MEMBERSHIP

If you are 50 years or older, and have retired from Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Labs, DOE/NNSA, other federal agencies, or the Military, you are eligible to join the Coronado Thunderbirds.

Ron McCall, 2022 Membership Chair, is the primary contact for Membership (for you to JOIN or for you to RENEW your membership). Access the necessary instructions and forms by going to the links here:

Link 1 – Base Pass Request Application Instructions (and samples )
Link 2 – 2022 Base Pass Application (please print out, fill in according to the instructions and samples, and return to Ron)

How to Join/Renew

STEP 1: Become an Air Force Club Member (if you are not already a member).

A Family Unit (whether consisting of only one member or of 2 members) must pay monthly dues of $10/month.
If you are NOT an Air Force Club Member, you may click the link on the “JOIN NOW” icon to begin your membership process.
- When you choose the “Air Force Club,” you should select “Kirtland AFB” (aka the Mountain View Club or MVC). When you choose “Rank,” it should be one that is $10, such as “Retired Officer.” Someone on the MVC team will later designate your rank as “DOE/Contractors/Thunderbirds.
The Air Force Club uses a cellphone app, Member Planet, for you to track your membership. You may download that app after you have “Claimed Your Account.”
If you are already an Air Force Club Member, you must continue to pay your monthly dues to retain your membership when you renew your Base Pass. Your membership is verified at the time you join the Air Force Club and also when you renew your Base Pass.

STEP 2: Print out, fill in, and submit your Base Access Application, and also submit your Coronado Thunderbirds club dues.

Fill in the Base Pass Application (Link 2) per the instructions and samples (Link 1) .
Pay Coronado Thunderbirds annual dues, which are $15 per person ($30 per family unit) requesting a DBIDS badge/s for KAFB access. Checks for dues should be payable to “Coronado Thunderbirds.”
Your application/s and checks for dues may be mailed to the Membership Chair or given to him at a meeting.
IF YOU WISH TO PAY YOUR DUES WITH CASH, please make other arrangements with Ron to pay your dues. DO NOT SEND CASH IN THE MAIL.

Once you have completed these Steps, Ron McCall, 2022 Membership Chair, then takes the paperwork to Base to complete the approval processes.

Ron will contact you when your access form has been taken to the Badge Office.

It does take a little time for your MVC Club membership to be confirmed, and then it takes at least a week (sometimes up to 3 weeks) to get a new badge made. (Also, please keep Ron updated with your current address, phone number, and email address.)

Current processing time is usually 10 business days (but could be more). Follow the instructions in the paperwork regarding when to pick up your badge.

When your badge is ready, you may go to the Truman Visitor Control Center to pick up your badge. It is recommended that you go Monday through Friday, 6:00am to 3:00pm. You will also need an ID, your vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.

Benefits of Membership

We are privileged to have access to Kirtland Air Force Base facilities, such as the Mountain View Club and it’s many activities, and numerous Kirtland Force Support facilities. These include the fitness centers, the golf course, the auto hobby shop, bowling, Aero Club, FSS Theater, RV storage, etc. – Kirtland activities access.

And, you have the chance to engage with former co-workers and meet new friends.

Badge/Club Membership Renewals

TO RENEW YOUR BADGE/CLUB MEMBERSHIP, YOU MUST FILL IN AND SUBMIT THE SAME PAPERWORK AS WHEN YOU FIRST JOINED. (See Links 1 and 2)
Your long-term Badge is valid for only 12 months; however, you may “lose” at least a month each year due to renewal processing time. If you do not renew your Badge before it expires, you are not allowed onto KAFB until you receive your renewed Badge.
Check your Badge frequently for the expiration date, which is in the upper right-hand corner. If your Badge is expiring soon, please submit your renewal application a month or so before the expiration date.
You must also maintain your membership in the Mountain View Club ($10/month/family unit).
After your initial payment of Coronado Thunderbirds club dues, you are required to pay those dues on a fiscal year basis (January – December). You may pay your dues for the following year beginning in October of the current year. Dues for the following year must be paid by January 31st, or you are no longer considered a current member; and you must turn in your badge.

Base Access Protocols

THE KAFB GATES HAVE 100% ID CHECKS.

CORONADO THUNDERBIRDS MEMBERS MAY ESCORT NON-MEMBERS/GUESTS ONTO BASE, BUT SHALL FIRST VISIT THE TRUMAN VISITOR CONTROL CENTER ACCOMPANIED BY THE NON-MEMBERS/GUESTS. THE NON-MEMBERS/GUESTS MUST HAVE A VALID ID SO THAT THEY MAY EACH OBTAIN A SHORT-TERM BASE PASS. BE MINDFUL THAT YOUR GUESTS MUST SUBMIT TO A BACKGROUND CHECK AND COULD BE DENIED BASE ACCESS.

BX and Commissary privileges are only for active military and military retirees. NOTE: The BX Food Court is open to anyone with a Base Pass.

In the event that you no longer wish to be a member of the Coronado Thunderbirds, you are responsible for stopping payment to the Air Force Club organization. You are also required to return your DBIDS badge to the Base.

Member name tags

Click here for information on optional member name tags that you may purchase.