SFS offers installation access guidance for Nellis visitors Published Nov. 20, 2013 99th Security Forces Squadron Pass and Identification Office NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- If a civilian not affiliated with the U.S. military or Department of Defense wants to visit Nellis AFB there are certain procedures and rules that a visitor should be aware of prior to arriving at one of the installation's gates for access. The 99th Security Forces Squadron stresses that visitors be aware of what the process of visiting Nellis AFB entails. The Visitor Control Center now provides installation passes for both short and long term visits. All sponsors must direct their non-DOD affiliated guests to the VCC, where the visitor will undergo identity proofing, background check and can get issued a pass if no issues are discovered. The VCC is also the focal point for special functions and special events for guests who do not have DOD affiliation. Only valid DOD identification cardholders are authorized to sponsor visitors onto Nellis AFB. This includes active duty U.S. military service members, retirees, reservists, guardsmen, military family members and civilian DOD employees. A minor DOD ID card holder under the age of 18 cannot be a sponsor. Sponsors accept full responsibility for their visitor's conduct while on the installation. This includes but is not limited to if a sponsored guest shoplifts at the Exchange or gets a speeding ticket. Contractors, civilian retiree card holders, transportation worker identification credential holders, DOD Privilege card holders, Veterans Identification Card holders, foreign national affiliates with a DOD common access card, Local Defense Biometric Identification System pass and card holders are not authorized to sponsor visitors. Limited exceptions are made for privatized housing residents. Visitors who are driving must have a current driver's license, proof of insurance and vehicle registration. Vehicle decals or base stickers are no longer issued or required by the Air Force, but Security Forces members are still charged with ensuring visitors have properly registered their vehicles in accordance with local laws. If the visitor lives or works in Nevada they must have a Nevada driver's license in order to obtain a pass. To host a non-military group from off base, the sponsor must submit a special event access request, preferably a week in advance but no later than four duty days prior to the event. The authorized requestor will contact the VCC or email 99SFSS5B-PassandRegistration@us.af.mil from a .mil or government email account to receive proper paperwork to make the request. A minimum of five visitors are required to make a special event request otherwise the sponsor will need to meet their guests at the VCC and obtain a pass. All guests will undergo a background check as part of the vetting process. The sponsor or requestor will be contacted, notified of the results and advised to pick-up and distribute the Special Event Passes to their guests. The Special Event Pass process will be officially implemented Dec. 15, 2013. The sponsor will pick up the passes at the VCC. The guests are required to present their Special Event Pass along with their driver's license to the installation entry controller on the day of the event. The Special Event Pass facilitates one time access for the day of the event only. The entry controller will keep the Special Event Pass upon entry. Visitors seeking access to the Mike O'Callaghan Federal Medical Center must also follow certain guidelines. Visitors who are driving must have a current driver's license, proof of insurance and vehicle registration. Upon arrival to the gate a call will be made from the VCC to the medical center to verify the patient is actually there and a pass will be issued for that day. A back ground check will be conducted before entry, and if any disqualifiers are found access will be denied. For those visitors who seek to conduct business at Nellis AFB an authorized sponsor will either have to meet the person at the visitor center or send a digitally-signed request email from their government email account to the VCC. All proper documentation must be submitted three duty days prior to validate the business visit. The Visitors Center serves an average of more than 200 customers daily. Guests who bring the proper required paperwork facilitate a faster process. It also helps if the guest knows exactly who they are visiting, the location of that person and a good phone number for their contact. It's important that customers know the wait times might be longer due to a high volume of visitors and the time of day they are visiting. For more information, contact the 99th SFS Pass and ID Office at 99SFSS5B-PassandRegistration@us.af.mil or 702-652-8681.
