ENHANCED AUTHORITIES IN NATIONAL DEFENSE AREA 5 “SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA-IMPERIAL VALLEY”

Joint Task Force-Southern Border has been conducting enhanced detection and monitoring in designated National Defense Areas (NDAs) since late March 2025, using military tactical vehicle and foot patrols within zones assigned by U.S. Customs & Border Protection, to detect, identify, and monitor suspected illegal activity.
U.S. Northern Command subordinate commands have been delegated authority and responsibility to provide security and law enforcement support in assigned National Defense Areas (NDAs).
National Defense Area 5 “Southern California-Imperial Valley” is now designated as part of the Naval Air Facility El Centro (NAFEC) installation. The Installation Commanding Officer for Naval Air Facility El Centro has been assigned authority and responsibility for NDA 5 “Southern California - Imperial Valley” and directed to provide security and access control assistance in support of Joint Task Force-Southern Border in NDA 5.

UNESCORTED ACCESS TO NDA 5 “SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA–IMPERIAL VALLEY”

Individuals with a Common Access Card (CAC), military ID, military family member ID, Gold Star/Survivor Access ID, or other valid Department of War (DoW) credentials are permitted unescorted access into NDA 5 “Southern California-Imperial Valley”.

All visitors, twelve years and older, without a CAC, military ID, military family member ID, other valid DoW credential, requesting unescorted access to Department of the Navy (DON) installations or assigned National Defense Areas shall be vetted and approved for unescorted access by the installation Visitor Control Center (VCC) prior to entering a DON installation or assigned NDA.

Applicants will require: confirmation of identity, a favorable background check determination, and an approved acceptable purpose of visit, made by the NAFEC VCC, before unescorted access to NDA 5 “Southern California-Imperial Valley” will be approved.

To request unescorted access to the Southern California-Imperial Valley NDA, submit, by email to the NAFEC VCC (nafec_base_access@us.navy.mil), a completed and signed SECNAV Form 5512/1 “DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY LOCAL POPULATION ID CARD/BASE ACCESS PASS REGISTRATION”, a copy of your REAL ID Act compliant driver’s license or ID card (front and back sides), a passport style photograph, and reason and dates for requested unescorted access. Each visitor requesting unescorted access must submit a signed SECNAV Form 5512/1 or screenshot and send a verification code if utilizing the attached QR code.

As of May 2025, all visitors must provide their Social Security Number (SSN) and present a REAL ID Act-compliant identification to initiate the background check.
Visitors must enter “Installation Security Officer” in Block 24 “BASE SPONSOR’S NAME” and “(760) 339-2337” in Block 24 “SPONSOR PHONE”.

By submitting the signed SECNAV 5512/1, the applicant is agreeing to a background check (vetting) by the NAFEC VCC using the National Crime Information Center Interstate Identification Index, a Federal Bureau of Investigation database that provides an applicant’s record of arrests, convictions, fines, and periods of probation and/or incarceration.

ABOUT THE BACKGROUND CHECK

In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12, DOD Manual 5200.08 Vol 3, SECNAVINST 5500.35, and CNICINST 5530.2, all visitors requesting unescorted access to NAF El Centro must be vetted by the NAFEC VCC through the National Crime Information Center Interstate Identification Index (NCIC III). NCIC III is the Navy’s baseline method for background checks for entrance onto DON installations and assigned NDAs for individuals without a DOW issued Common Access Card (CAC) or other approved identification card.

Following a background check with favorable determination, applicants will be issued an NDA 5 “Southern California-Imperial Valley” access pass valid for the approved visit period. This pass is only valid for access into NDA 5 “Southern California-Imperial Valley” and must be readily accessible for presentation to NAFEC installation security personnel or other federal law enforcement personnel. It may not be used for access to the NAF El Centro installation, the NAFEC Range Complex, any U.S. government installation/building, or as a form of identification.

The Installation Commanding Officer may deny access to NDA 5 “Southern California-Imperial Valley” based on results of an NCIC III check that contains credible derogatory information indicating the individual may present a threat to the good order, discipline, health, or safety of personnel on the installation or in the NDA.

The Installation Commanding Officer may rescind access to NDA 5 “Southern California-Imperial Valley”, without prior notification to the visitor.

FACTORS THAT WOULD RESULT IN AN UNFAVORABLE DETERMINATION AND ACCESS DENIAL:
 

• The NAFEC VCC is unable to verify the applicant's claimed identity.
• The NAFEC VCC has a reasonable belief the applicant has submitted fraudulent information concerning his or her identity or purpose of visit.
• The applicant is identified in the:
  • Foreign Fugitive File
  • Immigration Violator File
  • Known or Appropriately Suspected Terrorist (KST) File as known to be or suspected of being a terrorist or belonging to an organization with known links to terrorism or support of terrorist activity
• The applicant has a current arrest warrant in NCIC III, regardless of the offense or violation.
• The applicant is currently barred from entry or access to a federal installation or facility.
• The applicant has a U.S. conviction for espionage, sabotage, treason, terrorism or murder.
• The applicant has been convicted of crimes encompassing sexual assault, armed robbery, rape, child molestation, production or possession of child pornography, trafficking in humans, drug possession with the intent to sell, or drug distribution.
• The applicant is a registered sex offender.
• The applicant has been convicted of a felony firearms or explosives violation.
• The applicant has engaged in acts or activities designed to overthrow the U.S. government by force.
• The applicant has a felony conviction within the past ten years or two misdemeanor convictions within the past three years, regardless of offense or violation.
• The NCIC III report contains criminal arrest or conviction information about the applicant that leads the Installation Commanding Officer to determine the applicant presents a threat to good order and discipline or health and safety at the installation.

Individuals who are denied access to NDA 5 “Southern California-Imperial Valley” may submit an appeal for waiver of access determination to the NAFEC Installation Commanding Officer in accordance with instructions provided by the NAFEC Visitor Control Center.


DBIDS Pre-Enrollment: 

https://dbids-global-enroll.dmdc.mil/preenrollui/#/landing-page  or with the below QR code:



 

IMPORTANT INFO

El Centro National Defense Area Senior Commander Designation
 
Executive Order 14167 - Clarifying the Military's Role in Protecting the Territorial Integrity of the United States
 
National Security Presidential Memorandum 4 - Military Mission for Sealing the Southern Border of the United States and Repelling Invasions
 
Army General Order 2025-10 - Assignment of New Mexico Withdrawn Lands to the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Huachuca for Use as National Defense Areas