Base to stop issuing windshield decals, register POVs Published Feb. 15, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Wesley Wright Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- In accordance with Headquarters Air Force and Air Combat Command guidance, Minot Air Force Base will discontinue privately owned vehicle registration and issuance of the Department of Defense Vehicle Registration Decal (DD Form 2220) effective Feb. 19. "Since Sept. 11, the decals have essentially become a passive layer of security," said Paul Sullivan, 5th Security Forces Squadron chief of plans and programs. "Just having a decal on your vehicle does nothing to positively tell us the person driving the vehicle is authorized to be on this installation." Under the changes, to operate vehicles on base, vehicle operators will present a valid driver's license, current state vehicle registration card and proof of vehicle insurance immediately upon request of security forces. In addition, motorcycle riders are required to have the motorcycle safety card in their possession while riding on base. Vehicle operators without the proper documentation will be denied entry and can be cited and/or face suspension of their driving privileges. Historically, decals were used as the sole means of vehicle clearance to Air Force installations. However, since Sept. 11, the Air Force has strictly adhered to 100 percent I.D. checks, making the vehicle decal unnecessary. Additionally, vehicle owners are more efficiently tracked through state license plates, not military decal numbers, according to Mr. Sullivan. With 1.66 million Air Force-registered vehicles, elimination of on-base POV registration will result in cost savings. In 2005, the Air Force spent $727,000 simply to print decals. "The bang for the buck we were getting from decals in the old days just isn't there anymore," said Lt. Col. John Worley, 5th SFS commander. "This change will free up personnel and allow us to enhance security in other ways." In the interim, people should leave valid decals on their vehicles until they expire since each installation is on its own timeline for implementing the changes. "Many other installations are still in the transition stage and still require the decal," he said, "so leaving them on will help eliminate inconvenience when traveling to other bases." Visitor access onto the installation has not changed. Visitors will still require a base pass from either the base visitors center or the pass and identification office for entry on base. Nor do the changes affect installation driving conditions like evidential tests and POV removal/impoundment. As a condition to accepting installation driving privileges, drivers give consent to evidential tests for alcohol or other drug content of their blood, breath, and/or urine. This consent applies when lawfully detained, apprehended or cited for any impaired driving offense committed while driving or in physical control of a motor vehicle on an Air Force installation. Also, as a condition to accepting installation driving privileges, drivers give their consent for the removal and temporary impoundment of their POV for the following reasons: -- Illegally parked for unreasonable periods -- Interferes with traffic operations -- Creates safety hazard -- Disabled by accident or incident -- Left unattended in, or adjacent to, a restricted, controlled or off-limits area -- Abandoned Note: Drivers also agree to reimburse an authorized agency or contractor for the cost of towing, storage and disposal should a need arise to remove or impound their motor vehicle because of a situation described above. As of March 15, the Air Force will stop requiring bases to issue decals. So far, Hill AFB, Utah, stopped the practice in June 2006 and Robins AFB, Ga., ceased Feb. 5. For more information on operating vehicles on Minot AFB, call the 5th SFS plans and programs office at 723-6915.