Gate guards' new threads

Installation entry control officer, Don Tirpak, checks an identification card at the South Gate Monday. On Oct. 1, the contract with USProtect, the former security contractor ended, and the guards are now civil service employees. Majority of the new Defense Department guards are wearing the desert camouflage uniform as officials wait for their new uniforms, patches and badges. (photo by 2nd Lt. Bryan Bouchard)

New look for familiar faces

Published Oct. 4, 2007
By Airman 1st Class C.J. Hatch
Thunderbolt Staff Writer

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. - -- The guards at the gate took on a new look Monday when they began wearing the desert camouflage uniform without name, rank, or patches instead of their blue USProtect uniform.

The guards recently went through more than just a uniform change. USProtect's contract ended and a new Defense Department civilian contract took its place. Luke was one of three bases in AETC to switch to the DOD civilian contract. The guards will begin wearing the DOD contract uniforms Oct. 15. Other than a change of clothes the new DOD Civilian gate guards had to do a physical test, and new hires have to go to Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., for two weeks of training.

"We have about 30 people currently in training," said Master Sgt. Curtis Crigger, 56th Security Forces Squadron operations support superintendent. "The transition from USProtect to the new DOD contract is a seamless process. We have been able to transition most of the gate guards that were contracted through USProtect to the DOD contract."

The DOD contract also provides positions for DOD police to do patrols. Currently Luke has four DOD policemen, and in the future there could be more.

"Right now the new DOD police will not really affect the way we do things," Sergeant Crigger said.

In the highly deployed career field, the DOD contract will make it so bases in the U.S. can be protected by local contractors while security forces members can deploy when needed.