New gate plans include road, visitor's center

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt Jason Bishop
  • Public Affairs
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  Proposed plans for Vance's new entry control facility were unveiled at a recent meeting at the civil engineer building.
URS Corp developed the design based on criteria set through the statement of work, which was derived from a study of the area, independent site tours with personnel from CE and security forces and interviews with personnel to include Vance medical and fire departments.
The idea of the design incorporates a road, visitor's center, guard gatehouse, vehicle inspection area and overwatch in the entry control point as well as gives it a sense of arrival.
The road coming to the base will be a half-mile extension of Gott Road out from the base to Southgate Road. The elevation of the road will vary with the highest points being at the gatehouse and the visitor's center to provide a clearer view of the area. This road also features several rejection points which offer a safe way for vehicles to turn around if denied access to the base.
The visitor's center consists of a roughly 2,400-square foot building large enough to handle 20 visitors and five staff members as well as a viewing deck. This acts as an initial screening area for individuals without Department of Defense identification cards wishing to gain access to the base.
The new gatehouse features vehicle attenuation barriers, bulletproof glass, improved lighting, two inbound lanes and a vehicle pull-off parking area.
The vehicle inspection area features a two-room shack, Capt Tim O'Bryan, 71st SFS, said. One room acts as an office for the SFS member and the other as a waiting room for the individual whose vehicle is getting inspected. The area also features communications capabilities and a canopy for the inspection area.
The overwatch is a covered, conditioned area removed enough from the gatehouse to allow reaction time if something were to happen to the guards there, Captain O'Bryan said. It will be more commonly used at elevated threat levels.
It's too early to know how long the construction will last, said Dennis McClurg, DynCorp Program Development. The final design is scheduled to be submitted July 30 with construction forecasted to begin in October or November.