The Department of Defense and U.S. Northern Command have directed additional force protection measures at military bases across NORTHCOM, which has caused some noticeable backups at Tinker Air Force Base gates.
These security measures include randomly suspending the Trusted Traveler Program at Tinker, increasing random searches of vehicles that come through the installation gates, and inspecting smaller commercial vehicles that come through the installations entry control points.
The time it takes for Airmen to implement these extra security measures that keep the base population safe have caused some delays at various gates throughout the day. However, Helems said there are steps members of the Tinker community can take to reduce wait times.
First and foremost, everyone in the vehicle should have their photo ID ready, whether they’re DOD employees or not. If someone knows they forgot their ID or common access card at home, they shouldn’t try to see if Security Forces will let them through anyway, they should go home and get it. Helems also suggested trying to vary the times Tinker employees go through the gate.
