TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Truck Gate at Tinker Air Force Base is taking additional precautions when screening vehicles in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officer Jason Allen, the non-commissioned officer in charge of Vehicle Search, said the process for allowing these large vehicles, which are often transporting aircraft parts, commissary items and other mission essential items, on base is more extensive than the other gates.
“If they aren’t pre-vetted, we have to do full background checks to make sure they have all required credentials and meet the base commander’s requirements,” Allen said.
With the rise of COVID-19 and in an attempt to minimize exposure to keep the base population healthy, there are additional steps to the screening process for these vehicles to get on the installation.
“We pre-screen everyone who comes on the base with a COVID-19 screening form that breaks down symptoms,” Allen said. “We do temperature checks for every driver that comes on. If they exhibit symptoms we notify [the personnel] where they’re headed on base, inform them and see if they can pick up the load before they get on the installation to divert it all together. If they aren’t willing to do that, they’ll be denied access. We run everything through the operations department first.”
The Airmen working the gate are taking extra personal precautions as well, including the use of masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and constantly sanitizing work areas. Allen has also modified work schedules in the event that anyone in the unit does begin exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.
“As far as volume for the gate, it has decreased since all this happened, but it’s not to a standstill, we stay busy,” Allen said. “I modified my employees’ schedules out here so they’re not working constantly and it’s broken up. If someone is infected, I can quarantine an entire shift and have a different shift fall in place to maintain operations.”
Allen said the situation is constantly changing and they’re staying aware and flexible.
“Everything changes on a daily basis and the more Tinker is impacted, draws more of a change in operation. We have things down the line we're looking at changing,” Allen said. “As of right now, we're working with what we have, screening individuals and making sure my guys are wearing their proper PPE.”
The Truck Gate is open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.