ANDREWS AFB, Md, –
The 316th Security Forces Squadron is reintegrating an old tool to secure the installation. The M2500 or Mobilisa is a handheld scanner used to scan identification cards and driver's licenses.
The M2500 is part of the Defense ID Scanning system by Mobilisa Inc. This ID verification system, Mobilisa, is a powerful security enhancement tool used for automating the screening procedures to identify unauthorized persons entering military installations and other secure locations.
"The Mobilisa is a valuable tool in Force Protection and produces exceptional results," said 1st Lt Jonathan Blount, 316 SFS Assistant Operations Officer.
From the inception of Mobilisa in January 2007, the scanners have been utilized to scan 1,683,000 credentials of people entering the installation. Mobilisa has identified close to 3,000 individuals who have either been barred from the installation, driving with a suspended driver's license or have an open warrant out for apprehension. The remainder of the discrepancies stemmed from expired, lost or stolen identification cards.
The system is capable of checking for fake, lost, stolen and terminated military ID cards, expired IDs, terror suspects, criminal suspects, installation barment rosters and more.
The device works by scanning the one- or two-dimensional barcodes or magnetic strips found on all state and federally issued ID cards. In addition to the bar code and magnetic strip scan, it is capable of loading a manual search using various ID inputs. Once the ID is scanned, the device automatically checks the information against multiple databases for any matches. If a match is found, the operator will be alerted to act as needed dependent upon the return information.
The Mobilisa system was temporarily removed for software and communication requirements. "We fought hard to get Mobilisa back up and running," said Lieutenant Blount. "With Mobilisa, we have added another layer of defense to the installation."