Visitor Center Helps Streamline Front Gate Traffic Published Feb. 26, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Roberto Modelo 911 AW/PA PITTSBURGH IAP ARS -- Entry control points facilitate the flow of traffic allowing approved personnel into an area in a secure and controlled fashion. The 911th Airlift Wing has seen many changes to its most visible control point, the base front gate entrance. The most recent change was with the completion of the Visitor Control Center earlier this year. After five months of construction, the center was completed February 1, 2009, just in time for the February Unit Training Assembly. The center helps the flow of traffic into and out of the base. Before the center was completed, all visitor matters had to be handled at the front gate. "The process was to sign visitors in at the main gate which caused congestion at the gate," said 1st Lt. Randall Gernhardt, 911th Security Force Squadron Operating Officer for the base. Visitors who need an escort onto the base will notice the Visitors Center on the right before the main gate entrance. The hours are from 7:30a.m to 4:30p.m., Monday through Friday and 7a.m. to 3 p.m for Primary UTAs. If the center is closed, visitors will still need to park in the center's parking lot. They then can proceed to walk from their car to the front gate for processing before entering the base. Visitors and their escorts will need to have the proper documentation in hand when they arrive. "A military or government ID card is needed to escort personnel onto the base," said 1st Lt. Gernhardt. "If a visitor is driving onto the installation, they will need a driver's license, proof of insurance and registration," he added. Other services offered by the center include getting your common access card (identification card), line badges and vehicle registration.