Base vehicle decals no longer issued at Nellis Published Feb. 23, 2007 By Senior Airman Travis Edwards Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Base vehicle registration decals are now a thing of the past. Starting today, vehicle decals to get on Nellis and Creech will no longer be issued. After Sept. 11, 2001, security at all Department of Defense installations was modified to require a 100 percent ID check for all drivers accessing the installation gates. According to Air Force officials, the use of vehicle decals is redundant because ID card checks are more effective in verifying the authority of a driver to enter the base. The DoD ID card will be the primary proof of authorization to enter Air Force installations. Gate sentries will use, but are not limited to: driver's license, insurance and registration for ID verification. "Locally, we save approximately $5,000 annually for the decals that state either Nellis or Creech," said Willie Garrett, 99th Security Forces Group deputy. "That doesn't include the year decal or the registration number." The decals are an expensive duplication of state registration and licensing. The Air Force spends hundreds of thousands of dollars a year on procuring the decals and countless resources on issuing them. Security forces are able to verify vehicle ownership through vehicle registration. Vehicle decals are also a force protection vulnerability. They are easily counterfeited, moved from one car to another or found in used car parking lots. Additionally, when an installation gate sentry is focusing on vehicle decals, it hinders proper scrutiny of vehicle occupants, which is a key vulnerability, said Mr. Garrett. "The entire process should be relatively seamless to all personnel," said Mr. Garrett. "The only time anyone should notice is when their current year decal runs out ... they won't have to make a trip to the orderly room or pass and registration to get their registration renewed." Air Force members will still have to comply with the entry requirements of each non-Air Force installation, which may require getting a visitor's pass. Security forces will also check for compliance with insurance, state registration and safety inspections randomly at the installation gates and during traffic enforcement. Motorcycle operators will still need to comply with base safety standards and have required training before being allowed to ride on AF installations. Visitors will continue to follow the entry procedures established at each Air Force installation. The Air Force has placed a mandatory completion date of March 15 for compliance on this directive.
