The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide visitors and their sponsors with the most current information regarding entry procedures and circulation control at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
General Access Information
The Installation Commander determines who can enter or leave Davis-Monthan AFB. As a closed base, access is controlled by Security Forces (SF) at Installation Access Control Points (IACP) or “gates”. SF personnel implement stringent vetting, identity proofing, and credentialing procedures to ensure only authorized individuals enter the installation.
100% ID Checks:
Trusted Traveler access remains suspended until further notice.
100% ID checks are conducted at all gates using a Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) handheld scanner for persons aged 18 and older.
Sponsorship Guidelines:
Sponsorship allows approved DoD-affiliated individuals to take responsibility for verifying a visitor’s purpose for entering Davis-Monthan AFB. However, all visitors aged 18 and older must still undergo identity proofing and vetting before receiving a pass. No exceptions.
Who Can Sponsor a Visitor?
- Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve Members (on official orders)
- Federal PIV cardholders for official business only
- DoD CAC Holders
- Military Retirees
- Eligible Military Dependents
- Privatized Housing Residents (limited to their housing area only)
- Installation Bank & Credit Union Employees (sponsorship for banking purposes only)
- Foreign National Affiliates with a DoD CAC (sponsorship must comply with FVS regulations and MAJCOM guidance
- CRAYCROFT VISITOR CONTROL CENTER (VCC) – HOURS OF OPERATION
- HOURS OF OPERATION: 0530 – 1830 hours, All Week (Holidays, Goal Days, Wing Down Days included)
- Security Forces flight personnel operate VCC after hours (1830 – 0530 hours)
DBIDS passes can be issued at the Craycroft Installation Access Control Point (IACP) when the Visitor Control Center is closed.
Visitor Pass Guidelines:
Due to the proofing and vetting requirements at Davis-Monthan AFB, sponsorship of your visitors must be completed in person at the Visitor Control Center. Phone or email requests are not accepted.
Visitor passes may be issued for up to five guests per sponsor per day. If additional guests need access, another sponsor must be used for each group of five.
Visitor pass durations are determined based on the intended purpose of the visit and are determined at the discretion of the Pass & Badge Office. Pass lengths may vary accordingly.
In the event of system outages, pass durations may be adjusted until full functionality is restored.
Visitors requiring extended access for official duties (contractors, vendors, etc.) will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
All visitors must present an acceptable, unexpired government-issued photo ID to verify their identity before being granted access to Davis-Monthan AFB.
Acceptable credentials include:
● REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state-issued identification card.
● U.S. passport or passport card.
● Foreign passport with an unexpired visa or entry stamp.
● U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) or Employment Authorization Document (EAD/I-766).
● Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC) (must be verified and registered at the VCC).
● Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) issued by the Department of Homeland Security.
● Merchant Mariner Credential issued by the U.S. Coast Guard.
REAL ID Deadline – In effect as of May 7, 2025
● Driving credential and/or state ID holders must have a REAL ID-compliant credential (marked with a star) by May 7, 2025 to use their state-issued ID for base access. For other states, the terms “ENHANCED” or watermarked with the U.S. flag validate REAL ID compliance as well.
● Non-compliant state licenses and state IDs will no longer be accepted after this date.
o For alternative REAL ID credentials, please check the Department of Homeland Security website.
Visitors requesting driving privileges on base must present:
● A valid, unexpired state-issued driver’s license appropriate for the class of vehicle being operated. Driver’s licenses MUST be legible, and physically in their possession.
● Proof of valid vehicle registration (must be hard copy).
● Proof of valid and current vehicle insurance (must be hard copy).
Visitors driving a rental vehicle must present:
● A valid rental agreement listing them as an authorized driver.
● A valid driver’s license and proof of insurance (if the rental does not include coverage).
Once your visitor has been issued a pass, they can proceed to the gate where they will present their photo ID along with the pass to the SF member.
Special Event Access (Groups of Six or More)
If you are hosting an event with six or more guests, email 355sfspassid@us.af.mil for a Special Event Request template.
