Hill Air Force Base recently implemented Trusted Traveler Plus. The procedure will greatly reduce the numbers of visitors required to go to the Visitor Center for a background check and paper pass.
Government employees and military ID card holders will be allowed to vouch for their passengers, while the requirement for 100% ID checks for passengers will remain in place. Passengers will need to provide an approved form of ID, such as a driver’s license, to confirm their identity prior to being allowed access to the base. Contractors, civilian retirees, and foreign nationals are not allowed escort authority and will be directed to the South Gate Visitor Center for appropriate vetting.
“Overall, this new process will greatly streamline the installation access process while maintaining an acceptable level of security for the base and those of us who live and work here,” said Nate Huven, chief of plans and programs for the 75th Security Forces Squadron.
According to the Air Force Manual, Trusted Traveler allows authorized individuals the ability to vouch for the identity, fitness, and purpose of co-travelers who do not have authorized access. This was suspended in September, at Hill and numerous other Air Force bases, in an effort to increase local security posture.
The temporary suspension of Trusted Traveler allowed security forces to identify more than 100 individuals with warrants and more than 4,000 expired or terminated ID cards.
“It was clear that many personnel on the installation were getting complacent from a security perspective or simply did not know the rules for guests they sponsored onto the installation,” said Maj. Doug Dinkins, 75th Security Forces Squadron commander.
Based on new trends, as well as the number of personnel accessing the installation and changes in behavior driven by the suspension, officials have determined the installation has returned to an acceptable level of risk.
In a corresponding adjustment, the operating hours of the South Gate Visitor Control Center changed to 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.