139th News

139th Airlift Wing Visitor Center

A sign guides base visitor’s to the 139th Airlift Wing Visitor Center just outside Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, Mo., Jan. 3, 2014. Visitor center Airmen issue visitor’s passes to non-base personnel after a background check. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Theo Ramsey/released)

139th Airlift Wing Visitor Center

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matt Martindell, assigned to the 139th Security Forces Squadron, Missouri Air National Guard, sits at the front desk at the 139th Airlift Wing’s new visitor center at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, Mo., Jan. 3, 2014. The Visitor Center issue visitor’s passes to non-base personnel after a background check. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Theo Ramsey/Released)

139th Airlift Wing Visitor Center Open For Business

Published Jan. 4, 2014
By Tech. Sgt. Theo Ramsey
139 AW/PA

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The 139th Airlift Wing Visitor Center opened for business just outside Rosecrans Air National Guard Base Nov. 27, 2013. Visitors to the base can now gain unescorted access after 139th Security Forces Airmen conduct a background check from the new facility.

"I think it is vital for the base," said Senior Master Sgt. Kirk Arthur, 139th Security Forces, "[background checks are] done off-base, so we don't have to bring them on base and jeopardize the personnel on base while that process is going on."

All base visitors will need to bring a government issued photo ID, which will kickstart the background check. Once a favorable background check is complete, visitors will be issued an Air Force Form 75 to allow unescorted access to the installation.

Arthur commented that the project was completed mostly by traditional Air National Guard personnel working one weekend per month as well as some contracted workers.

"Most of the work was done in-house by our [Civil Engineering] personnel," said Arthur, "The Advanced Air Tactical Training Center school bought the furniture and the TV to make it operational."