Requests must be submitted at least 10 duty days (Monday-Friday excluding Federal Holidays) in advance from a military email address. If you do not have a military email address available, please visit the VCC in person to verify eligibility before submitting a request via a personal email account.
Denied Access & Appeals
Individuals with active warrants, barment at another base, or certain types of criminal history may be denied entry.
If a visitor does not meet the fitness standards for installation access, they will be denied entry per policies set by the Installation Commander and will receive documentation on how to request reconsideration or an appeal.
Individuals who wish to appeal a denial must follow instructions in their denial letter and submit an appeal request to:
355 SFS/S5R
3345 1st Street
Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ 85707
Final decision authority on denials rests with the Installation Commander.
Curfew Policy at Davis-Monthan AFB
Davis-Monthan AFB follows Tucson City Ordinance Sec. 11-34 regarding curfew hours for minors under 18 years of age.
· Curfew is in place to ensure the safety of minors and applies to all juveniles on base.
· All Davis-Monthan AFB personnel, sponsors, and guardians are responsible for ensuring dependents and visitor minors are aware of and comply with the curfew policy.
Marijuana & Federally Illegal Substances: Although Arizona has legalized recreational marijuana, Davis-Monthan AFB follows federal law—possession and use of marijuana or other federally illegal drugs are prohibited on base. Violators may face criminal charges and denied access.
Vehicle Searches & Impoundment: All vehicles and property are subject to search or impoundment under § 634.8 Implied Consent.
Updated Base Access for Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) Holders & VA Caregivers (Effective 02 December 2024)
Base Access for VHIC Holders:
Veterans with a service-connected disability and a VHIC marked “PURPLE HEART,” “FORMER POW,” “MEDAL OF HONOR,” or “SERVICE CONNECTED” are eligible for installation access and authorized facilities use (medical, MWR, DECA, and AAFES) if those facilities exist on the installation.
Veterans with a zero-percent service-connected disability can establish Purpose for access using a VA-issued HEC Form 623A and establish Identity using a REAL ID-compliant identification, following the same process as VHIC holders.
VHIC holders must register their card at the VCC upon their first visit.
A background check (fitness determination) is required before access is granted.
Effective 02 December 2024, VHIC holders are no longer authorized to sponsor guests using their VHIC status.
Based on DAFMAN 31-101V3 and local guidance, VHIC holders are authorized to ESCORT up to 5 personnel onto the installation. Prior to accessing the installation, the VHIC holder must have their card enrolled in DBIDS by going to the Visitor Control Center (VCC) outside of Craycroft Gate.
When attempting to escort members onto the installation, the VHIC holder must bring all escortees to the VCC to receive an escortee pass. Escortees must bring a DHS REAL ID compliant identification card and present it to VCC personnel for a background check. The background check establishes identity and historic fitness for federal access purposes.
While on the installation, escorts must remain with their escortees (inside the same vehicle/facility) at all times. Escortees found without their escort may be removed from the installation, and the applicable escort may lose escort authority for future access.
Base Access for VA Caregivers:
VA Caregivers are now electronically loaded into DMDC by the Department of Veterans Affairs, eliminating the need for a VA letter from the Office of Community Care to establish Purpose for base access.
Once verified in DBIDS under “Non-Credentialed DoD Affiliation” as “Disabled American Veteran and Patronage,” a REAL ID-compliant credential can be linked to their access control profile.
Caregivers must undergo identity proofing and vetting and register in DBIDS at each installation they seek access to.
Effective 02 December 2024, VA-designated caregivers are no longer authorized to sponsor or be accompanied by guests using their caregiver status.
Can Spouses or Dependents Shop?
Spouses and dependents are not eligible for shopping privileges unless otherwise authorized under a different affiliation (e.g., military retiree, dependent).
They may no longer be sponsored or accompany VHIC holders or caregivers onto the installation using VHIC or caregiver status.
Additional VHIC & Caregiver Access Guidelines:
Base access is only authorized if medical, MWR, DECA, and AAFES facilities exist on the installation.
Installation Commanders may restrict or suspend access during heightened security conditions.
100% DBIDS scans are conducted for all VHIC holders at the gate—Trusted Traveler is not authorized for VHIC access.
