ID cardholders required to register for new base access system

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Justin Weaver
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The force protection team at Aviano Air Base is encouraging all ID cardholders to register in a new access and control system soon or face being turned away from the base gates.

Beginning May 10, 31st Security Forces Squadron Airmen will start scanning ID cards at installation access points. Individuals accessing the gate during this time will not be required to register; however, they will be instructed on where they can get their ID cards registered since the system will become mandatory later this summer.

The Installation Access Control System employs handheld devices to validate ID cards at installation control points. IACS also provides the capability to maintain an automated historical record of personnel who have accessed U.S. Air Forces in Europe installations, receive immediate notification when a barred individual attempts to enter the installation, as well as support Force Protection Condition measures related to installation access control.

"It's an additional security measure we can use at the base to safeguard people," said Master Sgt. Jeffrey Stuart, 31st SFS NCO in charge of installation security. "It also guards against stolen and fraudulent ID cards."

Aviano is the last Air Force base in United States Air Forces in Europe to upgrade to the IACS system, which allows all base access credentials to be shared throughout all military installations in Europe for easier access.

"For now this will be an opportunity to train our personnel and to get the base population used to seeing the system in operation," said Lt. Col. Aaron Guill, 31st SFS commander. "We will not turn people away at this point."

Local national employees who have the plastic installation pass have already been registered in the system. Base contractors will be registered at the Large Vehicle Inspection Station gate. According to Guill, approximately 60 percent of the base has already registered in the new system.

"Our team did a great job of physically going with mobile registration stations to the units and allowing not only active duty members, but also all work center employees to register, to include their dependents," said Guill. "We are committed to making this as seamless as transition as possible."

Once phase one of the implementation is completed, individuals trying to gain entry to the base without being entered into the IACS will be turned away or directed to the visitor control center, where they will be given a temporary pass to get onto the base if needed.

The 31st SFS mobile registration team will be at the Area 1 community center May 8-9 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to register individuals for the new system. The process takes approximately five minutes to complete. Members can also get their ID scanned into the IACS at either the visitor's center or at the 31st SFS Pass and Registration Office in building 1403.

Pass and registration is open Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and can be reached at 632-4858.