LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --
Little Rock Air Force Base is implementing an Air Force-wide
requirement of the REAL ID Act to its installation access policies beginning Sept.
15, 2016.
The act establishes minimum security standards for license
issue and production. Additionally, it prohibits federal agencies from
accepting driver’s licenses and ID cards from states that do not meet the Act’s
minimum standards.
“The REAL ID ACT enhances security by improving the
reliability of state-issued identification documents and helps prevent a
person's ability to evade detection by using a fraudulent form of ID,” said
Jeffery Bardsley, 19th Security Forces Squadron visitor center section chief.
Including Arkansas, 47 states, are compliant with the REAL
ID Act and will be implementing changes starting mid-September. Currently, Minnesota,
Washington and the U.S. territory of the American Samoa do not meet minimum
standards.
As a result, state-issued identification cards or driver’s
licenses from these states will no longer be accepted at any Air Force
installation, unless it is an enhanced drivers licenses.
Though ID cards, which do not meet security and
data-collection guidelines, will not be accepted, alternate forms of
identification will be allowed. Alternatives include a valid U.S. or foreign
government-issued passport, an employment authorization document containing a
photograph, or ID cards issued by government agencies that include a photo and
biometric information.
The most significant demographic impacted by this implementation
will be non-DoD affiliated personnel or guests who do not possess personal
identity verification credentials.
According to Air Force officials, all individuals attempting
to gain access to an Air Force installation without a DoD ID card will be
subject to a routine background check.
Those who do not have the accepted documentation for
installation access will not be permitted to enter the base without an approved
escort.
“We take the safety of our service members, civilians and
their families very seriously,” Bardsley said. “The security of our people is
one of the Air Force's highest priorities.”