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***image1***A scary moment for any driver on Ramstein is to come face-to-face with a moving C-130 Hercules. Fortunately, the base has several rules to ensure this does not happen to you, but only if you follow the rules.
The base has seen a large increase in Controlled Movement Area violations; in other words, people are driving where they shouldn’t be. Specifically, on the North Crash Access Road running from the East Perimeter Road, that leads to the 86th Air and Space Communications Group and the 86th Contingency Response Group buildings, to the West Perimeter Road that leads to the 76th Airlift Squadron building. Drivers are making turns off the perimeter road onto the North Crash Access Road and into the Controlled Movement Area.
The other key entry point into the Controlled Movement Area that is a problem for Ramstein drivers is Mitchell Avenue. Once you cross Taxiway Delta and the Ramstein Air Traffic Control Tower, drivers have to beware that the Controlled Movement Area is ahead.
The only traffic allowed in the Controlled Movement Area are government-owned vehicles, contractor-owned vehicles and privately-owned vehicles that have approval from Airfield Management. All drivers must have a valid Ramstein airfield driver’s license. Furthermore, all traffic in these areas must receive permission from the air traffic control tower to enter the area, and have to remain in radio communication the entire time.
“Most drivers end up in these areas because they don’t read the signs or they try to take a short cut,” said Master Sgt. Scott Parrish, 86th Operations Support Squadron deputy airfield manager and 86th Airlift Wing Driving Program manager. “These areas are well-marked with signs that warn drivers in English and German.”
If drivers receive a Controlled Movement Area violation, their commander is notified, said Lt. Col. Dave Klaus, 86th Airlift Wing Flight Safety chief.
“In April alone, we have had eight violations compared to last quarter when we had a total of four,” said Colonel Klaus. “People violating the Controlled Movement Area rules do not understand the severity of driving around on an active airport. Ignoring signs could cause a fatal crash to a vehicle or an aircraft.”
Although the majority of the violations were made by drivers who do not have an airfield driver’s license, some were made by airfield driver operators with valid licenses.
If a member has an airfield driver’s license and violates a rule, the member can have their license suspended for 15 days; a second offense is for 30 days; and a third offense is up to the discretion of the member’s commander, said Airman 1st Class Stephanie Costolo, 86th OSS Airfield Management Operations coordinator.
To avoid ending up in a scary confrontation with an aircraft, stick to the rules. If you have questions, contact your unit airfield driving program manager or call Ramstein Airfield Management at 480-2073.
