HILL AIR FORCE BASE – Drivers heading onto Hill AFB through one of the three main gates have a new way to determine what travel times look like via a recently added feature on Hill’s Air Force Connect App.
Members from the 75th Security Forces Squadron saw a need and came up with the Gate Travel Times feature as a way to help traffic flow after receiving complaints relating to slow traffic throughput when entering the installation.
The new feature within Hill’s Air Force Connect app allows base personnel to see estimated travel times depending on the gate selected.
“We ask a lot of our Defenders and they deliver in spades,” said Col. Khalim Taha, 75th Mission Support Group commander. “The goal here was to take existing technology, give it an easy access platform, and integrate our commuters with a decision tool to plan ahead as they drive to work.”
Taha said the most common reason for delays at the gate is the sheer volume of personnel accessing the base during peak morning times.
“Our Defenders must balance expedience and demand without compromising base security,” he said. “This feature, developed by 75th SFS members, helps achieve this by arming commuters with data to assist in early decision making.”
TSgt. Kyle Williamson, 75th SFS flight sergeant received full support from squadron, group and wing leaders as he helped spearhead the effort.
“The Gate Travel Times feature gives all base personnel real-time data to make informed decisions on their route of travel during peak traffic hours,” he said.
Williamson used Google Maps to perform the calculations of approaching the gates from the most popular routes, then asked public affairs to assist in using this data and ultimately got the feature added to Air Force Connect.
1st Lt. Kayla Fitzgerald, 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs, said it was a natural fit because the Air Force Connect App is designed to enable and empower Airmen by centralizing information they can use.
“Modernizing the force has been a key message that we often hear from senior leaders,” Fitzgerald said. “While the Gate Travel Times feature may seem like a minor detail, it shows how our Airmen leverage technology in an innovative way to better operations and quality of life.”
The Air Force Connect App can be found in both the Apple and Google App stores. Once the application is downloaded and installed, select Hill Air Force Base when prompted to add favorites. Once favorited, users can swipe left from the USAF Connect home screen to access the base platform.
To use the new gate feature, click on “Gate Travel Times” and select the gate/direction of travel to use.
To provide feedback, make a suggestion or for general information about the app, contact the Public Affairs office at 75ABW.PA@us.af.mil.