ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
The new and long-awaited base Visitor Control Center, located at the Main Gate, is scheduled to open Monday and operate at full capacity Wednesday.
"On Monday and Tuesday, the VCC services will be limited to short-term access requests and vehicle registration while computer equipment and connections are transferred to the new facility," said Master Sgt. (ret.) Steve Hubbard, 316th Security Forces Squadron Plans and Programs flight chief. "The entire VCC team has been hard at work getting the new center up to speed and ready to serve customers throughout the base and national capital region."
The new center features a larger lobby which can accommodate more people and is three to four times the space of the old facility.
"A wide variety of individuals utilize the VCC on a daily basis," said Senior Master Sgt. Branford Edmonds, 316 SFS Plans and Programs superintendent. "The VCC provides a wide array of services from restricted area badges, guest and hardship passes, contractor IDs and other access related services. The visitor center also conducts background checks on individuals coming onto the base, which is a service many base residents are not aware that we perform."
Sergeant Edmonds said base visitors initially will be directed to the new VCC by electronic marquees located at the base entrance and permanent signage will eventually be in place to direct visitors where to go. The process for personnel driving large commercial vehicles who wish to utilize the VCC will remain "as is." Large vehicle parking is still located off the installation on Allentown Road.
Andrews newest center is located at 1832 Westover Dr., near the Main Gate, and is open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For questions concerning the VCC, please call 301-981-2562.