419th invites members to join Facebook fan page Published March 4, 2010 By Public Affairs staff 419th Fighter Wing HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UTAH -- 419th Fighter Wing personnel, along with their family and friends, can now connect via Facebook, the popular social networking site. The wing's official page went online this week and already has more than 100 users, or "fans." It is available at http://tinyurl.com/419fw-fan. Members must access the site from home as military computers don't allow access. Facebook is a popular social media site that facilitates virtual networking and communication among like-minded individuals who "friend" each other, giving Airmen multiple platforms to engage in conversations about their professional and personal interests. The wing's fan page is moderated by the 419th public affairs staff and features informal postings on wing news, videos, photos and discussion topics. Anyone interested in following the 419th FW can sign up to become a fan. Once a fan, users can add comments to the main page, known as the "wall." "Our fan page is meant to encourage connections between 419th members and our supporters near and far," said Ms. Kari Tilton, the wing's director of public affairs. "It's another way for us to highlight the great work of Utah's Citizen Airmen and generate positive dialogue." The page also offers an opportunity to tell the 419th story to countless people and attract the interest of potential recruits, Ms. Tilton added. Facebook has about 350 million regular users. "Since the page is open to the public, members must keep operational security in mind at all times and should use good, old-fashion common sense when posting," Ms. Tilton said. Detailed information on Social Media and the Air Force is available at http://www.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-091210-043.pdf. While comments on the wing's fan page are moderated, they are not censored unless they are defamatory in nature. "The page should be seen as a family-friendly site, so users are asked to keep their comments and wall posts clean and in good taste. Posts that don't comply will be removed," Ms. Tilton said. The page does not allow graphic, obscene, explicit or racial comments or submissions, nor do administrators allow comments that are abusive, hateful or intended to defame anyone or any organization. The fan page also does not allow solicitations or advertisements, nor does it allow comments that suggest or encourage illegal activity. "Like any posting online, people take personal responsibility for their comments, username and any information provided," said Mr. Philip Rhodes, an Air Force Reserve Command social media strategist. "But that shouldn't scare people from participating. The power of Facebook and other social media sites lies in the interaction and community building." 419th personnel may also want to become fans of the Air Force Reserve Command's Facebook page at http://bit.ly/AFRC-Fan. For links to all Air Force social media sites, visit http://www.af.mil/socialmedia.asp.