Articles

MSG Corner: Defending Andersen 24/7

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mariah Haddenham
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  The 36th Security Forces Squadron dedicated gate guard section and Visitor Control Center are responsible for the daily admittance of Department of Defense card holders and sponsored guests on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

The VCC and 36th SFS dedicated gate guard section help steer visitors and members of Team Andersen in the right direction by helping individuals obtain the proper documentation and verify it upon arriving at the gate. This helps keep Andersen safe and builds rapport with the local community.

"The VCC is a knowledge center for the whole base," said Master Sgt. Rodney Banes, 36th SFS VCC noncommissioned officer in charge. "On average, we assist 200 to 300 customers a day. We conduct background checks and provide documentation. In doing so, we are ensuring the dedicated gate guards that the individual's admittance to base has been approved."

The VCC is responsible for issuing vehicle registrations, decals, visitor, temporary vehicle and contractor passes. They also oversee the process of giving international and extended family base access.

Those wishing to obtain vehicle passes must provide a driver's license, proof of insurance, registration, and military identification card. When looking to obtain a visitor's pass, the person must present a valid form of identification and have a Department of Defense cardholder over the age of 16 to sponsor and escort them onto base. Non-U.S. citizens requesting a visitor's pass require five to seven days for a background check and approval.

"We are the first impression of Andersen," said Staff Sgt. Ollie Bradley, 36th SFS shift leader. "We aim to help as many visitors and servicemembers as possible, while exhibiting the utmost professionalism at all times. What we do is important because it affects the safety of others. We control who enters this base, and we take that job very seriously."

For any questions or concerns in regards to accessing the base, contact the VCC at 366-5650 or 366-5651.