JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The Commander's Action Line is your direct link to me as the commander of Joint Base Charleston. I would ask that you first, give the appropriate base agency a chance to solve the problem, but if you don't get a satisfactory answer, call me at 963-5581, or send an e-mail to 437aw.action@charleston.af.mil.
This forum is your opportunity to make Joint Base Charleston a better place to live, work and play. This is also your venue to tell me how our Airmen, Sailors, Air Force and Navy Civilians and Contractors are supporting you as a customer.
To ensure you receive a response to your concerns, please leave your name and the information needed to contact you.
Comment: I was calling about why has there been a high number of base gate closures. I have noticed in the past three weeks, that there has been many gate closures and they seem to happen during the peak traffic times. What would happen if someone had an emergency and could not get on or especially off the base. I have also noticed that the gate guards have been looking sloppy and do not give a sharp salute that they are required to give. Everybody knows that security forces are the glue that holds this place together. Please look into this thank you.
Response: Thank you for taking the time to voice your concerns over a perceived increase in base gate closures. I too have felt the frustration of waiting in traffic to exit the installation, but these are necessary to ensure the safety and security of our installation and resources.
The primary cause of gate closures stems from the activation of alarms within our installation's critical facilities and storage areas. When unannounced alarms are received many things must take place in a short amount of time. Part of the response includes stopping traffic to verify that Air Force resources will not be removed from the installation.
We are in the process enhancing the reliability of the existing Alarm System to reduce these alarms. In addition, we are continuing to train occupants of all the alarmed facilities to reduce the occurrence of "human error" alarms that tend to occur when personnel show for work or head home of the day.
With regards to your concern over the professionalism of our Installation Entry Controllers, I and the Security Forces leadership expect nothing, but the highest standard of professionalism from our installation's Defenders. I believe you have encountered the exception rather than the norm. Daily, we receive comments from military members, retirees and civilians who take the time to send complementary notes regarding their experience with Security Forces Airmen.
If you ever encounter one of our Defenders on the gates who does not uphold the highest-level of Air Force customs and courtesies, I would encourage you to contact Security Forces leadership at 963-3641 with the date, time, location and if possible, the Airman's name. The concern will be investigated and addressed.