OFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- Offutt recently became the first Air Force base to allow taxi services without DoD-issued credentials or a pre-coordinated Entry Access List to enter the installation.
It is a simple process that begins with a phone call to the 55th Security Forces Squadron Emergency Control Center.
“It is extremely important to know who is entering the installation and imperative that the individual requesting the taxi contacts the ECC prior to their arrival to start the vetting process,” said Tech. Sgt. Raymond Santiago, 55th SFS Operations Support flight chief. “The ECC will ask for information such as what time they are requesting pick-up, where the pick-up will occur and who is going to be picked up. The caller will also leave a name and call back number, giving our defenders a focal point for when their transport arrives.”
Once the call is made, the taxi driver is vetted through the National Criminal Database.
Upon their arrival to the gate, the vehicle is subject to a search and their driver’s license is left with a gate guard. After the driver retrieves their passenger, they will exit the same gate they came in and retrieve their license.
“While many bases are in the crawl phase of their program, Team Offutt has stepped into the lead,” Santiago said. “Our team prides itself on innovating and learning from not only the triumphs, but also our failures. By disseminating this information to other installations, we not only gain an opportunity for constructive feedback but also a chance to grow through collective knowledge.”
The decision was made after some hard work and planning between base leadership, 55th SFS and a myriad of additional units.
“The idea stemmed from Col. Michael Manion, 55th Wing commander,” Santiago said. “Then, the foundation was laid by Greg Derkatch, one of our many seasoned security forces civilians with over 36 years of experience. He was vital in collaborating with multiple agencies and bases to bring this service to Offutt.”
Initially, it may seem like a decision of convenience, but for the planning team it was about something more.
“The Warhawk team now has multiple ways to come to and from base safely,” Santiago said.
For more information contact the ECC at (402) 294-6110.