Pink cards no longer required to access base

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  People entering any U.S. installation in the United Kingdom no longer need a vehicle "pink card" to access the base. 

This also means that visitors signed onto base will no longer need a temporary vehicle pass, though they will still need a temporary visitor pass ID, and their vehicle to be searched as usual. 

Other bases within U.S. Air Forces in Europe do not require their individuals to have a registration card for their vehicle and as a result Third Air Force decided bases in the United Kingdom would follow suit and stopped using the (USAFE IMT 4) pink card for vehicles accessing the base, according to Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Prendergast, 100th Security Forces Squadron, Pass and Registration NCOIC. 

"In the states, the (Department of Defense Form 2220) window sticker has been done away with, so Third Air Force has rescinded the pink card as well," said Sergeant Prendergast. 

Access to bases will now be based solely on an authorized identification credential, which means pink cards no longer need to be shown or displayed in vehicles while they are on base. However, only personnel who are entitled to tax-free fuel and stationed here or working on base are still required to register their vehicles as usual. 

In addition, as part of an AFSO 21 initiative, the driving permit (USAFE Form 374) and Certificate of Eligibility - Motor Fuel "blue card" (16AF IMT 435) are combining into a new driving/fuel permit (3AF Form 435). The new card will identify those entitled to buy tax-free fuel at AAFES gas stations, as well as the vehicles authorized to be filled with tax-free gas. 

"We'll start issuing the 3AF 435 to newcomers starting June 9," Sergeant Prendergast said. "Then from June 19, the cards will start being issued to squadrons; squadron commanders and first sergeants will be notified when their squadron is due." 

Each squadron is assigned to specific dates, which will fall either on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday with the exception of federal holidays and goal days. The cards will be issued to personnel alphabetically. Smaller squadrons will be grouped in with larger squadrons to save time. 

Cards will be issued between 8 a.m. and noon, and pass and registration will only deal with squadron DFP issuing during this time. Normal business will be resumed at noon for other customers. While no appointment is required, Sergeant Prendergast advises people to get there as early as possible, to ensure they are seen, because at 11:30 a.m. staff will need to start preparing to get back to regular business. 

Those who don't currently have a USAFE driving permit and are entitled to tax-free fuel, such as British spouses, or Americans having a full British driving license, can still receive the new DFP. To get one, they must attend the Drivers Safety course held Thursdays at 8 a.m. at the base theater, which takes about 30 minutes. 

While they don't have to take the test, they will need to bring their British license and fill out a USAFE IMT 3 (Driver's License/Vehicle Registration Application) form. The new card will then be issued within two to three days. 

Sergeant Prendergast said to get the DFP, squadron members will need to bring their old driver's permit, fuel card for each vehicle, and V5 (vehicle registration) to pass and registration on their assigned day. Military sponsors can pick up their spouse's DFP card, as long as they have all the relevant paperwork. 

Anyone trying to register more than two vehicles will need justification as to why. Also, anyone missing a fuel card when they go to get the new DFP will need to have a letter signed by their squadron commander regarding the loss of the card. 

Any PCSing before Nov. 1 will not get their cards replaced here. However, anyone changing their car or getting a new car will get the card immediately. Blue cards will no longer be issued, and will no longer be accepted for buying tax-free gas after Nov. 1.
Those who will miss their squadron's assigned date for card issue can go to the make-up dates Oct. 27, 29 or 31. 

A complete listing of squadrons and the dates they can pick up their DFP can be found on the Web site above. 

Editor's note: For more information or to get the 100th SFS secure Web site address where copies of standard letters for both issues can be found, call Sergeant Prendergast at DSN 238-2897. 100th Security Forces Squadron Pass and Registration contributed to this article.