RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
A project designed to enhance force protection at three of Randolph's gates is under way.
The $4 million project involves the installation of final denial barriers - pop-up vehicle barriers used to deny base access to unauthorized vehicles - and the construction of complementary containment walls at the south, east and west gates.
Mance Clark, 902nd Security Forces Squadron antiterrorism force protection officer, said the project at Randolph adheres to the Department of Defense's Unified Facilities Criteria Program, which requires DoD installations to follow common criteria and minimum construction standards to mitigate antiterrorism vulnerabilities and terrorist threats. He said the initiative "hit the ground running" after Sept. 11, 2001.
"It's a force multiplier in force protection," Mr. Clark said. "In comparison to years past, we've come out of the dark ages. Before, we had to use deadly force. Now with final denial barriers, we can stop a threat without shooting anyone."
The design and placement of the Robotic Security Systems Inc.'s electric wedge-type barriers "give security forces a chance to react and stop the threat and use less than lethal force," he said. All of them are placed on roads inside the gates at a distance that gives guards adequate reaction time.
"The real estate behind that barrier is protected," Mr. Clark said.
The project has begun near the south gate, where five barriers will be installed - on two lanes near the golf course, two lanes of a new portion of West Perimeter Road and an outbound lane of West Perimeter Road close to the south gate.
The east gate will feature a barrier on each of the two inbound lanes on Fifth Street East and bollards on East Perimeter Road, though options for the gate are still under study, Mr. Clark said.
Plans for the west gate call for five barriers on Third Street West - two on the inbound lanes, two on the outbound lanes and one on the turning lane - and four at the medical clinic access points, he said.
The construction of 18-inch-high containment walls alongside roads will complement the system, preventing unauthorized vehicles from circumventing the barriers.
"There's no escape," said Peggy Hill, 902nd Civil Engineer Division project manager. "Vehicles can't jump the side walls. They're 18 inches high and they're back-filled. They don't give you a place to hide."
Ms. Hill said she does not anticipate total road closures as a result of the project, although the installation of each barrier will require the closure of one lane.
"We won't allow them to work during commuting hours," she said.
Ms. Hill said she also expects all of the barriers to be installed by the end of the year, weather permitting.
Mr. Clark said in the event barriers are activated, motorists should heed the flashing red lights that will result.
"The final denial barriers are there for your protection," he said. "If you see a red light flashing, stop."
The main gate already complies with the standards of the Unified Facilities Criteria Program. Its enhancements, completed in 2003, include four hydraulic final denial barriers on the inbound and outbound lanes of Harmon Drive and ballistic glass, which was also an improvement at the west gate outpost.
In addition, the main gate was moved farther away from FM 78 to give gate guards more time to react to possible threats, an enhancement that also improved traffic flow.
Projects to improve the entry road to the south gate, including an extra traffic lane, and West Perimeter Road from the south gate to the west gate are also under way.