CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Defense Biometric Identification System is a Department of Defense wide system intended to ensure valid identification card holders are granted entry into any authorized military installation, while protecting the installation and its members from those who may try to gain unauthorized access.
The system is in the fielding phase, with Charleston AFB as one of the bases at the tip of sword. Registering here will assist in protecting this installation.
With less than two months before implementation, only about 40 percent of the supported population in Charleston and surrounding communities have registered.
Based on a large in deployment requirement and the anticipated workload required to meet the Oct. 3 DBIDS ID card registration implementation, the 437th Security Forces Squadron is undertaking the following actions to support the fielding of this system:
1) Procuring an additional, mobile DBIDS registration system within the next 120 days
2) Setting an Initial Operational Capability date for DBIDS of Nov. 1
3) Working toward Full Operational Capability date of DBIDS March 1
What does this mean for Charleston AFB and the surrounding community?
Until the IOC date of Nov. 1, DBIDS ID card registration will continue at the Dorchester Gate Visitor Control Center from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Whenever members have the opportunity they must take the time to register their card. The DBIDs controllers will monitor the wait time to ensure lines do not get too long.
The DBIDS process is simple: The individual must bring in their DOD card, have the card updated in DBIDS, take a photo and have their fingerprints scanned. The holder of the DOD card must bring in their own card and cannot bring their spouse's card, friend's card or child's card. The process can take anywhere from two to eight minutes per card.
During the IOC phase of Nov. 1 through March 1, unregistered ID cards will be more aggressively monitored at installation entry points. Security forces members will be checking the cards more frequently to ensure members are registered in the system. During this phase, persons not registered will be encouraged to proceed to the Dorchester Gate VCC to register their ID card in the DBIDS system.
Security forces will also be setting up numerous unit registration events to enter the maximum amount of personnel that can be put into the system and reduce the wait times at the VCC.
The FOC phase begins March 1. After this date, persons with non-registered ID cards will be directed to proceed to the Dorchester Gate VCC to register into the system. Once registered, they will be allowed access to the installations. Security forces will increase their capacity at the Dorchester Gate in an effort to reduce waiting times, but still anticipate long lines around the FOC date.
With these adjustments, Charleston AFB hopes to smooth the transition to DBIDS. Once fully instituted, DBIDS will give the base an added layer of force protection. The support and patience of the base community in this fielding is greatly appreciated.
Contact Bob Trout at 963-3623 or George Kennedy at 963-7807 with questions or concerns.