“Leave the Game Better Than You Found It” – How One Airman Transformed Vehicle Inspections

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Daniel Velasquez, 378th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron physical security noncommissioned officer in charge, poses for a photo on the catwalk he led the effort to establish in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, April 1, 2025. Velasquez earned a forklift certification while deployed and used those skills to construct a temporary vehicle search area, ensuring operations continued seamlessly during renovations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shaei Rodriguez)

“Leave the Game Better Than You Found It” – How One Airman Transformed Vehicle Inspections

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jazmine Rivas, 378th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron visitor control center member, uses a mirror to inspect the underside of a commercial vehicle in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, March 31, 2025. VCC members use the mirror to check for newly installed parts under trucks, which could indicate tampering. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shaei Rodriguez)

“Leave the Game Better Than You Found It” – How One Airman Transformed Vehicle Inspections

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Richard Williams, 378th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron visitor control center leader, demonstrates the steps drivers must follow when entering the vehicle search area in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, April 1, 2025. The signs were recently installed to help guide drivers and improve inspection efficiency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shaei Rodriguez)

“Leave the Game Better Than You Found It” – How One Airman Transformed Vehicle Inspections

Airmen assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron inspect commercial vehicles in the newly revamped vehicle search area in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, April 1, 2025. The new search area has improved efficiency, allowing Airmen to inspect vehicles thoroughly in just seven minutes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shaei Rodriguez)

“Leave the Game Better Than You Found It” – How One Airman Transformed Vehicle Inspections

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Carter McKinney, 378th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron visitor control center member, swabs a steering wheel for bomb-making material residue during a vehicle inspection in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, March 31, 2025. The sample is then tested to detect trace or bulk amounts of drugs and explosives. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shaei Rodriguez)

“Leave the Game Better Than You Found It” – How One Airman Transformed Vehicle Inspections

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jazmine Rivas, 378th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron visitor control center member, inspects a commercial vehicle from a newly installed catwalk in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, March 31, 2025. The catwalk improves efficiency and safety during vehicle inspections. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shaei Rodriguez)

“Leave the Game Better Than You Found It” – How One Airman Transformed Vehicle Inspections

Published April 17, 2025
By Tech. Sgt. Shaei Rodriguez
378th Air Expeditionary Wing

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY --

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Daniel Velasquez, 378th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron physical security noncommissioned officer in charge, led a project that massively overhauled the vehicle search area at the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, March 31, 2025, reducing commercial vehicle screening time and improving inspection efficiency.

When Velasquez arrived at the 378th ESFS, he immediately recognized inefficiencies in the commercial vehicle screening process. Drivers faced long wait times, delaying the delivery of critical resources such as food, construction materials, and fuel. Drawing from his home station’s best practices, he identified key improvements to streamline operations.

“The biggest challenge was the search area itself—it was chaotic and disorganized, making inspections inefficient and even unsafe,” Velasquez said. “Our personnel couldn’t properly inspect the tops of vehicles, which left us at a major disadvantage. I knew restructuring the layout would improve both security and efficiency.”

Velasquez didn’t just oversee the project—he immersed himself in every aspect of its execution. He studied Unified Facilities Criteria regulations to align the plan with civil engineering requirements, earned a forklift certification while deployed, and used those skills to construct a temporary VSA, ensuring operations continued seamlessly during renovations.

When funding became available, Velasquez worked with partner agencies to implement critical upgrades, including a catwalk for elevated inspections, Arabic-language signs to guide drivers through the process, and a designated holding area to prevent repeat visitors from memorizing and evading screenings. His coordination with the 378th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron and other stakeholders ensured the project remained on track and within budget.

"Daniel is super driven," said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Benjamin McCorkle, 378th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron assistant resource advisor. "None of us were experts on catwalk structures, but he had the idea and took the lead. He quickly learned everything he needed to know, ensuring the best possible design made it into the contract."

The revamped VSA can now process a vehicle in seven minutes—an even faster turnaround when K-9 units assist. With clearer guidance for drivers and a more secure inspection environment, Airmen can thoroughly check for bomb-making material residue, search for hidden contraband, and prevent security gaps caused by repeat visitors learning the process.

“Before these upgrades, it was a very time-consuming process and an unsafe one,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jazmine Rivas, 378th ESFS visitor control center member. “We can now inspect vehicles faster without cutting corners, and the catwalk has made a huge difference in keeping us safe while doing our job.”

Velasquez has long believed in the principle of leaving things better than he found them—a mindset reflected in his approach to the VSA project and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.

“Leave the game better than you found it... and when it comes time for you to leave, leave a legend,” Velasquez said, quoting his longtime inspiration, Kobe Bryant.