AEDC implements new identification system and base entry procedures

  • Published
  • By Raquel March
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  AEDC's police recently started using the new Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) to assist employees and visitors in gaining entry to the base.

Base police operating the new DBIDS scan an individual's Common Access Card (CAC) or similar DOD identification card credentials when individuals are entering the base security gates.

A quick overview of the system:

"DBIDS reads common access cards and most military identification cards," explained Dan Hawkins, an Arnold police supervisor. "There may be delays of 10-15 seconds the first time a card is scanned at an Arnold AFB gate. Upon the first scan, the identification card is registered locally and subsequent scans should be much faster."

Arnold police expect that eliminating the second ID card check - the local access card that shows that the employee is DOD, ATA, General Physics, or another long time contractor - will save time and accommodate the new DBIDS check.

Hawkins said the system would improve security and be beneficial in detecting a counterfeit ID.

"The quality of counterfeit IDs is getting better and it is much harder to detect them with the naked eye," he said. "When the ID is scanned, DBIDS will proof it, match it against the database and provide the operator with a photo of the authorized person. It will let the gate officer know if the person is allowed to enter, whether the person is restricted to a particular gate, time of day or force protection condition (FPCON) and provide any other security-related details needed to ensure protection of the base and personnel."

AEDC personnel will only need to present their CAC card for base entry but will continue to use their AEDC circulation control badge in the mission area.

What non-employee patrons of Arnold AFB services can expect:

With the start of the DBIDS entry, identification use and other base entry procedures will change.

The black service function badge, used by military dependents and retirees, was discontinued Feb. 13. These individuals will no longer use the black service function badge for base entry to access service function areas including the commissary, base exchange, VA clinic, Ascend Federal Credit Union, jogging trail, running track and the military assistance offices in the Administration and Engineering (A&E) building 100. Arnold police will allow these patrons access to the service function areas through the main gate and gate two without presenting the obsolete service function badge.

"These persons will not have an AEDC circulation-control badge so they should not be in our work centers or other areas of the base," Hawkins said.

There will also be changes to the base escort policy that applies to people entering the base who may have guests or people in their vehicles who do not possess DBIDS or other forms of DOD identification to include active duty or retired military. These people will no longer be allowed to be "vouched-on" by the DBIDS recognized patron. The guests or visitors will need to report to the visitor control center at the main gate to be screened and provided a temporary pass. These individuals must remain with the DBIDS recognized patron while at the service function areas mentioned above. If proper verification cannot be accomplished, then those guests or visitors will not be allowed on base.

"We regret this inconvenience, but Arnold Air Force Base does not have the latitude to ignore this DOD mandate," said Pat Eagan, ATA mission support director. "We ask our employees and service function patrons to be patient during this entry control change and to help us by having the proper identification information available as you approach the Arnold AFB gates.

"We also suggest you plan extra time for the initial phase of the entry control procedures to allow for appointment times and employee duty hours."