McConnell 'follows' up Facebook with Twitter

  • Published
  • By 2 Lt. Jessica Brown
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  McConnell now counts itself among the scores of Air Forces bases and Department of Defense organizations with a presence on Twitter.

The base, which recently surpassed its goal to obtain 2,000 "likes" on Facebook, came online with a Twitter account April 4, 2012. Since then, McConnell already has more than 50 followers and is plugged into several community members and organizations.

The Public Affairs office has worked to establish a page that will engage Team McConnell and the local community by cross-feeding news articles, photos, base events and the base's official website.

"Just as we did with Facebook, we plan on engaging the community," said Maj. Doug Curran, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs chief. "We want to make sure that we maintain that open line of communication, and Twitter is an easy way to do that."

Twitter originated in 2006 as a way for friends to communicate and has since become one of the fastest ways to share and receive information.

Now that McConnell has a Twitter page the base can send and receive information with those in the "twitter-sphere."

Although it has many positive attributes, social media could be seen as a potential threat, because it can provide enemies a way to obtain sensitive information. In response to these new threats the Air Force has created specific guidance to educate Airmen and their families about how to use sites like Twitter while maintaining operational security and professionalism.

According to "Social Media and the Air Force," a pamphlet produced by the Air Force, Airmen should be cautious when using social media sites because once guarded material is released, there is never a way to fully retract it or completely delete it.

"When information is posted to sites like Twitter your friends see it, bad guys see it and all search engines see it," said Steven Eftink, Information Protection chief.

Airmen should not post information which could compromise the mission. They should also avoid posting full names, contact information, work schedules and birthdays.

A few things to keep in mind while using social media sites like Facebook or Twitter are: watch what you say, use customs and courtesies, double check your privacy settings and never give out your passwords, said Eftink.

While McConnell is already connected with the community, the relationship will only continue to grow with the use of social media.

"Our relationship with the community is very important to us, which is why we find Twitter so useful," Col. Ricky Rupp, 22nd ARW commander. "It's another way for our community to talk to us, to keep in touch and to find out what we're doing on base."

McConnell can be followed @McConnell22ARW.