Whiteman AFB reopens Arnold Gate

By Senior Airman Bailey Janes, 131st Bomb Wing Public Affairs / Published June 06, 2019

(Left to Right) The Vice Commander of the 509th Bomb Wing, Col. Seth Graham, the Commander of the 442nd Fighter Wing, Brig. Gen. Roger Suro, the Deputy Commander of the 509th Mission Support Group, Mr. Kendall Nugent, and the Deputy Commander of the 509th Mission Support Group, Lt. Col. Anthony DeGregoria cut the ribbon to reopen Arnold Gate on June 4, 2019, at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, with a new barrier. Arnold Gate was shut down, intermittently, due to the construction of a new gate barrier system. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Bailey Janes)
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(Left to Right) The Vice Commander of the 509th Bomb Wing, Col. Seth Graham, the Commander of the 442nd Fighter Wing, Brig. Gen. Roger Suro, the Deputy Commander of the 509th Mission Support Group, Mr. Kendall Nugent, and the Deputy Commander of the 509th Mission Support Group, Lt. Col. Anthony DeGregoria cut the ribbon to reopen Arnold Gate on June 4, 2019, at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, with a new barrier. Arnold Gate was shut down, intermittently, due to the construction of a new gate barrier system. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Bailey Janes)

The new barrier is engaged at Arnold Gate on Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on June 4, 2019, during a ribbon cutting ceremony. Updates to the barrier were made to improve safety and security. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Bailey Janes)
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The new barrier is engaged at Arnold Gate on Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on June 4, 2019, during a ribbon cutting ceremony. Updates to the barrier were made to improve safety and security. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Bailey Janes)

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WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --

Leaders from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, celebrated the reopening of the installation’s Arnold Gate with a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 4, 2019.

Intermittent closures of the gate began in December of 2018 in order to start the $900,000, “Replace Arnold Gate Active Vehicle Barrier (AVB),” project.

The 509th Civil Engineer Squadron collaborated with civilians to replace the old wedge style barrier

with a Ground Retractable Automobile Barrier (GRAB) as well as moved 500ft down the road.

Staff Sgt. Nicholas Bara, construction inspector for the project, highlighted the benefits of the new GRAB system at Arnold Gate.

“This not only allows security forces personnel more time to react to a possible gate breach attempt from unauthorized entities, but also gives the driver of the vehicle more time to realize they made a mistake before they would encounter the barrier to safely stop and avoid collision,” he said.

Bara elaborated on the improved features of the new barrier.  

“The old wedge would protrude the vehicle to disable it, which could cause severe or even fatal injuries to the occupant(s),” said Bara. “The new GRAB system is not only safer, but is it stronger, more reliable after incidents and cheaper to maintain.”

Construction will continue on Arnold Gate and drivers should be cautious when entering and exiting the base.