DBIDS: Getting the job done

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Airmen and base personnel are used to pulling out their government Common Access Cards in order to gain access to base; however, the process changed Nov. 1, 2011 when CACs were scanned through the Defense Biometric Identification System.

This system is a Homeland Security and Department of Defense initiative used to manage personnel, property and installation access. It allows the 4th Security Forces Squadron gate guards to verify the identity of personnel entering the base by scanning the barcode located on the back of a CAC or other approved government ID card.

At first, this system was not fast and caused daily back-ups at the gates, but with relocations of the wireless systems and registration of base personnel into it, wait time at the gates has significantly decreased.

"It has improved dramatically since the initial implementation in November," said Tech. Sgt. Scott Hellinger, 4th SFS pass and registration NCO in charge. "Since then, we have relocated the antennas to achieve a better wireless connection to the handheld scanners, creating a quicker time to access personal authorization from DEERS."

DBIDS ensures people who no longer have access to the base are stopped at the installations common access points.

According to Hellinger, since DBIDS was updated with barments, revocations and suspensions, six unauthorized people were prevented from accessing the base.
DBIDS receives continuous updates and undergoes additional changes to better meet the needs of the base's defenders.

"There will be an upgrade to the system shortly that will allow reports to be handled at the squadron level," Hellinger said. "This will allow certain information to be at our fingertips without having to contact Air Combat Command."

Information that will be available with the upgraded system will include: base access control, audit control, card issuance and expiration reports, credential issuance report by operator, law enforcement status report, operator reports, person audit report, personal scan history, registration trend report, visitor pass issuance, expiration report and many more.

"We ask that all personnel be patient with the new DBIDS system while entering the installation," Hellinger said. "With it being a new system at Seymour Johnson, there are bound to be some new situations that arise along the way."

For more information or questions regarding the DBIDS system, contact the 4th SFS at 919-722-0525 or the military personnel section customer service at 919-722-8677.