Window decals to end April 15, DoD IDs required for base entry

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stacy Sanchez
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Beginning April 15, Team Edwards will stop registering private vehicles on base and eliminate the use of base vehicle decals. 

Since September 11, 2001, security forces for military installations are required to perform 100-percent identification check on the driver who enters the installation. The ID checks greatly reduce the need for base vehicles decals since the decals used to be the primary method to enter the base. 

"Base vehicle decals have become a force protection vulnerability, and Edwards wants to reduce the risk of decals being counterfeited or being moved from one car to another," said Maj. Roy Collins, 95th Security Forces Squadron commander. 

Now that the policy has taken affect, Department of Defense identification cards will be the primary proof of authorization to enter Edwards, said Stephen Gerteis, the 95th Security Forces Squadron chief of plans and programs. Gate sentries will use, but are not limited to, driver's licenses, insurance and registration for ID verification. 

"Enforcement of insurance and registration will be conducted during random gate checks as well as traffic stops," Major Collins said. "It is the owner's responsibility to ensure their vehicles requirements are up to date before operating the vehicle on base."  

Motorcycle operators will still comply with base safety standards and must have required training before being allowed to ride on the installation. 

For base parking violations, security forces will identify the vehicle's owner through the California state registration database. 

"Since we have access to the California state registration database, there is no need to have people registering their vehicle on base," Mr. Gerteis said. "With the information we have, we can march individuals to a vehicle." 

For visitors who wish to gain access to the base, the same procedures as usual will continue, said Bill Zeigler, the 95th Security Forces Squadron Pass and Registration chief. 

"We recommend that vehicle owners remove decals from their vehicle when the change goes into effect," Mr. Gerteis said. "This will avoid advertising DoD affiliation while off-base, which could be of interest to potential terrorists, criminals or foreign intelligence operatives." 

After the removal of the decals, Edwards personnel will still have to comply with the entry requirements of other installations. 

For individuals who need to enter installations other than Edwards, they can leave their decals on their vehicle until DoD eliminates the decals on all installations, Mr. Gerteis said. If a decal has expired but is still needed on another installation, that particular installation can issue new decals for now.