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Gate guards work with Air Force to stand watch over Kirtland

  • Published
  • By Jennifer Emmons
  • Nucleus journalist
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  We see them every day, working hard to ensure the safety and security of everyone on base, yet few people understand the sacrifices they make and the hard work they do every day to make sure traffic and security issues are met.

They are the gate guards who stand watch at each entrance here, who monitor and secure base entry and make sure only those with proper background and vehicle inspections come here.

Through a federal contract, Computer Science Corporation/Allied Technology Division, attached to the 377th Security Forces Squadron and headed by Dennis Williams, has been managing the security guards and the administration of the day-to-day tasks of the visitors' centers and all the gates on base for two years.

Prior to CSC/ATD, military guards worked the gates, including Air Force, and Army.

"Our top priority is that we are entry control for Kirtland," Mr. Williams said. "We are the first set of eyes and ears for security of the base."

The security of the entry onto the base is a strenuous task which consists of thorough people and vehicle inspections wherein Mr. Williams and his staff of 74 work closely with Kirtland Law Enforcement.

Gate guards have the authority of detainment and law enforcement has authority of arrest, he said, and the relationship between the two security forces is great.

"We have a super relationship with law enforcement -- we call them and they are there," Mr. Williams said.

Training that the guards go through is very extensive. "It's a very selective process," he said.

The guards undergo 40 hours of Air Force training along with having to pass Air Force and state qualifications.

Of the last group of 11 guards hired, Mr. Williams said, he conducted 35 interviews and over 112 telephone calls. Most of the guards are retired military, he continued, including former rangers, Marines, Airmen and former police officers.

"All of our employees have years and years of experience," he said. "Out of the 74 employees we have some 1,200 years of security experience in the military."

John Trejo, a captain with CSC/ATD, manages the day-to-day operations of all the gates.

"I relay all info from Mr. Williams to those in the field," Captain Trejo said. He also oversees four lieutenants and the other 68 guards that run the gates.

"We are the first line of defense for the Air Force base and while working closely with law enforcement, we generate two to five arrests a day due to an array of reasons, from DWI to warrants," Chief Williams said.

Of the five main entry gates here, the most heavily trafficked is the Wyoming gate with Gibson and Eubank at a close second. The next busiest are the Truman and Carlisle entrances.

Contractors, delivery trucks, 18-wheelers and crosscountry vehicles have to come through the far west gate by the Sunport International Airport where 100 percent vehicle inspections are conducted.

Mr. Williams said that along with the obvious running of the gates, there is also internal management to handle. Recently, internal training was initiated, focusing on verbal communication skills and stress management.

"We have to prepare the guards with how to deal with the customer and to stay calm and continue to do proper inspections," he continued.

Another important issue guards deal with is making sure the gates are open in a timely manner to accommodate the customers who come on base.

The only 24-hour gates are Truman, Wyoming and Maxwell. The Eubank, Gibson and South Valley gate are opened by 6 a.m. and close at around 8 p.m.

"99.9 percent of people are understanding and patient, but sometimes with the number of customers on base, there is going to be some bottled up traffic, especially in the mornings," Mr. Williams said.

CSC/ATD also manages CIFMIS, the computer program that provides information about base sponsorship, at the Gibson, Wyoming and Truman visitors' centers.

The program allows the issuance of vehicle passes and people authorizations onto base.

In addition, CSC/ATD has taken over entry access lists in which they conduct approvals on parties larger than 10 people, for example, weddings and parties held here.

The lists are approved prior to the guests arriving on base, therefore, alleviating the visitors having to get individual passes.

"It's a tough job -- one that keeps all of us busy -- but it's a necessity and a task we are all up for," Mr. Trejo said.