News Search

419th efforts forge way into new Air Force territory

  • Published
  • By Catherine McNally
  • Hilltop Times
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UTAH --  Social media is definitely not the newest fad to hit the streets, but it's definitely the newest fad to hit the runway.

Thanks to a memorandum from the Department of Defense, the Air Force in March opened up access to social media sites for various bases and currently plans to open up access Air Force-wide sometime this spring.

"The Air Force views the use of social media sites as a positive way to communicate and conduct business," Gen. C. Robert Kehler, commander of Air Force Space Command, was reported saying in a news article released by Air Force Space Command Public Affairs. "Providing more open access will allow the Air Force to communicate more effectively to all Air Force personnel, their families and external audiences," Kehler is quoted as saying.

Providing a link to Air Force life for families and employers is just what the 419th Public Affairs office hopes to do with their current social media initiative.

"I think the Facebook page is a great way to connect with the wing on a regular basis," said Kari Tilton, 419th PA chief.

Ms. Tilton and Mr. Bryan Magaña, 419th PA specialist, are also working hard to create YouTube videos which provide insight into what it's like to be a member of the Air Force Reserve as well as what the 419th FW is all about.

They found some unexpected help through Zoe Waits, a volunteer with the 419th PA office, who is a local community member who created her own cooking "vlog", or "video log" on YouTube. Ms. Waits now acts as narrator in the YouTube videos, and asks questions local community and family members might find interesting.

Ms. Tilton hopes that social media sites will allow the 419th FW to reach out to communities where Reservists work and live. She also hopes that Reservists' civilian employers will get involved and participate in the social media.

"I think their support is crucial, too," Ms. Tilton said.

Of course, the PA office doesn't expect their videos to go viral or become as popular as YouTube hits such as "David After Dentist." In fact, their social media push is still somewhat of an experiment, Ms. Tilton said. However, with more than 700 views of the videos on their YouTube page and 372 friends on Facebook, their "experiment" is a success in reaching out to others.

One of the biggest challenges Ms. Tilton and her colleagues face is moderating the messages and opinions that are displayed on YouTube and Facebook.

Since the Air Force loses control of the messages posted on social media Web sites, it's up to Airmen and site moderators to ensure that people follow rules and keep classified and personal info safe, Ms. Tilton explained.

Another challenge is trying to keep viewers interested and find a balance when it comes to updating.

You don't want to do the same thing on YouTube and Facebook as you do on the official site, Ms. Tilton explained. Instead, the purpose of the social media sites is to try to start dialogue and communicate with everyone involved.

"I don't think we should ever be doing it just to do it," Ms. Tilton added. "There's got to be value and there's got to be an audience for it."

As for future endeavors, Ms. Tilton is hoping they will be able to post videos of a deployed member of the 419th FW so that community members and family will be able to get a first-hand taste of what it's like to work out in the "sandbox". She also hopes to be able to put together video of a future Reserve member as she goes through basic training.

The PA team also plans to feature "man on the street" style videos, which is where random members of the community get to ask questions, along with videos that focus on exceptional Reserve members.

All in all, the 419th FW's goal is simple: to get people interested and involved.
Or, as Ms. Waits says in her YouTube videos, "Come fly with me."

Visit the 419th FW's YouTube page at www.youtube.com/419fw, or become a friend on their Facebook page at www.tinyurl.com/419fw-fan.