Airfield Driving is a privilege

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jason Funez
  • 48th Operations Support Squadron
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  There's no better sound to Airmen than the roaring afterburner of an F-15 zooming in to the wild blue yonder. Many can hear the sound of freedom up close and personal if they have the privilege of driving on the airfield. And what a great privilege it is to be out on an open airfield with aircraft taxiing past your car and then, moments later, blasting off into the sky.

This privilege will not be realized if Airmen do not meet all the training requirements of "Airfield Driving". In order to be qualified to operate a vehicle on the airfield, you must receive a special license from Airfield Management. Your squadron airfield driving program manager can give you the required training, but Airfield Management issues the certificate. After you complete your training, you will receive your AF Form 483, Certificate of Competency (airfield driver's competency card). While driving a Government Owned Vehicle (GOV) or a Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) on the airfield, you MUST have this document in your possession.

There are other safety considerations while driving on the airfield as well. To maintain awareness of your location on the airfield, an airfield map must be carried in all POV's that have authorization to be on the airfield. All individuals driving their POV's on the airfield need to have an approved POV pass issued to them by Airfield Management. This POV pass MUST be displayed at all times when on the airfield.

Also be aware of your surroundings and use approved traffic routes to get to your work area. Understand your abilities and be extra vigilant when driving at night. Remember, aircraft always have the right of way, so if you see lights coming toward you, pull over to a safe location because it may be an F-15 headed your way. As we all know the airfield is not a race track and there are set speed limits that are strictly enforced with stiff consequences. The enforcement measures vary depending on the severity of the violation; the punishment for driving violations may be suspension of airfield driving privileges for as little as seven days or as great as permanent revocation of privileges. To ensure you keep your airfield driving privileges, take your training seriously, comply with procedures and carry the proper documentations on the airfield.

The airfield is a massive environment with more than 15 miles of runway and taxiways. Just because you have the credentials to drive on the airfield, does not mean that you have the authority to drive in the Controlled Movement Area (CMA). The CMA is defined as the runway and the area within 150 feet of the edge of the runway. Vehicle movement in the area is strictly controlled by the Air Traffic Control Tower and direct verbal approval is required before entering.

At Airfield Management, our job is to ensure the safety and efficiency of the airfield and we take that charge very seriously. You can do your part by ensuring that your training is current and documented, you have an AF Form 483 in your possession, a POV pass, if applicable, and an airfield map for quick reference and situational awareness while driving on the airfield.

Driving on RAF Lakenheath's airfield is a great privilege, but you may lose that privilege if you are not adhering to the guidance provided. For more information about the Base Airfield Driving Program, call Tech. Sgt. Jason Funez at 226-3687. Drive safely!