"Yuma airport to limit private vehicle access"

["Stephen Irwin, M.S., A.A.E., I.A.P." <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Airport to limit private vehicle access
BY JOYCE LOBECK
THE YUMA (AZ) SUN


 In response to heightened national security concerns, privately owned
vehicles no longer will have access to the airport's flight line that local
civilian pilots have enjoyed in the past.

The restriction, adopted recently by the Yuma County Airport Authority, came
at the request of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.

POV access to the civilian side of Yuma International Airport has been out
of compliance with the Department of Defense security policies for some
time, explained Lt. Col. Mark Workman, military liaison to the Airport
Authority.

Until now, the MCAS commanding officer has been willing to accept that
difference. But due to the planned arrival of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
next year, the required level of security is going to increase
significantly. And it means the gap between existing and required levels of
security no longer will be acceptable, the Airport Authority was told.

Workman emphasized that the concern isn't with the general aviation
community but on a broad array of security threats to national strategic
resources that can come in many forms. Examples might be organized criminal
elements, terrorists, paramilitary forces or foreign intelligence agents.

DoD policy clearly states that no POVs are to be allowed past the security
fences that separate a military installation from the flight line where
combat aircraft are based. Military flight line areas are always accorded
the second highest level of military security. And with the newest aircraft,
the F-35, costing over $100 million each, that security becomes even more
critical.

Local pilots feel they provide an additional level of security because they
are the eyes and ears of the airport's own security preparedness, said Craig
Williams, airport manager. However, in the last 18 months, two incidents
occurred at the airport: one a case of human smuggling, the other a drug
running operation that was run out of a T-hangar.

Both incidents went on for an extended time until law enforcement agencies
discovered and shut them down, Williams said. In neither case did GA pilots
know of the organized criminal activity.

The decision by the airport authority to limit POV access to the flight line
came after considerable discussion over several months.

"The issue was not taken lightly," said Rob Ingold, a board member.

"In recognition that things will change and the expectation there will be
future escalations in security," Albert Gardner made the motion to accept
the new restrictions. It passed with one no vote.

Every effort will be made to meet the needs of the general aviation
community while honoring MCAS' request, Williams said.

He proposed building a new road to the T-hangars and secured parking with an
electronically controlled drive-through gate. This solution would still
allow local T-Hangar tenants unrestricted access to their rented hangars,
but through new entrances that can be secured during periods of increased
security threat conditions, Williams said.

In addition, flight line policies would be formalized by identifying taxi
lanes and other places POVs will not be allowed.

"Overall, the change to the flight line policy that is in effect today would
be minimal," Williams said. "But it would document, enforce and provide the
military with the assurances they need that the civilian side of the airport
has addressed DoD security concerns."

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