Operational security exercise to impact Kirtland operations

  • Published
  • By Danielle Crawford
  • Kirtland Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Kirtland is gearing up for an operational security exercise, the first base-wide exercise under Air Force Global Strike Command. The exercise takes place Nov. 2 to Nov. 6 and will impact base operations and cause disruptions throughout the week.

Kirtland will test base security procedures through Force Protection Condition Delta, which will impact access to the base and its facilities. Movement on the base will at times be restricted and delays should be expected.  

"This exercise is a big deal and everyone should assume they are playing," said Estevan Trujillo, director of wing inspections for the 377th Air Base Wing Inspector General's Office.

Base employees should anticipate extended commute times, increased base traffic, anti-terrorism measures such as random vehicle checks, and a base-wide lockdown. 

"During the exercise, workers should try to minimize travel on and off base, curtail medical appointments and allow extra time when arriving or leaving the base, especially Tuesday and Wednesday," Trujillo said. 

There will be major impacts and delays at Truman Gate throughout the duration of the exercise, which will be fully exercising security protocols.  Other gates will experience minor delays and there will be impacts to Gibson Road traffic Nov. 3. Customers may experience longer wait times at the Consolidated Support Facility and other customer service facilities. AAFES facilities will not be affected, and there will be no impact to base housing, child development centers or base elementary schools.

Trujillo said the most impactful elements of the exercise have been scheduled intentionally to lessen negative experiences.

With the transfer to Global Strike, there are stronger exercise requirements and increased operations tempo, Kirtland will conduct more force protection exercises going forward. Trujillo said as part of the transition, the wing is now in a "tip of the spear operational environment" with new and different mission sets to support. 

"We all have much still to learn about how to support an operational major command," Trujillo said.