Keeping Incirlik informed through communication channels Published Oct. 26, 2015 By Senior Airman Michael Battles 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Due to Incirlik Air Base's location the need for communication is paramount in disseminating timely and accurate information to the base populace. To broadcast the wing commander's important message, the base utilizes two resources, alongside several other resources -- the Commander's Access Channel, and the Upcoming Events Channel. Designed for the same purpose, to transmit important information to the 39th Air Base Wing community, each channel has a specific set of information that it conveys to the Incirlik community. According to Capt. Mesha Nelson, 39th Air Base Wing chief of public affairs, the Commander's Access Channel is about keeping the base up-to-date about all matters concerning the commander's priorities at Incirlik. "The commander's access channel is a communication tool for the wing's leadership," Nelson said. "It allows the commander to streamline and disseminate pertinent information to the entire base community in a secure forum." On the CAC, viewers can find information about upcoming base events, current restrictions, weather updates, emergency notifications, anti-terrorism and force protection, as well as other information affecting the base community. Working in conjunction with communicating the commander's message, the CAC also operates as a source for all matters related to restricted areas, the latest force protection updates, travel requirements, as well as other information that pertains to security matters affecting Team Incirlik. "Local restrictions and travel requirements change quite readily depending on what threat streams and local activities the intelligence community receives," said Capt. Joseph Cortez, 39th Security Forces Squadron officer in charge of investigations and intelligence. "Reviewing the channel regularly allows our community to stay informed with key information. It is a habit which should become normal for everyone, just like checking the weather report before going on vacation." According to Cortez, the reason the information cannot be published externally is due to operational security. "Currently, for OPSEC reasons, the information published on the CAC channel is not published via social media or other outlets," Cortez said. "For civilians residing off the installation, the best measure to take is ensuring their personal contact information is updated on the AtHoc system. For emergent information, AtHoc is utilized to push out new force protection information to keep the community at large aware of immediate changes." In addition to Incirlik's CAC channel, which is focused on the commander's message and security, the Upcoming Events Channel was recently introduced by the wing commander and focuses on highlighting morale-types of events across Incirlik. "Family members and members of Incirlik will be able to see what is going on with private organizations, MWR and possibly even AFEES events," said Tech. Sgt. Heather Irish, 39th Force Support Squadron commander support staff NCO in charge. "The channel also provides members a more up to date with location and time of the events, if the events need a last minute change." The CAC, and upcoming events channels, can be accessed via American Forces Network at home or throughout public facilities including the Base Exchange, Sultan's Inn Dining Facility, fitness center and most other customer service based facilities. For more information regarding the CAC, contact the 39th ABW Public Affairs office at 676-6060 and for the Upcoming Events Channel call 676-3262.