Getting on Base

Important! Request Base Access

Accessing the Academy

MUST BE A U.S. CITIZEN WITH REAL ID

Visitors who have purchased tickets to a sporting event, have a scheduled Admissions tour/brief, wish to visit the Goldwater Visitor Center, cemetery, or made a reservation for a Planetarium show can request installation access by emailing the sponsoring organization. The sponsoring organization will send you a QR code that you can use to pre-register for installation access. Once your request is received, Security Forces will conduct a background check, and you will receive a decision via text. If approved, you will receive a virtual pass and may proceed to either the North or the South Gate on the day of your approved visit date and present a Real ID for base access. NOTE: Base access passes are issued for one event at a time. Please register for passes in succession and only after the current event has concluded. Registering for multiple passes at a time will cause a cancelation of previous registrations.

From Interstate-25 take Exit 156 (North Gate) or Exit 150 (South Gate). This entrance is open to sponsored visitors from 5:30 am to 10 pm every day.

When entering the gate, have all vehicle occupants’ 18 years and older identification ready for presentation. Valid forms of photo identification are a current REAL ID compliant credential. Expired IDs will not be accepted. Personnel driving vehicles under the age of 18 must provide a valid REAL ID compliant Drivers license. While on the installation, all personnel are subject to search.

DOD Id card sponsored visitors: (CAC, DOD Dependent ID, Retired Military ID, select DBIDS cards, select VHICs)

Visitors must be sponsored by an organization or individual with a DoD ID card. Sponsors and sponsored visitors should plan for increased security measures and longer wait times at the gates. While on the installation, all personnel are subject to search.

The PRO is situated outside the South Gate, accessible via I-25, Exit 150, on the right side of the road. Its operating hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The PRO will be closed for training purposes on the third Tuesday of each month.

Trusted traveler is in effect, with a valid DoD ID card, you can sponsor 10 personnel (must have REAL ID’s) and they must be in the same vehicle. Foreign National visitors must still process through the Pass and Registration Office (PRO). While on the installation, all personnel are subject to search.

Foreign National visitor(s) not on official business requesting access to the Academy MUST be sponsored on by either an organization or individual with a DoD ID card and are required to follow the guidance listed below:

Individuals who are not citizens of the United States and hold a foreign passport must report to the Pass and Registration Office (PRO) upon their arrival at the Academy in order to secure a pass for entry onto the premises.

The PRO is situated outside the South Gate, accessible via I-25, Exit 150, on the right side of the road. Its operating hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The PRO will be closed for training purposes on the third Tuesday of each month. Visitors are required to present their passport, as copies or photographs will not be accepted for processing; please be aware that this process may take up to 72 hours. After your information has been processed, you will be issued a pass, which must be shown to the sentry at the installation gate for entry.

If you know your guest’s passport information, you can provide the information to the PRO in advance to start the clearance process by emailing requests to 10SFS.S5B@us.af.mil. The guest, with a physical passport, must still arrive at the PRO in-person to receive the visitor’s pass.

For any questions, contact the PRO at (719) 333-0441 or 10SFS.S5B@us.af.mil.

You may be asked to share additional information such as proof of insurance and vehicle registration. If applicable, have your car rental agreement handy. All vehicles are subject to inspection by security personnel, so we may ask you to pop your trunk. While on the installation, all personnel are subject to search.

Safety Tips

• Obey all signs and speed limits, and wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Watch for wildlife such as deer, elk, and wild turkey.
• Be mindful of cyclists, joggers, pedestrians and cadet training activities.
• Radar detectors are prohibited.
• Handheld cell phone usage is prohibited. Drivers may use a cell phone only with a hands-free device or if the vehicle is parked.

Motorcyclists

• Motorcyclists are required to wear a Department of Transportation approved helmet, goggles or face shield, protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirt/jacket, pants, and full-fingered gloves, as well as over the ankle footwear.
• Reflective vests are not required but highly encouraged.

Bicyclists

All cyclists on the Academy must have in their position the following: DOD ID, QR sponsored virtual pass, or a DIBIDS pass issued by the PRO.

• Bicyclists must wear helmets and reflective outerwear.
• Group riders must stay in single file with traffic on base roads.
• All bicyclists must be off base roads four hours prior to events at Falcon Stadium due to heavy traffic.

Concealed Carry

Concealed carry is limited to Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act credentialed personnel, credentialed civilian law enforcement personnel in the performance of official duties, and credentialed agents assigned to Defense Criminal Investigative Organizations, Federal employees, retirees and/or dependents that are 21 years or older and have a Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit, or a permit with any of the Colorado reciprocity states, may conceal carry their privately owned firearm in their privately owned vehicle while transiting the Academy, but may not remove the firearm from their vehicle. When stored in a vehicle, there must be a two lock system in place. The vehicle itself must remained locked and the firearm must also be locked in a compartment, trigger lock, etc. Open carry of firearms is not authorized on the Academy.

For additional help accessing the base, contact Security Forces at 719-333-0443.

Access for Sporting Events held on the North end of the installation

• The Event Cordon will be activated 2 hours prior to large events (>1,500) and deactivated no earlier than 1 hour after the event.
• Event attendees may enter through the North Gate during Event Cordon hours with a REAL ID compliant identification. Foreign Nationals cannot enter the base without being vetted by the Pass & Registration Office prior to the event during open hours.
• Internal base gates will be manned along Stadium Blvd & Academy Dr.
  • Only personnel with government-issued IDs will be allowed through these checkpoints (CAC, DBIDs, Base Passes, etc.).
  • QR Code enabled driver’s licenses will ONLY be allowed through North or South Gate unless operating as a co-traveler under the trust traveler program.

If a QR code is provided for your event it is recommended that you follow the steps to obtain a virtual pass. There may be times when the installation could close down for security reasons therefore closing the event cordon and requiring a pass. While on the installation, all personnel are subject to search.

Base Access Q&A

What about Contractors that work on base? I have a CAC card and a Veteran ID being 100% which gate should I use?

All DoD ID card holders may use both the North and South gates to enter the installation.

As military retirees with DoD military ID’s, are we still allowed to sponsor up to 10 people on base right now or do we need to take visitors to the visitors center and get them a day pass? Does everyone in the car need a military ID or just the driver? Just wanting to make sure I understand. Thanks!

You can still sponsor people on base with a military retiree ID. The Trusted Traveler program is still in effect. If there is not a DoD ID card holder in the car, you will need to get the people a pass.

I do not have a DoD ID card. What is the process to visit my loved one at the Academy Cemetery?

Contact Mortuary Affairs for a base pass.

It would be helpful to add guidance for Air Academy High School students and parents. Students have student ID’s but not DBIDs cards. Parents mostly have DBIDs cards, but if not they are using the QR Code protocol. Do DBIDs card holders & student ID holders follow the DoD ID card protocols?

D20 with passes and student cards are still allowed, but will also have to go through the visitor lane at the South Gate. D20 events use the QR code for students and fans over the age of 18 who don’t have a DBIDS (D20 DBIDS card holders do not have the ability to sponsor onto the installation) card or student ID. All D20 staff, students and parents need to enter through the South Gate.

Is the QR code available at the South Gate?

Visitors must register for an installation access pass through the QR code provided by the Athletic Department, Admissions, or other sponsoring organization. If you are attending an event on base, you will receive a QR code from the sponsoring organization. If not, visitors must have a DoD-ID card holder sponsor to get a pass.