Davis-Monthan AFB Firearms Policy
Firearms Possession on Davis-Monthan AFB:
Firearms may only be brought onto Davis-Monthan AFB by the following individuals:
· U.S. military personnel
· Retired U.S. military personnel
· Of-age U.S. military family members
· DoD civilians with valid DoD, military, or dependent identification credentials
· All firearms possession must comply with 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) Firearm Possession Prohibition and applicable Arizona Revised Statutes
International Military Students (IMS) and their accompanying family members are strictly prohibited from possessing, transporting, storing, or using privately owned firearms (POFA) or ammunition on Davis-Monthan AFB.
Carrying Firearms on Davis-Monthan AFB:
Carrying POFA is not authorized on Davis-Monthan AFB, except for:
· Credentialed federal, state, and local law enforcement personnel in the performance of official duties (IAW 18 U.S.C. § 930 and DAFI 31-117).
· OSI agents performing official duties. POFA can be used as a duty weapon per OSI COP XR-01 (2019).
· Military personnel are prohibited from carrying privately owned firearms while in uniform or performing official duties.
Transporting Firearms on Davis-Monthan AFB:
Transportation of POFA is permitted only for U.S. military personnel, retired U.S. military personnel, of-age U.S. military family members, and DoD civilians with a valid military ID.
Transportation Requirements:
· Firearms must be completely unloaded (no magazine or ammunition in the weapon).
· Firearms must not be readily accessible to vehicle occupants. If the vehicle configuration does not allow this, firearms must be stored in a locked container.
· Authorized personnel who do not reside on Davis-Monthan AFB may secure POFA in their privately owned motor vehicle for no more than 24 consecutive hours.
Storage of Firearms on Davis-Monthan AFB:
Only U.S. military personnel, retired U.S. military personnel, of-age military family members, and DoD civilians may store firearms on Davis-Monthan AFB.
Authorized Storage Locations:
· 355th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) Armory
· Soaring Heights/Base Housing
· Recreational Vehicles (RVs) at the Davis-Monthan AFB FAMCamp
Storage Requirements:
POFA must be stored in secure containers with tamper-resistant locks to prevent unauthorized access.
Keys or combinations must be controlled to prevent access by children or unauthorized individuals.
Personnel storing POFA in Soaring Heights Housing or FAMCamp must register their firearms with the 355 SFS Armory.
Firearms storage in privately owned vehicles is prohibited for individuals residing in Davis-Monthan AFB Housing or FAMCamp.
Storage for Dormitory, Lodging, and TLF Residents:
Firearms cannot be stored in government-owned or leased dormitories or lodging facilities.
All POFA must be stored at the 355 SFS Armory.
Dormitory and lodging residents are not authorized to store firearms in their vehicles while on Davis-Monthan AFB
Use of Firearms on Davis-Monthan AFB:
The only authorized location for POFA use is the Davis-Monthan AFB Skeet & Trap Range.
Firearms use is limited to scheduled dates and times set by the 355th Force Support Squadron (FSS).
Only shotguns and associated ammunition for skeet and trap shooting are permitted at this range
Firearms Registration on Davis-Monthan AFB:
Registration of POFA is mandatory.
Personnel must obtain approval from their unit commander, the FAMCamp Manager, or the Davis-Monthan AFB Housing Management Office for storage authorization.
Registrants must sign a DD Form 2760, Qualification to Possess Firearms or Ammunition, verifying compliance with federal firearms laws.
Registration requires the following:
· AF Form 1297 (initial in-processing form)
· AF Form 1314 (registration form)
· Detailed firearm information (type, model, serial number, ammunition quantity)
· Unit commanders must maintain signed registration forms and provide copies to the SFS Armory (355 SFS/S4A).
Additional Firearms Regulations:
Carrying firearms in any government-owned or operated facility is strictly prohibited except where authorized for storage.
Firearms are prohibited in all Air Force restricted and controlled areas except where explicitly permitted (e.g., designated areas within the Davis-Monthan AFB Flight Line and AMARG).
All firearms violations must be reported to installation security forces.
The Installation Commander has not authorized the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) for privately owned firearms carry on Davis-Monthan AFB.