Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Social media sites to open on Air Force network By Capt. Christina R. Hoggatt
                Air Force Space Command Public Affairs
 PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - Air Force officials are opening the Air Force network to allow access to Internet-based social-networking sites. Initial access will be available at five Pacific Air Forces bases March 30, and will begin opening sites Air Force-wide later in April. This change in policy is a result of the Department of Defense Directive-Type Memorandum 09-026 - Responsible and Effective Use of Internet-based Capabilities - issued Feb. 25. The PACAF bases with initial access to Internet-based capability sites include: Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; Eielson AFB, Alaska; Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; Hickam AFB, Hawaii; and Yokota Air Base, Japan. According to DOD officials, Internet-based social-networking services have become integral tools for all manner of operations across the military services and in collaboration with other federal agencies and the public. Air Force Space Command Headquarters is the Air Force-designated approval authority for the AFNET. In this capacity, AFSPC officials are responsible for the policies, procedures and the implementation plan for Internet-based capabilities on the AFNET. The Air Force implementation plan will allow access while still ensuring a tight and secure network to defend against malicious activity to safeguard the missions that depend on cyberspace. The initial phase at PACAF will involve tracking metrics from both pre- and post-access allowed periods and involve a multi-disciplinary risk assessment prior to opening the sites Air Force-wide. The assessment will help mitigate operational risk, but it also will educate AFNET experts on the guidelines that might be required for Internet-based social-networking site usage. "As we leverage these new technologies, it is imperative that all Air Force personnel practice safe online activity to protect the network," said Gen. C. Robert Kehler, commander of Air Force Space Command. "The Air Force views the use of social media sites as a positive way to communicate and conduct business. Social media and other emerging technologies provide an increasingly important means of communication and collaboration. Providing more open access will allow the Air Force to communicate more effectively to all Air Force personnel, their families and external audiences." According to Brig. Gen. David B. Warner, AFSPC communications and information director and chief information officer, AFSPC officials worked hand-in-hand with those in the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer, the Air Force Network Integration Center and 24th Air Force to develop the policy and processes to allow access to these sites. "All Air Force personnel will be allowed to utilize Internet-based social media sites via the AFNET for official use and limited personal use," General Warner said. "All Air Force personnel must use due diligence when posting information online and must always follow Joint Ethics regulations and operational security, or OPSEC. "The Air Force will limit or restrict the use of Internet-based capabilities as needed to defend against malicious activity or for operational considerations. Assuring the Air Force missions that rely on cyberspace is our number one priority," General Warner said. According to various regulations, Air Force personnel cannot post any classified or sensitive information and must follow the guidelines for appropriate social media and Internet use. The inappropriate posting of information on the AFNET and any other OPSEC violations will be punishable by Uniform Code of Military Justice. Personal use must be of reasonable duration and frequency that have been approved by supervisors and do not adversely affect performance of official duties, overburden systems or reflect adversely on the Air Force. "We recognize the importance of allowing Airmen to have access to more Internet-based capabilities to communicate, and we will work to strike a balance between maintaining a safe and controlled network while allowing Airmen to have appropriate access," General Kehler said. "Adversaries continually try to gain access to our mission critical systems. All AFNET users must do their part to help secure operations conducted in and through cyberspace. The results of the operational assessment may drive the final timing of AF-wide implementation." Now that these tools are available, all Air Force personnel and their families can get the most up-to-date Air Force information from Web sites on the Air Force's official social media directory. Additionally, to continue safeguarding the AFNET as well as the privacy of all Air Force people, there are many online training tools to help educate everyone on appropriate online activity. Those sites include: National Operations Security Program - OPSEC and Social Networking Sites Safety Check list
    DOD's Social Media Hub
    U.S. Strategic Command's Social Network Training site AFI 35-113, Internal Information, Chapter 15: Social Media
    Air Force Instruction 33-129 Section 2, Use of Internet Resources by Government Employees
    AFI 35-107, Public Web Communications
    Joint Ethics Regulation 2-301-Use of Federal Government Resources
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Washington Guard, Royal Thai Army Conduct Expert Exchange
 By Joseph Siemandel,
  Tennessee Guard Rescues Hiker in Great Smoky Mountains Park
 By Lt. Col. Darrin Haas,
  Champions Repeat at NH National Guard Marksmanship Match
 By Master Sgt. Charles Johnston,
  More
 Tennessee Guard Rescues Hiker in Great Smoky Mountains Park Guard News • 2 days ago
 Champions Repeat at NH National Guard Marksmanship Match Guard News • 3 days ago
 West Virginia Air National Guard Wing Conducts ’Super Drill’ Guard News • 3 days ago
 Idaho Medical Airmen Train in Field to Boost Readiness Guard News • 3 days ago
 Alaska Air National Guard rescues 6 plane crash victims Guard News • 3 days ago
 2024 (189)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil