Past Articles - Physical Security

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Slipping Up at the SLC (& Other Places)

by Bill Uttenweiler
Aerospace Corporation
Vandenberg AFB, CA

The last two launches from SLC-4 West were unclassified. SLC-4E has been under renovation for months, with the resulting freezone and relaxed entry control restrictions. Those are conditions which could easily cause people to slip up on basic security procedures. Now is a good time to refresh ourselves on security procedures for resitricted areas like SLC-4, building 7000, etc.

* Before allowing a visitor into an area, the escort official (the person with "E" on his or her badge) must brief the person on safety and security procedures. The safety portion is especially important for the SLC and other areas where hazardous materials are stored and processed.

* VAFBR 207-1 allows an escort official to "delegate the function of surveillance and control to an individual who is mature, responsible, known personally to the escort official, has unescorted entry privileges, and may not further delegate escort duties [emphasis added]." You may only delegate escort responsibility once. The visitor may not be handed indefinitely from one person to another.

* Contractors cannot accept escort responsbility if the visitor was signed in by a military person. Again to quote the regulation, "The agency sponsoring the visitor will be responsible for providing the escort official." If an Air Force person signs the guest into the area, another Air Force person must be the escort.

* Likewise, contractors cannot escort responsibility from an employee from a different firm.

* Training once in a career is not enough. AFR 207-1 and VAFBR 207-1 require Phase II (Continuation) training annually for everyone with an AF Form 1199A, whether or not have have escort privileges.

* Even though it is sometimes convenient, don't car doors unlocked. And never leave keys in a car.

[Webmasters note: This article was originally written in July 1994 for the VSAC News. The regulation numbers have changed, but good security practices haven't.]