ADX consolidation to begin at McConnell

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica Lockoski
  • 22nd Air Reuling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNEL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Imagine logging onto the network from any Air Force base and accessing your e-mail, calendar, tasks and file shares.

With the help of the Air Force Communications Agency, an Active Directory and Exchange is designed to improve McConnell computer network members' access to information. Not only is the program scheduled to begin at McConnell, the consolidation will also eventually affect every Air Force Base.

"The ADX consolidation will first begin in the Air Mobility Command starting here," said Kevin Gootee, 22nd Communication Squadron, chief of Network Control Center. "A Network Operations Center Team from AMC is scheduled to visit McConnell in March."

The migration will allow each user to have a continual standard @af.mil e-mail address that will allow them to access their information from any global Air Force location.

"The Air Force will be able to centrally manage the network" he said. "Imagine people can go through basic military training and receive one e-mail address they will have throughout their entire career."

Users will be able to access the same common applications and data such as reading and composing e-mail, access tasks, calendars, contact list and shared files.

"This will be a huge benefit to members who are on a Temporary Duty such as aircrew and individuals who are deployed," said Maj. David Hooten, 22nd CS commander. "This is still a ways down the road since all Air Force bases will have to be migrated before this becomes reality.

Users can look forward to several benefits from centralized network management including information security.

"The consolidation should reduce the amount of time required to patch computer systems and eliminate potential vulnerabilities," said Major Hooten.

"It will also improve working capabilities because it will allow collaboration to enhance training and faster information flow," said Mr. Gootee.

Though network changes by AFCA should be made seamless and transparent to users, the Major said, e-mail will appear and function as it always has.

McConnell personnel can prepare for the new consolidation by practicing good information management principles.

"As a precaution, we encourage users to back up any and all important files and documents they have saved on their local hard drive," said Major Hooten. "This is good practice all users should implement, but even more important during major network upgrades and projects such as this."

"The Communication Squadron is preparing to the fullest extent possible to deal with any issues that occur during the migration," said the Major.

If personnel experience problems during the ADX migration contact the 22nd CS help desk at 759-3090 option 1, 1.