RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
About 160 Team Randolph Security Forces Squadron Airmen will be on duty during the Randolph Air Force Base Air Show Nov. 7-8, where an estimated 150,000 people are expected.
Five gates will be opened for base access, though two of them will be reserved for I.D. cardholders only.
"The south, east and stable gates will be open for the public to pass through," said Robert Vickers, 12th SFS chief of plans and programs and primary security coordinator for the Randolph Air Show. "At the west and main gates, there will be I.D. card checks. You won't be allowed to enter through those two gates without a government I.D. card or a vendor pass."
As part of the stepped up security precautions during the air show, 12th SFS Airmen will check visitors for contraband, explosives and weapons. They will also perform random vehicle checks as they see fit, Mr. Vickers added.
To speed air show viewers through security, Mr. Vickers offered a few tips.
"Things like camera bags, diaper bags and lawn chairs will be checked over," he said. Mr. Vickers also stated air show viewers are prohibited from bringing skateboards, bicycles or coolers.
Besides providing gate, roving and aircraft security, 12th SFS Airmen will be augmented by explosives detecting dogs from Lackland AFB. They will also watch the crowd with cameras.
"Cameras are a big help in the event of a lost child," Mr. Vickers commented.
With many cars expected to enter the base's five gates, Mr. Vickers added the entire east side of the base will be filled with parked vehicles. From there, there will be 22 contract buses, plus base buses, stationed close to parking areas. Those buses will transport air show viewers to the south and west portions of the airfield to view the aircraft while they takeoff, fly and land.
"It's an efficient operation," Mr. Vickers said of the parking and shuttling. "The feedback we had from people attending the last two air shows was positive in that regard."