Holloman receives advanced vehicle

  • Published
  • By Mr. Arlan Ponder
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Leadership here officially accepted two advanced screening systems which will assist base personnel with a quicker and more efficient inspection of vehicles entering Holloman. 

"The vehicles will allow us to detect threats in a timely fashion that otherwise would have taken a significant amount of time," Col. Jeff Harrigian, 49th Fighter Wing commander, said. "This will allow our Airmen and civilian contractors to save time along with providing Holloman with the best anti-terrorism detection capabilities." 

The systems, which will be used to detect hidden contraband, explosives, weapons, drugs and other items, take approximately 45 seconds to run a full-size semi-tractor trailer through and can be set up at a permanent location or used as a mobile portal.
 
"We will never completely eliminate the need for manual inspections, but with these systems we help the process," said John Kuntz, defense sales manager, Rapiscan Systems. 

Known as the Rapiscan GaRDS™ (Gamma Ray Detection System), the trucks are a cost effective and maintenance free system with little moving or working parts, according to Mr. Kuntz. The self-contained systems also provides a smaller operational area and exclusion safety zone with a low radiation field. 

The technology used in these systems has been around for over 15 years in the form of baggage or people scanners, however, it wasn't until after 9-11 that the technology was expanded into the inspection of cargo. 

"Today this is accepted technology in the cargo screening field," Mr. Kuntz said. "It can be used day or night and is fully weatherproof. We are used in working ports so they can be used in salt-air environments as well." 

According to Lance Crosthwait, 49th Fighter Wing anti-terror officer, these are two of three trucks Holloman will receive. 

The vehicles were paid for by the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) and will be maintained by a contract with International Corp of Las Cruces for two years. Each truck cost over $1 million and will provide increased protection for Holloman's assets well into the future. 

Mr. Crosthwait said training on the systems will be conducted in the future with 49th Security Forces Squadron personnel, along with deputies from Otero County Sheriff's Department, attending. 

Holloman is the first Air Combat Command base to receive these systems. The base was chosen because of the outstanding work done by the 49th Fighter Wing Anti-Terror Office and the detailed plan for providing training to those operating the sytems, Colonel Harrigian said. 

"(ACC) understood we had a plan to deter and protect the base," he said. "I think it is imperative to have an effective deterrent with the addition of the F-22 and some of the growth we're seeing. We now have that capability."