LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
A new policy is changing the way visitors can be sponsored on base at Lackland.
Sponsoring a visitor onto the installation requires an authorized sponsor. Authorized sponsors are limited to active duty and retired military and their dependents over age 18, Department of Defense civilian employees, Reserve and National Guard on orders, and Inter-American Air Force Academy instructors. There are no other personnel categories that can sponsor a visitor onto the installation.
Authorized sponsors may request visitor entry in one of three ways:
· Send a digitally signed e-mail from a government e-mail account to
lackland.vrc@lackland.af.mil;
· Personally go to one of the visitor centers to vouch for the guest; or
· Send a hardcopy memo to 37th Security Forces Squadron, Pass and Registration. The hardcopy memo option requires a signed signature card be on file in Pass and Registration.
E-mail requests can be sent while a visitor is at the VRC although advance notice is preferred. For groups of 30 or more, 10 business days is required for processing.
According to Mark Levasseur, chief, plans and programs for 37th SFS, the change may be an inconvenience, but a necessary step in securing Lackland assets. All sponsors and visitors to the installation should be aware that a criminal history check may be conducted on all non-DoD individuals requesting access.
All visitors over the age of 18 must have a valid photo identification card in their possession and have an authorized sponsor.
"Every visitor on the installation, be it a contractor, personal guest, pizza delivery person, etc., are the responsibility of the wing commander," Mr. Levasseur said. "To mitigate risk to the Lackland personnel and mission, stringent entry protocols are a must."
Personal visit requests of less than 30 days require an authorized sponsor. Visit requests of more than 30 days but less than 179 days require an authorized sponsor along with an endorsed memo from the unit commander. The 37th Mission Support Group commander must approve visits in excess of 180 days.
"Although the base entry procedures may seem to be inconvenient, they are necessary to ensure Lackland remains a secure place to live, work and play," said Mr. Levasseur. "Through education and cooperation by all Team Lackland members, we can help to ensure we aren't the next national headline reporting a vicious attack."
For more information, call 37th SFS Police Services at 671-7255.