U.S. Air Force Academy cadets form ranks and prepare to march towards Mitchell Hall during noon meal formation, April 30, 2024, at the Academy’s Terrazzo in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Ray Bahner/U.S Air Force)
(Tribune News Service) — The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., has increased security measures regarding visitor access rules.
The tighter academy security recommendations were announced the same day the U.S. Northern Command sent out a press release calling for increased security protocols at all U.S. military installations in the continental United States due to “world events.”
The announcement calls for “Increased Force Protection Condition” measures to be taken by installation leadership as they see fit. Norcom’s statement included that the DOD was not currently aware of specific threats to installations.
As of June 14, non-military ID holders will now only be allowed to enter through the academy’s South Gate, located off of Interstate 25’s Exit 150. Visitors must be sponsored by an ID-holder, the academy’s athletic department, admissions department or other sponsoring organization to be granted access, according to a news release from the academy.
All Department of Defense ID cardholders are encouraged to use the North Gate.
Employees and visitors to the academy are warned to expect longer wait times at the gates and increased security measures like being subject to random searches if attempting to enter or on academy grounds.
The section of the Santa Fe Trail that crosses academy land is closed to all personnel. The 10th Medical Group, academy exchange and commissary remain open to all beneficiaries.
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