You are responsible: sponsoring visitors onto Cannon and Chavez Published Feb. 2, 2012 By Maj. James Masoner 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The policies for visitor entry onto Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., and Chavez West military housing have recently changed. Cannon personnel are now able to sponsor guests onto facilities by vouching for them at the main entry control points. The policy for both locations is that visitors will either be escorted or sponsored by: an Active Duty, Guard or Reserve member on official orders to CAFB; DoD civilian; military retiree; or adult dependent age 18 or older. Personnel with temporary passes are not authorized to escort visitors. Sponsors found to have violated escort procedures may be subject to legal or administrative action. All occupants of commercial transport vehicles will present identification prior to entry. When it is impractical for the sponsor to remain with the visitor at all times while on base, the sponsor may request a visitor pass at the VCC. The sponsor must be present at the VCC to sponsor the visitor. The visitor must present a government-issued state or federal ID card with photo. A criminal background check will be completed by security forces prior to issuing a pass. All visitors in dormitory areas must be continuously escorted. Contractor passes will be worked through the base agency sponsoring the contracted work. All contractors must be vetted and processed through the VCC for pass issuance. All visitors 18 years of age or older must possess a federal-or state-issued photo identification card while on base or they will not be allowed entry. Gate guards have the right to require any and all personnel to present identification at any time. Full ID card checks will not be advertised, but rather security forces will ask for compliance when required. It is important to keep in mind that the sponsor has ultimate responsibility for visitors while on base. Sponsors must physically appear at the Visitor Control Center (Main Gate area) with their visitor to get a pass. All personnel 18 years of age and older are required to have a valid U.S. government-issued state or federal ID card with photo and will have a criminal background check conducted prior to receiving a pass. Security Forces will check the visitor against the base-barment roster as well as the base driving suspension roster prior to issuing a pass. Passes for visitors entering for social reasons will be issued a pass valid up to 48 hours. Visits longer than 48 hours require Commander or First Sergeant endorsement. Contact security forces personnel at 784-4499 if you have questions about these new policies.