USAFE blog open to Airmen

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. J.D. Griffin
  • USAFE Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Airmen now have their own dedicated web-space to talk about their service in the U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

"USAFE Live" is a new blog Airmen are encouraged to use for posting accounts of their experiences using words and photos. The site is located on the internet at http://usafelive.dodlive.mil and is accessible from government computers.

"Social media is sweeping the internet," said Lt. Col. Pamela Cook, USAFE Chief of strategy and assessments. "If we want to get our message to younger internet users we need to go where they are, and that's what we're doing."

All USAFE Airmen are invited to participate, no matter their rank. Airmen only need to contact their Public Affairs office if they're interested in contributing a post.

The kick-off post was an offering from Gen. Roger Brady, USAFE commander. "I want to create a site where Airmen can talk about what they do here in Europe as USAFE Airmen and as NATO partners."

USAFE Live is promoted as a place for Airmen to share stories that particularly tell how they support the command's four key lines of operation, which are:
· Feeding the fight in the CENTCOM AOR
· Ensuring presence and access to the Eurasian continent in support of U.S. and allied objectives
· Providing the full range of deterrent air power in support of allies and friends
· Building the capabilities of partner nations

All opinions are welcomed as long as they are given respectfully.

"I want people to be professional, but I don't want them to think there are things I won't discuss," said General Brady. "They might not always find me agreeing with them, but I do want to engage with them."

The launch of USAFE Live coincides with President Barack Obama's new media initiative for openness and transparency in government.

"Executive departments and agencies should harness new technologies to put information about their operations and decisions online and readily available to the public," stated President Obama in a recent memorandum.

"Executive departments and agencies should also solicit public feedback to identify information of greatest use to the public," the memo continues. "Public engagement enhances the Government's effectiveness and improves the quality of its decisions."

In line with the feedback guidance, USAFE Live offers a comment "button" for each post. USAFE Live also has links to Air Force BlueTube, an Air Force focused video-site hosted by YouTube; Air Force Live; Air Force Twitter and other DOD-based links.