LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 633rd Security Forces Squadron conducted a 100 percent vehicle inspection and military urinalysis test on all oncoming commuters here, July 23 and 24.
The event, titled “Operation Nighthawk,” used the Shellbank Fitness Center to inspect more than 200 vehicles and 300 individuals entering Langley Air Force Base between the hours of 11 p.m. and 3 a.m.
According to Jennifer Hall, 633rd SFS investigator, the inspections aimed to stop unauthorized or illegal contraband from entering the base.
“We want to know what is coming onto our installation and make sure no one is bringing anything illegal on base,” she said. “The operation allowed us to make sure our installation remains safe and allowed our Airmen to provide the message that we will always keep this base safe.”
The operation was part of ongoing proactive force protection measures, including increasing random vehicle inspections over the past few months. According to Capt. Antwan Floyd, 633rd SFS operations officer, these inspections provide a clear message to those entering Langley.
“We want to set the tone and let our community know about our zero tolerance policy for drugs and [illegal] weapons coming on base,” he said. “We have random inspections all the time. While some people may be lucky enough to miss our random inspections, at one point or another, if you are bringing illegal drugs or weapons onto base or drinking and driving, we’re going to get you.”
The operation began more than a month before and throughout the planning and execution process, 633rd SFS partnered with various personnel from units across the installation, including 633rd Air Base Wing legal, drug demand reduction and safety offices, Office of Special Investigations and the First Sergeants council to ensure the operation was a success.
“For the entire process, it was all hands on deck,” said Floyd. “All the agencies wanted to make sure the base stays as safe as possible and this is one of the best avenues to make sure we accomplished that goal.”
According to Hall, while the operation took great effort to ensure all oncoming commuters adhered to base policy and laws, it provided a much deeper impact.
“Inspections can seem like an inconvenience, but when you look at the bigger picture, it’s an important process,” she said. “We have a ton of resources here and personnel and their families live here. We want our Airmen and their families to feel safe knowing we are doing our best to protect them and make sure no harm comes to them."