Gate traffic during exercises

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ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The Commander's Action Line is a forum for the Ellsworth community to make suggestions or voice concerns about Ellsworth directly to Col. Mark Weatherington, 28th Bomb Wing commander. Below, he responds to a question about gate traffic during exercises.

QUESTION
While entering the Ellsworth Air Force Base around 1 p.m. the "school gate" was closed and the "main" gate had traffic backed up the the four way stop. I understand that there was an exercise going on, but I feel that it shouldn't interrupt normal life, yes I know I live on a base. My issue is why wasn't the second lane at the main gate open with all the extra traffic? I was a gate guard at another base and I feel like this base really needs help with the gates, leap frog doesn't speed things up.
Col. Mark Weatherington
Col. Mark
Weatherington		 RESPONSE
We will continue to "interrupt normal life" on base for exercise purposes and other reasons when necessary--this includes force protection exercises like the one conducted on the day in question. These exercises test our ability to protect Airmen and their families and they also provide important information to help us adjust procedures in the future. While your experience at another base is interesting, we did not have the luxury of opening a second lane for your convenience, given local manpower and mission requirements. We may however have the ability to do so in the future, and will certainly consider it.