When Perimeter Barriers Work: '50 to 0 in One Inch'

Through the grapevine comes this miniature case study of a perimeter security barrier deployment at the Swan Gate at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Ariz. From our source, here's the short version of the story (though the pictures at right tell the real story):

"On 14 MAR, a truck with two occupants tried to run the Swan Gate at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson. They found out the hard way the pop up barrier works.

"The truck went from 50 mph to 0 mph in about 1 inch. Driver and passenger were both drunk and high, drugs and a gun was found in the vehicle. Both of them were also unbuckled, so needless to say they had a date with a local ICU nurse. I guess these barriers are operational."

For reference, State Department tests usually pit perimeter barriers against 15,000-pound vehicles. The vehicle in question appears to be a full-size, double-cab Chevrolet or GMC pick-up, likely weighing in between 4,000 and 5,800 pounds, depending on options and vehicle configuration.