New visitor control bolsters base’s force protection Published Feb. 17, 2004 By Capt. Mo Schumann 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- The task for terrorists intent on attacking coalition forces here just got a lot more difficult Feb. 12 with the opening of the new visitor control center.The $1.3 million effort was the culmination of months of planning and construction.“In every aspect {including} the physical layout, the facilities, the processes we can incorporate, I’d say it’s at least 100 percent better; it’s twice the operation it was before,” said Maj. John Moes, 407th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron commander deployed here from Scott Air Force Base, Ill.One look at the new VCC and it is easy to notice the advantages. Giant concrete barriers, metal detectors and working dogs are all weapons in the new arsenal.The center was moved farther away from the base’s main gate and the search area expanded so security forces can process more people and traffic, said the major.“Probably the No. 1 thing the facility offers is the consolidation of both the badging process and the search process into the same location,” he said commenting on the increased efficiency and force protection the center will offer.“The old visitor control center was put up quickly in reaction to a ‘we-need-something-now,’ mentality,” said Capt. Jason Loschinskey, 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron operations flight commander deployed here from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. “So, the idea of a new VCC has been on the priority list.”In December, a team of Army, Air Force and coalition partners hit the drawing board to discuss ideas and come up with a plan based on everyone’s mode of operations.“We sat down with the cops and started talking about how their processes worked and designed around what those needs were,” said the captain.The joint team, with members from the 407th ECES and the Army’s 724th Army Engineering Battalion, battled rain and mud to complete the project in just less than six weeks.Col. Mike Larsen, commander of the Army’s 171st Area Support Group, praised the troops’ efforts.“I know VCC obviously stands for visitor control center,” he said. “But I like to think the V stands for vision, because you guys had the vision to make something out of nothing, to make life better here for soldiers and airmen and for all of us in terms of protecting our lives and our operations.”Air Force leaders agree.“This was truly a joint effort by 110 airmen and soldiers who demonstrated dedication and tenacity by building an impressive control center in just six weeks,” said Col. Kevin Williams, 407th Air Expeditionary Group commander. “They put in long hours and a lot of sweat in tough conditions, and the result is better security for Tallil Air Base.”