BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The 117th Security Forces Squadron updated its fleet with the arrival of a new fully equipped patrol vehicle as Col. Scott Grant, 117th Air Refueling Wing Commander passed the keys to Chief Master Sgt. Robbie Vass, Security Forces at Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base March 13, 2018. Two additional vehicles are expected to arrive in the near future. “Everybody’s really happy to have them,” Master Sgt. Thomas Dunn, Security Forces said.
Along with new colors and graphics the trucks are equipped with loudspeakers for public address notifications and an array of lights. The siren is programmed to change tone when at stop signs or red lights to alert other drivers, and to automatically shut off when parked. Included is a “stop-safe” feature, which allows the engine to remain running without the keys in the ignition but will instantly power off if tampered with, protecting it from theft.
The vehicles are being distributed as part of an Air Force-wide modernization effort and will be used for additional traffic enforcement, emergency response, and supplementing base security.