Bases in U.K. do away with vehicle-pass requirement

[unhappycamper]

Bases in U.K. do away with vehicle-pass requirement
By Charlie Reed, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Sunday, June 8, 2008

Motorists entering bases in England no longer have to present a separate pass for their cars.

The move came after 3rd Air Force in the United Kingdom successfully petitioned U.S. Air Forces in Europe to use a guideline similar to one adopted in the States in October 2007 that allows vehicles not registered with the military to enter bases without a decal as long the driver is an ID cardholder.

The change — which began last week — only affects U.K. installations, which had been the only USAFE bases that required incoming motorists to show both military IDs and vehicle passes, said Master Sgt. Corey Clements, spokesman for U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

Air Force personnel and their dependents still must register their vehicles at the U.K. bases where they are assigned for tag and tax purposes. But drivers can now access bases in unregistered vehicles — such as borrowed or rented cars — mirroring procedures at the other USAFE locations.

"We’ve already received good feedback from people out there who have one less card to carry around," said Maj. John Haynes, 3rd Air Force spokesman. "It seems to increase convenience without compromising security."


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=55400

[peace13]

1. Wow! We all know how inconvenient it is to carry an extra card!

With terrorists all around you would think that inspections would be more stringent not less. Bet the folks who get felt up at the airport are happy to hear this news.