Vandenberg Gate, Visitors Center hours change Published May 1, 2014 HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Starting June 1, Hanscom AFB will implement some scheduling changes at its Vandenberg Gate and adjacent Visitor Center. The gate will operate from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and federal holidays. The Visitor Center will open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends, federal holidays and any other Hanscom down days. The changes are necessitated by projected deployments and losses from the Air Force's Force Management programs, which present significant manning challenges to the 66th Security Forces Squadron. The gate changes will allow the squadron "to continue providing seamless, top-notch emergency services for the base and avoid the use of augmentee forces," said the squadron's commander, Lt. Col. Mike Morales. The process for sponsoring individuals onto the installation will remain the same. Sponsors who wish to have guests come onto Hanscom AFB may continue to send an email from a ".mil" or ".gov" account to Visitor@hanscom.af.mil or go in person to the Visitor Center with their guests' information up to five days in advance. Additionally, the installation entry controllers will continue to provide passes to properly sponsored visitors at the gates when the Visitor Center is closed. The Hartwell gate will remain open 24 hours per day. "Hanscom leadership and the 66th Security Forces Squadron understand the changes will inconvenience some members and appreciates their flexibility and understanding," Morales said. For any further details, please visit the Hanscom FAQ website at http://www.hanscom.af.mil/questions/index.asp or contact the Police Services section at 5-5613.