Incirlik preparing for social media network access

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Air Force officials began a two-week phased opening April 26 of access to social media sites Air Force-wide.

Pacific Air Forces bases gained access to social media sites earlier in April, serving as the test-bed prior to the Air Force-wide initiative.

Air Force Space Command, Air Education and Training Command and Air Mobility Command bases gained access to social media sites April 26. Air Combat Command, Air Force Reserve Command, Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Force Special Operations Command and United States Air Forces in Europe will get access beginning May 1. During the final phase, Air National Guard bases will get access beginning May 6.

It will take up to five business days to open up every base in each major command because technicians in the Integrated Network Operations and Security Centers responsible for opening social media access must account for the different major command network infrastructures. They also must allow members of the Air Force Computer Emergency Response Team to provide required services to each MAJCOM as they are granted access.

"Twenty-Fourth Air Force (officials) determined the best way to implement access to Internet-based capabilities was to follow the standard practice of allowing the 624th Operations Center, working in conjunction with the INOSCs, to determine who gets the upgrade first based on mission requirements," said Brig. Gen. David B. Warner, AFSPC communications and information director and chief information officer. "The INOSCs have the most in-depth knowledge of the network infrastructures within each MAJCOM and thus can initiate changes in the most efficient way possible.

"Due to the importance of allowing access to more Internet-based capabilities for communication and collaboration, we are working to strike a balance between maintaining a safe and tightly controlled network while allowing Airmen to have the access they need to get information and conduct business," General Warner continued. "We are diligently working with communications and information experts at 24th Air Force and the INOSCs to assure the mission, while ensuring a standardized roll-out and maintaining the appropriate level of security."

Providing access to social media sites from Air Force government computers meets the intent of Department of Defense Directive-Type Memorandum 09-026 -- Responsible and Effective Use of Internet-based Capabilities, issued Feb. 25.

"It's very important for Team Incirlik to understand that while it's imperative to embrace these new and useful technologies, we must use them in an appropriate and responsible manner," said Col. Eric Beene, 39th Air Base Wing commander. "The security of our network should be number one in our minds as we use these sites. I'm confident we can all abide by the rules governing these privileges which allow our Air Force to communicate in a far-reaching capacity."

Various Air Force and DOD regulations provide guidance for Airmen using social media on government networks. Personal use of social media sites 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.

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 AF network and any OPSEC violations are punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

(Editor's note: This article was originally posted by www.af.mil 4/26/2010, and was localized by the 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs office.)