gaining access into the cantonment area. Anyone, including DoD members, recreating on Fort Richardson must first register at the Ft. Rich. Visitor Center with U.S. Army Alaska and will be given a recreational pass that must be in their possession at all times. Veterans Affairs ID card holders requesting access to the base hospital will be scanned and must proceed directly to the hospital. Upon completion of their appointment, they must leave the base by the most direct route. Food/delivery/taxi drivers will be required to get a new scanable JBER pass. This process will take place over several weeks. However, these changes will not affect the services these vendors provide to base residents. While the changes are taking place, base residents should expect some delays entering the base during peak hours. "Even though we'll have extra manpower in place to keep traffic moving, we ask that people bear with us as we make these changes over the next couple of weeks," said Briar. The goal is for the installation access to be universal. "Eventually, the access procedures at both installations will overlap and work in conjunction with each other," said Master Sgt. Jeff Tibble, 3rd SFS plans and program superintendent. Briar said, he expects traffic flow to smooth out once people who live and work on the installations learn the new gate procedures. For more information, call Tech. Sgt. Mark Centeno, 3rd SFS NCO in charge of base access, at 552-6910.