LVIS gate opens, enhances force protection

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  After nearly two years of construction, the Large Vehicle Inspection Station on Area F of Aviano Air Base opened for business Sept. 28, advancing the base's capability in inspecting contractor vehicles and ensuring greater force protection for base resources and personnel.

With the opening of LVIS, comes the closure of Gate 10 located next to the flightline shoppette, which was only open as a temporary measure until LVIS was complete. Unlike Gate 10, LVIS is for contractor vehicles only, all government and privately owned vehicles are required to use the North and South Gates when entering and exiting Area F.

"LVIS is a great asset to Aviano Air Base," said Suzanne Bilbrey, 31st Mission Support Group deputy director for installation support. "It's unique in that it provides one dedicated entry control point for all contractor vehicles to process into the base. Large vehicles can be inspected efficiently according to all current Department of Defense and U.S. Air Forces in Europe guidelines, using an engineered containment structure, undercarriage inspection pits, a contractor badging facility and vehicle escort area."

"In addition to providing greater force protection with efficient inspection facilities and advanced techniques, this dedicated contractor entry control point moves this segment of traffic from the Aviano-Pordenone Highway," she added. "This improves traffic flow, reduces congestion, and removes potential safety problems by separating privately owned vehicles from large vehicle traffic. It also provides a new facility that replaces the temporary structure we have been using for several years."

With all GOV and POV now commuting through the North and South Gates, base officials are working toward adjusting the number of lanes and identification card inspectors during peak hours to handle the additional traffic entering through the gates.

The North Gate hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday thru Friday. The South Gate is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"This project would have been impossible without a strong partnership and vision with the Italian government, Italian Air Force leadership, local government officials and our community partners," said Ms. Bilbrey. "Just like the roadway connection to the South Gate, (which opened in May 2009) their help was critical to the success of these projects."

The LVIS, also known as the Contractor Gate, continues its previous hours of 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.