Surfing the net

A group of surfers sprang up overnight as word spread that the Wi-Fi hot spot in the Blatchford-Preston Complex (BPC) community mall was up and running Aug. 4, 2008. The hot spot provides deployed service members less restricted internet access to stay in touch with friends and family or play online games. Two wireless hot spots were recently activated here at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Boquette/RELEASED)

Surfing the net

Sgt. Brad Duam, U.S. Army A2-43 Air Defense Artillery, from Fort Bliss, Texas, enjoys the freedom of having a Wi-Fi hot spot to surf his My Space page Aug. 4, 2008. Sgt. Duam said that for him My Space was the best way to keep contact with the world back home. Two wireless hot spots were recently activated here at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Boquette/RELEASED)

Surfs up: Wireless internet now available

Published Aug. 8, 2008
By Senior Airman Clinton Atkins
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

Southwest Asia -- Wireless internet is now available at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in the Blatchford-Preston Complex Base Exchange and Coalition Compound Memorial Plaza.
The 379 AEW commander praised those who made this possible.

"This is a great day for the entire base," said Brig. Gen. Michael Moeller, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. "It took the combined efforts of many Airmen from the 379 AEW to make Wi-Fi a reality. Their superb work and determination of the entire team were the keys to success. They hit a grand slam!"

Surfing the Web using the wireless internet has many advantages compared to using the base network.

"The major advantage for the base populace is that they now have access to sites that are normally blocked on the base network due to mission requirements," said Lt. Col. Jonathan Bakonyi, 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron commander. "Thus, users can access personal Web sites and blogs, chat rooms and similar sites."

The Wi-Fi will allow deployed servicemembers with devices with Wi-Fi capability an alternative to the media center.

"Our Airmen have always had many leisure activities to choose from with the unique services that the [379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron] provides," Colonel Bakonyi said. "This capability provides the deployed Airmen here an avenue for recreational internet use by accessing personal Web sites to stay in touch with family and friends."

To help with possible wireless problems, the 379 ECS has developed a frequently asked questions page on the intranet home page titled "Wireless Instructions" to help users obtain answers to common issues they may experience.

"Additionally, we have placed instructions on the intranet on how to set up XP, VISTA, and Mac systems to access the wireless network," Colonel Bakonyi said.

Due to installation of the Wi-Fi, personal laptops will no longer be imaged for use on the base network.

"Since the Wireless connection is an open network, internet users must be cautious about what sites they visit," he said.

Servicmembers using the service must maintain operational security standards.

Officials remind users:
-Standard operational security applies.
-Do not discuss mission, capabilities, force movements, etc.
-Do not transmit live video or still images depicting force protection concerns such as base security, vehicle deliveries and gate information over the commercial internet service.
- Users are still mandated to follow General Order 1B.