Search pit

Louis Bechel, Southeastern Protective Services security officer, uses a mirror to search the back of a truck for suspicious looking objects before granting it entry into Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., March 9, 2010. Southeastern Protective Services assist 4th Security Forces Squadron with protecting base assets and personnel. Bechel is from Pikeville, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Whitney Lambert)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Search pit

Brian Petticoffer and Louis Bechel, Southeastern Protective Services security officers, check under the hood of a van in the vehicle search area on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., March 9, 2010. Security officers inspect commercial vehicles entering the base for illegal weapons, drugs, alcohol and explosives, ensuring the safety of those on base. Petticoffer hails from Goldsboro, N.C. and Bechel is from Pikeville, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Whitney Lambert)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Search pit

Louis Bechel, Southeastern Protective Services security officer, checks a truck's engine for suspicious objects on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., March 9, 2010. Bechel searches for anything abnormal or suspects such as drugs, alcohol, illegal weapons and explosives. Bechel is from Pikeville, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Whitney Lambert)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Search pit

Brian Petticoffer, Southeastern Protective Services security officer, uses a mirror for illegal weapons, drugs, alcohol and explosive on the underside of commercial trucks before the driver can enter Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., March 9, 2010. To clear the vehicle for entry, security officers must visually check the vehicle thoroughly including under the vehicle, engine, trunk, sun visor, glove box and cargo area. Petticoffer hails from Goldsboro, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Whitney Lambert)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Search pit

Prior to entering Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., all commercial trucks and vans must be inspected. Officers from Southeastern Protective Services inspect between 150-200 vehicles a day. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Whitney Lambert)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Search Pit

Published March 16, 2010
By Senior Airman Whitney Lambert
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Southeastern Protective Services security officers assist 4th Security Forces Squadron with maintaining the safety of personnel and assets on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Between the day shift personnel, all will rotate through the vehicle search area once a week. During an inspection, officers search for anything that appears abnormal or suspect suspects such as drugs, alcohol, illegal weapons and explosives. The officers inspect between 150 and 200 vehicle a day. Commercial truck drivers must provide security officers with proper documents including state or federal identification, vehicle registration and insurance with policy dates to enter the base.

Search pit

Search pit

Search pit

Search pit

Search pit