Barksdale traffic rules keep mission rolling

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joseph Boals
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The roads on Barksdale have a few rules to keep drivers safe and the mission on track.

The speed limit on Range Road by the East Gate has changed from 45-to-35 miles per hour. The 45 mph limit was too fast for vehicles entering or exiting to do so safely. The slower speed allows vehicles to turn into the Visitor's Center, enter traffic and or exit the gate.

Another recent addition is the barrier system at the North Gate. This system differs from the West Gate barrier because of the traffic signal.

"The barrier lights were set up and governed by Air Combat Command anti-terrorism force protection. The outbound lane traffic is green all the time and only goes red if the barrier is activated," said Master Sgt. Sidney Pitcher, non-commissioned-officer-in-charge of police services. "ACC dictates the inbound lane light to be on red and then turn green to allow only one vehicle through. A sensor detects backed-up traffic and then changes to a flashing yellow for 15 seconds to allow for traffic flow. Drivers usually see the flashing yellow and stop."

Drivers are allowed to proceed through the barrier when a yellow light is flashing. Vehicle operators are asked to treat the signals as ordinary traffic lights.

"These are treated as traffic signals. Green means go, yellow means caution, red means stop. Flashing yellow and red is the same as a steady yellow or green," says Sergeant Pitcher.

Drivers must also be aware of the red alert lights posted at various intersections on base. The Klaxon and red alert lights are used to notify alert crews to respond to an airplane configured for quick launch. During the Cold War, B-52's were the preeminent strategic bomber. Since the end of the Cold War, B-52's no longer pull day to day alert. However, visiting aircraft on Barksdale sometimes carry an alert mission. Visiting airplanes such as the National Airborne Operations Center E-4b, E-6, and Airborne Command Post, park at the Warrior Center and use it as an alert facility.

The mission these aircrews have is airborne command and control. They communicate with alert forces that might be on alert, bomber generated or ICBM crews or submarine crews.

"Besides the visiting alert aircraft, the 2d Bomb Wing will periodically have local and higher head quarter-directed exercises, generating aircraft, maintainers, and aircrew up to alert status and possibly exercising the Klaxon and alert response routes," said Lt. Col. Michael Hoh, chief of Barksdale command post. "Also, with Air Force Global Strike Command now headquartered at Barksdale, a betting man might think there would be a greater airborne alert C2 presence here in the future."

The Barksdale supplement regarding the Klaxon and alert lights reads as follows:

AFI31-204_BARKSDALEAFBSUP1

4.3.1.2.7. (Added) (BARKSDALE) Alert (Klaxon) Lights: Alert lights on Barksdale are used to signify an emergency response by alert aircrew to their assigned aircraft; therefore, alert lights are considered a traffic control device. Whenever alert lights are flashing, all non-emergency traffic (traveling from all directions) shall pull over and come to a complete stop until the alert lights stop flashing.

The Command Post conducts weekly tests of the Klaxon every Monday at 10:00 a.m.