Social media takes off at Malmstrom

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kristina Overton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Social media has become one of the more common ways to communicate in today's culture, and has integrated into the daily activities of most Airmen and their families. To assist in communicating information to a broader audience, Malmstrom Air Force Base will be publishing their official Facebook page and other official social media pages today.

The official Malmstrom page will be managed by the 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office. The site will focus on the mission, base news and events.

"Social media is not new; however, social media in the Air Force is relatively new," said 1st Lt. Chase McFarland, 341st MW Public Affairs chief. "Therefore it's imperative that PA maintains quality control of these products just as we would the external website and newspaper. The Air Force has specific guidance related to social media, AF 35-113, Chapter 15: Social Media, which goes further in depth on the usage of social media tools by Air Force employees."

Any individual, squadron, agency or base organization who seeks to develop a page or profile for any base unit or organization must contact PA to receive proper guidance, training and to ensure page links are documented for adherence to guidance. Also, any individuals wishing to contribute story or event information for the official site(s) may submit a brief paragraph or news article to the PA office in order to disseminate the product.

"Airmen should remember when exercising the privilege of using social media, to be conscious of operational security and Air Force core values," McFarland said. "All Airmen are on-duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and their actions both on- and off-duty are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice."

According to the social media policy, no individual, squadron, agency or base organization may post graphic, obscene, explicit, vulgar, profane, threatening, hateful, racially offensive or ethnically offensive comments, photos or submissions. No soliciting or advertising, to include promotion or endorsement of any financial, commercial or non-governmental agency, should be done on an official page.

For any questions concerning Malmstrom's social media communication tools, contact the Public Affairs Office at 731-4043.