By SUZANNE DOWNING
March 3, 2026 – US Northern Command has directed military installations across its homeland-defense area, including the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii, to tighten security at installation entry gates as overseas military operations continue in the Middle East.
Base advisories posted Monday said the move is a precaution tied to “ongoing operations in the Middle East,” and that the heightened measures will remain in place “until further notice.”
Installation notices say the new baseline includes:
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100% ID checks at entry points, with all occupants required to show identification.
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Suspension of the Trusted Traveler Program, a policy that allows certain DoD-affiliated drivers to vouch for passengers in their vehicle without those passengers going through the normal visitor vetting process.
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Increased inspections and screening, including random vehicle inspections and other force-protection steps.
Drivers should expect longer lines and delays at gates, particularly during peak commute hours, as more people are routed through the full access-control process.
With Trusted Traveler suspended, unvetted visitors will generally need to first report to a Visitor Center/Pass & ID office, typically with a sponsor alongside them, to request access, complete required background checks, and receive a visitor pass.
USNORTHCOM’s area of responsibility includes Alaska, and Alaska installations can implement additional local procedures on top of the baseline measures.
In Alaska, for example, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s base access page lists the Trusted Traveler Program as “suspended,” with visitors directed to Visitor Control Centers.
2 thoughts on “Security at Alaska bases tightens with suspension of ‘Trusted Traveler Program’”
The program should be suspended permanently. We pay for the security of our country and the security of our military to defend our country. This program makes it easy to side step the defense of America. It should be gone permanently. Finally, someone showed backbone!!
Given the suspension of the Trusted Traveler Program and the shift to 100% ID checks, does anyone know if the base security will still recognize international residency documents for civilian contractors, or are they strictly requiring US-issued IDs now? I’m currently sorting out some international paperwork and was looking at https://e-residence.com/nie-spain-online/marbella/ for a residency-related matter, so I’m worried about how these tighter gate protocols will affect those of us with dual-residency or foreign documentation. Would appreciate any insight from those who have gone through the Visitor Center lately!