Barksdale boosts base security

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman David Y. Zheng
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Barksdale is officially bringing online the Defense Biometric Identification System, or DBIDS, at the installation gates. 

On Oct. 15th base security personnel will begin scanning the identification cards of everyone coming through the gate. This means anyone wanting to enter Barksdale must register their Department of Defense ID card into DBIDS. 

"DBIDS is a system developed by the DOD for the protection of personnel and property and it's also for installation access," said Senior Airmen Jamey Lee, 2d Security Forces Squadron DBIDS administrator. 

DBIDS will allow security personnel to see more than just the information printed on the ID card. Scanning a DBIDS registered ID card will bring up real-time biometric information, such as an individual's finger prints and photo. 

"When you register, the DBIDS system is going to tap into the defense enrollment eligibility reporting system, or DEERS, and it's going to pull as much information from DEERS as possible," said Technical Sergeant Shawn Elmore, 2d SFS non-commissioned officer in charge of pass and registration. "It gives us information on who you're related to. It tells us whether you're on base to go to school or whether you're on base as a contractor. It will tell us if you're married, not married, if you have weapons, your vehicle make and model." 

DBIDS will not only give security personnel more information on an individual, it will also keep track of everyone entering the installation. 

"DBIDS allows the base commander to specifically identify who is coming on base and at what time they came on base," said Sergeant Elmore. "It gives us a more in-depth tool in the law enforcement community. It broadens the spectrum of force protection for the base commander and for security forces." 

In the end DBIDS is an additional security measure to help keep Barksdale secure.
"The biggest benefit is that it's going to keep the base safe," said Kimberly Brookings, 2d SFS pass and registration clerk. "Right now we have a lot of things going on at the base. With all the contractors, visitors and new commands coming in, there are a lot of new people and it can help track who is allowed on the base." 

Security Forces is in the process of registering all 40,000 to 60,000 personnel who routinely require access to Barksdale. Everyone who has a DOD ID card must be registered in DBIDS. Anyone who currently has DOD ID card will not need a new ID, only visitors will receive the DBIDS card, 

Personnel can register into DBIDS at four locations: west gate visitor's center, east gate visitor's center, military personnel section and the 917th Wing headquarters building customer service.