Commentary: Airmail

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KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico --  Can F-22 get paint job, better visibility? 

Question: Why has the (once beautiful, but hardly noticed) F-22 display on Wyoming Boulevard been abandoned with the paint fading since it was first installed there? I say hardly noticed because of its location. 

I have spoken with a lot of people and almost everyone agrees that a better area to display this fine aircraft would be on the right side of Wyoming, just after entering the gate. This way anyone going to the Base Exchange, Commissary or Gas Station could see it. Most people visiting the base turn right two streets before the display.
I suspect the answer will be because funds are not available, but how much would a fresh coat of paint cost?

Answer: Thank you for contacting us with your concerns regarding the F-22 display on Wyoming Boulevard. The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center procured the model and will soon be contracting to have the F-22 removed and repainted.
As you suspected, money was the reason for the delay in the maintenance of the model. AFOTEC has secured the necessary funds and will have the display repainted soon. 

Regarding the location of the model, the current location was specifically designed for the display and funding to relocate the model is not available or feasible at this time. 

Can intersection on Wyoming get crosswalk? 

Question: I was leaving the base the other day on Wyoming Boulevard and stopped at the light going into base housing (second light going south on Wyoming). While at the light, a young woman pushing a baby stroller was trying to cross Wyoming, but the traffic at the light did not pay attention to her (traffic going east and west into base housing). 

This intersection does not have a crosswalk painted on the intersection, nor does it have a button for pedestrian crossings sign. Can a pedestrian crosswalk please be painted at this intersection before someone gets hurt?

Answer: Pedestrians and vehicles are never a safe match. It is critical that vehicle operators maintain situational awareness at all times while driving; a few seconds of distraction could be catastrophic for a pedestrian attempting to cross a street. This item has been added to the Base Traffic Working Group agenda. 

By the way, New Mexico law states Pedestrians Always Have the Right of Way in an intersection with a green light in their direction of travel; even when there is no crosswalk vehicles must yield. With this said, pedestrians also have a responsibility to maintain situational awareness when crossing streets. 

Pedestrians should always exercise due caution and cross streets only at intersections protected by traffic lights and with marked crosswalks; cross only when the roadway is clear -- do not become a statistic. 

What are the rules for concealed weapons on base?

Question: As you know it is a dangerous and violent world outside Kirtland AFB gates. Most states now have concealed carry laws which allow responsible citizens to carry up to a 45 caliber concealed pistol strictly for self defense. 

New Mexico has such a law and many retirees, I suspect, have a NM concealed carry license. Other states recognize NM concealed carry law and reciprocate by allowing the citizen to continue to carry a pistol in that state. Even the National Park Service has gotten on board and allows concealed carry in National Parks. 

At first the law enforcement community was opposed to concealed carry laws, thinking there would be "wild west shootouts" and the like. These initial fears have proven totally unfounded and many felonies such as armed robbery and even bank robbery have been prevented by armed and trained ordinary citizens. 

As another one of your responsible retirees who uses Kirtland AFB facilities such as the BX and Commissary on a regular basis, I wish to be sure I obey all AF Regulations when it comes to concealed carry. 

What are the AF Regulations on concealed carry? What are the KAFB Regulations on concealed carry? The "knee jerk" response could be something to the effect of, "You simply cannot do such a dangerous thing as carry a loaded pistol onto Kirtland AFB so don't even think about it!" 

What I request is not a "knee jerk" and emotional response but a reasonable answer based on facts, common sense and applicable regulations. If the State of New Mexico says concealed carry is a good idea then why doesn't Kirtland AFB get on board (if you are not already)? 

If concealed carry is strictly prohibited, what should a retiree do if he prepares to enter the gate? Put the pistol into his glove box? Go home and drop off the pistol? Continue onto the base and say nothing? 

You may be surprised at the number of retirees who are properly licensed and trained to carry a concealed pistol and this topic would be of general interest to many, both active duty and retired. 

I have NOT yet purchased a pistol, obtained the required background check or attended the N.M.-approved concealed carry training, but this is my future intent and I wish to get an "official" reading long before I enter the base. As always, I will obey all Air Force and Kirtland AFB regulations, as I value my access to Kirtland.

Answer: Thank you for contacting us with your questions regarding concealed carry regulations. I understand that concealed carry laws are becoming more common from state to state, and that some Federal areas are adopting similar standards. However, at this time, the Air Force has not adopted regulatory guidance that allows for concealed carry on its installations. 

In accordance with Air Force Instruction 31-101, transportation of privately owned firearms on the installation is prohibited except when being transported to and/or from authorized storage or shooting areas. 

When being transported on the installation, the firearm must be cleared and on safe with the breech open. The firearm must be transported in the trunk of the vehicle. If the vehicle is not equipped with a trunk, the firearm must be transported in a securable compartment closest to the rear of the vehicle. 

Transporting firearms in an open vehicle such as a bicycle, motorcycle or any other two or three wheeled vehicle is prohibited. Additionally, firearms are not to be stored in such a manner as to appear concealed, such as hiding a firearm on one's person and transporting it in a privately owned vehicle, hidden from view. 

These prohibitions apply to all who enter the base, including but not limited to: civilian and military members residing on base, dependents, visitors, retirees, contractors and subcontractors.