Hill Air Force Base enforcing tighter security after recent attacks in New Orleans, Las Vegas
Jan 5, 2025, 8:35 AM | Updated: 8:36 am
The west gate of Hill Air Force Base is pictured on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. (Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
(Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
OGDEN — Hill Air Force Base announced Friday it will be suspending its Trusted Traveler Program, tightening security after the recent events in Las Vegas and New Orleans.
The program previously allowed those with valid Department of Defense identification to vouch for those in their car when entering the base. Starting Friday, there is a 100% ID check at all gates, and those without identity cards will have to get visitor passes at the South Gate, limited to business hours, according to a social media post from the installation.
The South Gate Visitors Center is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The tightened security is “due to the recent attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas,” and affects all installations, facilities and units within the USNORTHCOM area of responsibility, including the continental U.S. and Alaska, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Northern Command.
“This is a prudent measure to ensure the safety and security of our installations and personnel. This may have the potential to cause delays for personnel or visitors entering installations,” the spokesperson said.
There is no indication when the Trusted Traveler Program may return.
On New Year’s Day, investigators say 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran from Texas, drove through a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans killing 15, and injuring dozens. Hours later, police say 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger, an active-duty US Army Green Beret from Colorado, rented a Cybertruck and detonated the vehicle with fireworks and other fuel outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas.
