Gates to joint base getting security updates Published June 15, 2012 By David Poe Northwest Guardian JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Joint Base Lewis-McChord commuters may be wondering about lane closures and construction at 11 of the installation's Access Control Points. Throughout the summer, in compliance with Department of the Army and DOD directives, JBLM is installing Automated Installation Entry systems. JBLM's installation commander will have the authority to set AIE standards of operation. For example, the commander can determine what categories of personnel will be authorized to participate and what background vetting standard they will have to meet. All participants will be subjected to background screening. Final decisions on these criterion and other matters are pending. More information will be made available to the JBLM community throughout the summer. AIE is a computer-based access system that is designed to autonomously verify individual access credentials through the DEERS system and other databases. Today's Army wide AIE initiatives stem from 2004's Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12. HSPD 12 calls for not only a streamlined issuance of credentials, but also positive validation and verification. AIE users will have to register as "trusted travelers," similar to Department of Homeland Security expedited traveler programs. Members will be the only ones required to scan their ID cards at the ACPs, and when granted access, they'll be responsible for their visiting passengers while on the installation. DoD ID cardholders will be able to register for the AIE program at either visitor center (JBLM-Lewis, JBLM-McChord) or Waller Hall. This process should take about five minutes to complete. The DoD Product Manager, Force Protections Systems, has also directed development of a mobile registration system that will allow DES to take their registration operation on the road to special events or unit/activity work areas. Persons excluded from the "trusted traveler" program will still be able to gain access to JBLM by a standard guard check at all gates. AIE enrollees will still be subject to random inspections and AIE practices can be suspended with heightened Force Protection levels. Mel Austin, JBLM's security and access control chief, said AIE will enhance guard performance with the addition of the technological aid but the human element will never be removed from the access process. The expectation is that fewer guards will be required after implementation. " he said. "If the guard observes something that simply doesn't look right, they'll have the ability to stop the transaction and intervene." Austin said that gates where AIE is deployed will still be able to process personnel in the conventional manner and some gates are not being outfitted with AIE hardware at all due to cost-benefit considerations. AIE will be installed at the following ACPs: Liberty, D Street, DuPont, Logistics Center. Madigan, Transmission Line, Scouts Out, East, McChord Field Main, Barnes and Woodbrook Housing. According to DES, the main ACP (41st Street Gate) from Interstate 5 at JBLM Lewis North will not offer AIE service due to a lack of appropriate communications infrastructure and the physical layout of the gate simply wouldn't accommodate the hardware installation. For more information on AIE at JBLM, visit http://goo.gl/TyqCU for updated information throughout the year.