COMMENTARY: Airmail

  • Published
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico --  Bicycling visitors treated differently than vehicle passengers 

Question or concern: I live within a few miles of the base and enjoy riding my bicycle onto the base. On occasion, my domestic partner (I have chosen not to marry at this time) will ride with me. The gate guards will not let us pass through the gate on our bicycles even though she is allowed to enter the base if I drive a vehicle and she is within the vehicle.

Realistically, I see no difference from a security standpoint as I am responsible for her, either way, while on the base.

In light of the fact that we should all try to save energy, and get in shape while doing it, I find the policy that she cannot bike through the gate with me to be unduly restrictive without providing any real security benefit.

I would ask that you please reconsider this policy.

Response: Thank you for allowing us to address the guest policy for Kirtland Air Force Base. 

Guests are authorized on the base if properly sponsored. Sponsorship includes getting a pass from security forces at the gate.

For bicycles, pedestrians, etc., it is prudent to identify all personnel. Please keep in mind that as the Force Protection Condition goes up or specific security events occur, security forces will conduct 100 percent identification checks of all motor vehicle occupants.

In the best interest of you, your guest and Kirtland AFB, we suggest that you acquire and maintain a visitor pass for your guest at all times.

It is often a delicate balance between providing an appropriate level of force protection for the installation while allowing Team Kirtland agencies the flexibilities needed to ensure mission accomplishment.

As such, thank you again for voicing your concerns and allowing us to express our safety and security practices to Team Kirtland members.

Trees along Gibson Boulevard looking pretty sad 

Question or concern: I am concerned about the trees on Gibson Boulevard going into the base. Those trees sure look pretty sick and something needs to be done to them because they used to be very green but now they sure are sad looking.

Response:Thank you for contacting us with your concerns regarding the health of the junipers that line the Gibson Gate corridor. Civil Engineers noticed the health of these shrubs declining approximately three years ago and increased watering, fertilization, and entomology services to the shrubs without any improvement.

CE then contacted the State Agricultural Department to assess the shrubs. The assessment determined several issues that negatively impact the health of the shrubs.

First, the age of this variety of shrub is reaching its normal life expectancy which makes it prone to health problems. Second, the sizes of the shrubs and root balls have exceeded the original excavation and the surrounding soil is not conducive to increased health and growth. The proximity to the roadway and soil depth has contributed to root disease and root rot which impacts the healthy appearance of the shrubs. Finally, the planting of this number of the same type in one location is not advisable because it contributes to the spread of disease and mites impacting the overall health of the shrubs.

Based on the assessment results, CE has designed a landscape project to resolve the appearance of these shrubs.

The plan addresses all three problems by using different varieties of trees and shrubs that are better suited to our soil and desert environment with the added benefit of reduced water use. Also, the selected trees and shrubs will not engender allergic reactions as do the current junipers. This project takes into account expected growth, spacing, and addresses security concerns along our base perimeter.

Once the project is funded, CE will begin the landscape project.

I can't get a receipt for gas at East Side service station 

Question or concern: When will the service station be able to offer receipts again at the pump? They have lost this capability and have not had it for several months now.

Response: Thank you for contacting Airmail with your concerns about not being able to get a receipt from the gas pumps at the Kirtland Car Care Center.

I passed your concerns on to Stephen Weaver, our Army Air Force Exchange Service General Manager. Mr. Weaver researched the issue and found that it is a software problem affecting other AAFES Shoppettes world-wide.

This issue has been elevated to the Information Technology division at AAFES headquarters. Currently, the IT division has not been able to determine the problem or develop a solution. Unfortunately, there is no estimated date of resolution.

AAFES will continue to work the issue until they are able to resolve it. In the interim, cashiers will provide a receipt. AAFES apologizes for the inconvenience this causes for our customers.