Web-Based Enrollment Streamlines Visitor Pass Process

By Joe Bela, AFIMSC Public Affairs, 5 October  2021

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – A new web-based enrollment system, now deployed at several Air Force installations, is streamlining the visitor pass process and reducing foot traffic at visitor control centers.

Security forces personnel at the 902nd Security Forces Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, are now using the Defense Biometric Identification System Visitor Enrollment System to make the visitor pass request system more efficient. The Air Force Security Forces Center worked with security forces there to test and implement DVES, an integrated web-based enrollment system that streamlines visitor pass requests and reduces foot traffic at visitor control centers across the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force by Luke Allen)

Developed by the Air Force Security Forces Center, a primary subordinate unit of the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, the Defense Biometric Identification System Visitor Enrollment System, or DVES, integrates with the system currently used by security forces personnel to control access to military bases.

Together, the two web-based systems function to “link requestors, sponsors and visitor control centers in a virtual environment,” said Melia Goodman, installation access control chief in the AFSFC Law and Order Division.

Each year, security forces Defenders across the Department of the Air Force issue more than 1.7 million paper passes at visitor control centers, entry control points and commercial vehicle inspection areas. In addition, some 250,000 passes are issued annually at JBSA-Lackland, Texas, through a separate process that supports Air Force Basic Military Training graduation attendance.

Recognizing that issuing passes the traditional way is no longer efficient, staff at AFSFC began to look at new ways of managing the program. That led to the concept of DVES becoming a reality.

First tested in a lab environment at AFSFC, DVES proved to be “the innovative, no-cost solution we needed,” Goodman said. “Using existing capabilities of the Defense Biometric Identification System with DVES and the pre-enrollment web site significantly reduces the need for visitors to physically enter a brick-and-mortar facility. That can reduce manpower requirements at visitor control centers and get passes into the hands of the visitors more expediently and efficiently.”

Beginning in October 2020, the Air National Guard’s Ellington Field, Texas, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, and Tyndall AFB, Florida, conducted 90-day field test to capture data from bases with significantly different visitor pass procedures.

All locations reported substantial decreases in both pass processing times and foot traffic at VCCs. Ellington Field reduced processing time by 50 percent and saw a 70 percent decrease in VCC throughput. The 902nd Security Forces Squadron at JBSA-Randolph experienced similar results and proposed the use of customer-generated QR codes to further streamline the process.

Visitors complete the pre-enrollment registration using any computer or smart device. They then receive unique QR and alpha numeric codes that they provide to the sponsor along with a scanned copy of their driver’s license. The sponsor does the rest.

Security forces personnel with the 147th Attack Wing and Texas Military Department test the Defense Biometric Identification System Visitor Enrollment System at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston, Texas. The Air Force Security Forces Center worked with security forces there to test DVES, an integrated web-based enrollment system that streamlines visitor pass requests and reduces foot traffic at visitor control centers across the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo).

“After a successful background check, the system generates a visitor pass which can be emailed to the visitor who presents it at an entry control point for access. The entire process happens without the need to enter the VCC,” Goodman said.

Less traffic at the VCCs also helps us comply with today’s COVID health and safety protocols, Goodman added.

DVES was approved for full-scale implementation at all Air and Space Force bases in August. Tyndall’s 325th Security Forces Squadron launched the system in September. It made an immediate impact.

“DVES dropped foot traffic through our VCC by 95 percent within this first month of implementation,” wrote Maj. Jordan Criss, 325th SFS commander, in a recent message to AFSFC. “We really appreciate the support the (DVES) team has provided. It is definitely making our lives easier and is making us more mission effective.”

At JBSA-Randolph, Reuben Fleischman, 902nd SFS VCC lead, said the average wait time for a pass at the visitors center before DVES was about 15 minutes. “Now, if we have the proper documentation, it takes no more than three to five minutes to issue a visitor pass. And when it comes to renewals, it takes only one to three minutes,” he said.

“As vested members of the global AFIMSC enterprise, we play a vital role in the Air Force’s quest to accelerate change,” said AFSFC Commander Col. Aaron Guill. “Initiatives like DVES encompass this commitment by developing and delivering innovative solutions that enhance security forces’ mission sets and mold Defenders into the agile and lethal force today’s Air and Space Forces need.”

Commencement of LEOSA Application Services

Billy Smithshelley – Air Force Security Forces Center – 24 August 2021

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas --The Air Force Security Forces Center is excited to announce the re-award of the LEOSA contract to the Defense Consulting Service.

DCS is the prime contractor and exclusive provider of federally recognized concealed carry credentials to Active Duty, Guard, Reserve and Retired/Separated members of the U.S. Air Force Security Forces community. Since 2014 the Defense Consulting Service has credentialed over 9,000 U.S. Air Force personnel. Effective immediately all LEOSA applications and renewal processing will resume.

