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386th ECS offers free wireless in common areas

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  386th Air Expeditionary Wing leadership unveiled DAWG-Net, a free wireless internet system quietly installed by the 386th Expeditionary Communications Squadron in common areas throughout the base, during a commander's call March 6. 

The system is free to use, but requires users to create an account and install software to ensure their virus protection software is up-to-date before use. 

The service is available at the Flex, the Rocker's Lounge, the Oasis, the Learning Resource Center, the pool and pavilion areas. 

"It functions like any other commercial ISP you would find in a coffee shop or hotel with the provisions of General Order 1B as imposed by U.S. Central Command," said Capt. Alvin Salter, 386th ECS Operations Flight commander. "To subscribe, the user only needs to create an account in one of the designated common areas that have wireless access." 

Captain Salter said although a help guide is available, they will not be able to provide technical support with personal computers. 

"Because this is a commercial internet service, the 386th ECS cannot provide technical assistance with personal computers," he said. "This service will be provided in the same manner as you would find in an airport as a self-service connection." 

The 386th ECS Operations Flight has been working on installing and configuring the DAWG-Net system for the last month. 

"Between equipment installation, configurations, help guides and the websites we built, we had folks who would work 16-hour days consistently to ensure customer satisfaction," said Staff Sgt. Eric Helgeson, 386th ECS communications systems control technician. "The biggest challenge was finding the spot where network security and ease-of-use intersected, and we believe that is where our system is at." 

Sergeant Helgeson said DAWG-Net fulfills a desire they often hear about here at the Rock. 

"The biggest complaint across the Rock regarding morale is internet availability," he said. "For us to be the ones who bridged this gap makes us extremely proud of what we accomplished. The biggest payoff for us is knowing that we are the ones who made it possible for all joint forces to be able to talk to or see their family members at any time, or for someone to be able to login to their MySpace or Facebook page and not have to worry about it taking 25 minutes to load. On top of that, members will be able to participate in online classes at the LRC without having to be at work. All of these benefits are available to your own personal computers at no charge."