For more information on credential issuance and renewals, please visit http://leosaairforce.com/

Total Force Defenders Beta Testing AFSFC’s New Weapons Qualification Course

By Joe Bela, AFIMSC Public Affairs, 9 September 2021

An Airman assigned to the 355th Security Forces Squadron fires an M4A1 carbine during beta testing of the Air Force Security Forces Centers' proposed weapons qualification course at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Aug. 11, 2021. In the course, Defenders fire from various positions to simulate an active shooter incident. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alex Miller)

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – Defenders from across the Total Force are currently beta testing a new Air Force security forces weapons qualification course designed to enhance proficiency across the career field.

Developed by the Air Force Security Forces Center, a primary subordinate unit of the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, the proposed course will seamlessly instruct, test and evaluate weapons training for the more than 38,000 active duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and government civilian security forces members.

Twelve active-duty bases, two Air National Guard bases and one Air Force Reserve base are currently participating in the one-year beta test, which began June 1.

“The weapons qualification course is a forward-thinking effort, focused on enabling Defenders to adapt to a changing operational environment. Together, we will organize, train and equip Defenders to remain the most proficient and ready force,” said Brig. Gen. Roy Collins, director of Security Forces and deputy chief of staff for Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection.

“This improved course of fire will allow our Defenders to focus more on weapons proficiency after initial qualification,” Collins added. “Once qualified on any weapon in our inventory, it is imperative to immediately start to build upon proficiency and repetition to create Defenders who are ready to operate in current and future environments.”

The four-block qualification course supports many of the 32 recommendations proposed by the Security Forces Defender NEXT Initiative. One aspect of the new initiative seeks to modify weapons and tactics capabilities with a focus on air base ground defense as a foundational requirement for Defenders across the Total Force.

Although a viable rifle and carbine qualification course is currently in place for security forces, “senior leaders recognized a need for enterprise-level change with an emphasis on continuous and realistic training across the career field,” said Jason Seibel, AFSFC’s chief of Air Force combat arms at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

The course, in testing, incorporates training on a quarterly basis rather than annual weapons qualification, as is currently the case for Airmen and Guardians in the security forces career field. This transition to proficiency training integrates four blocks of training:

Block 1: Carbine marksmanship fundamentals and simulator training

Block 2: Short-range combat training and shoot, move and communicate skills training

Block 3: Limited visibility engagement training and virtual reality scenario-based training

Block 4: Marksmanship qualification and live-fire proficiency training for select Defenders

“The course provides instructors with what is called a building-block instruction method,” Seibel said. “Each block of training builds on the previous block. Defenders must successfully complete Blocks 1, 2 and 3 before taking the final qualification block. In this way, we develop Airmen from the novice, who graduates basic military training, to the expert Defenders who attend our advanced course, ensuring proficiency throughout their careers.”

Tech. Sgt. George Henry III, 355th Security Forces Squadron combat arms instructor at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, which is one of the test sites for the course, said it’s giving the career field a standardized way to accomplish weapons proficiency.

“This new course of fire will be used to pave the way for how Defenders qualify throughout the entire enterprise. Defenders will be shooting, moving and communicating during the entirety of the course,” he said.

Throughout the training, Defenders and combat arms instructors at each of the 15 test sites will provide data and feedback to Seibel and other combat arms training team developers at AFSFC. When beta testing ends May 31, 2022, the AFSFC team will analyze the input from the test sites and finalize the policy guidance with the goal of implementing the course by October 2022.

“This new course … benefits all Airmen who are charged with protecting our assets day and night. Today’s threats are evolving and our Defenders need to as well,” said Staff Sgt. Logan Goode, 355th SFS combat arms instructor. “Our Defenders will become more versatile and agile than ever before, allowing for better base defense and operations abroad.” (Senior Airman Alex Miller, 355th Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this story.)

 Department of the Air Force announces the 12 Outstanding Airmen for 2021

By Staff Sgt. Kiana Pearson, Air Force’s Personnel Center Public Affairs, 9 July 2021

U.S. Air Force graphic by Staff Sgt. Kiana Pearson

Air Force officials have selected the service’s top enlisted members, naming the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2021.

An Air Force selection board at the Air Force’s Personnel Center considered 35 nominees who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and Headquarters Air Force. The board selected the 12 Airmen based on superior leadership, job performance and personal achievements.

Twelve Outstanding Airmen of the Year (alphabetically, by command of assignment when selected):

 SMSgt Marcus D. Banks, Pacific Air Forces

 TSgt Christopher M. Bennett, Air Education and Training Command

 TSgt Justin D. Bennett, USAFE-AFAFRICA, 48 SFS, Lakenheath AB, UK

 TSgt Kelli A. Floyd, Air Combat Command

 SSgt Valerie M. Graw, Air Force Materiel Command

 SSgt Colleen F. Mitchell, Air Force District of Washington

 SrA Giovanni Pacheco, Airman Support United States Space Force

 SSgt Kristy L. Riley, Air Force Reserve Command

 SSgt Alex M. Sandmann, Air Force Global Strike Command, 5 SFS, Minot AFB, ND

 SMSgt Mark R. Schneider II, Air National Guard

 SrA Jamonica M. Smith, Air Mobility Command, 87 SFS, JBMDL, NJ

 MSgt Hannah E. Walters, Air Force Special Operations Command

The winners are authorized to wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon with the bronze service star device on the ribbon. They are also authorized to wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year badge for one year from the date of formal presentation.