New medias at Travis

  • Published
  • By Maj. Vanessa Hillman
  • 60 Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs chief
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Team Travis is benefiting from the addition of new medias introduced to help optimize communication at the base. 

Over the last 5 months, the base has developed a new radio station AM 890, a video outlet for Airmen to tell their story called T-Tube and are beginning an effort to have blogging capabilities at their fingertips. 

"I believe we can't communicate enough," said Col. Mark Dillon, 60 Air Mobility Wing commander. "Our Strategic Communication Team has worked hard to enhance medias and use new technology to communicate across the Team Travis spectrum." 

Colonel Dillon had a vision when he got here to increase communication capabilities. In order to carry out this vision, a multi-disciplinary team was developed to devise a strategy geared toward utilizing and developing new communication techniques. The end result: several commercially available and up and coming medias were incorporated. 

"The Strategic Communication Team focused on developing medias commonly used in our society, and especially our younger generations which comprises nearly 50 percent of our total force," said Maj. David Kuch, 60 AMW Strategic Communication director. We routinely get our news electronically, and we need to utilize these to communicate with Team Travis." 

The success of these new of medias is dependent on participation by Airmen, Major Kuch said. The user-friendly communication methods help Airmen tell their stories and provide updates to the base populace to optimize awareness of what is going on at Travis. 

One of the first changes that were made was the enhancement of the AM radio station the base had acquired for emergency services. Golden Bear Radio, AM 890 serves as the "voice of Team Travis." 

"The vision is for the radio to be where all personnel will turn in the event of disaster," said Maj. Joanna Bourne, 60th Medical Group Perioperative Clinical Nurse Specialist and program director for AM 890. "By including all units in weekly programming it is the hope that base personnel will be used to going to the radio for important information. Then in the event of a disaster, all will have the ability to be well-informed and up-to-date by just tuning in to the radio." 

The programming of the AM 890 is a 24-hour loop of recorded messages including items of interest to all personnel including special base events, local happenings, security updates and health and fitness information. As interest grows, so will the programming. 

Team Travis members don't need to worry about being an experienced radio personality or knowing how to write a radio script. Help is available. 

"As program director for the station, I am happy to guide any personnel that need advice on how to write a script to get their word out" said Major Bourne. 

For information on the Golden Bear Radio AM 890 or to add a spot, please contact Major Bourne at (707) 816-5975 or through email at AM890.management@travis.af.mil
Another avenue the team developed is a video capability based off of YouTube called TTube or Travis -Tube. 

"TTube is a fun way to get Airmen involved with the new media capabilities and tell their story," said Staff Sgt. Shaun Emery, 60 AMW Public Affairs. "The wing purchased two video camera kits for Airmen to check out from Public Affairs to shoot their own viral videos about anything from what their duty section does, to current issues across the Air Force. The program is really starting to pick up, in fact, right now both kits are checked out; a maintainer took a camera out on a flying mission and another is covering five members of Team Travis as they become American citizens." 

Base members who want to develop their own video should contact Public Affairs to make an appointment by calling 424-2011. 

"During the appointment we will review the Airman's plan for their video and give guidance to create the best product possible," Staff Sergeant Emery said. "So far the Airmen we've worked with have given us good feedback, enjoyed the process and produced great videos." 

One of those Airmen is Airman First Class Roger Jimenez, 60th Maintenance Squadron, aerospace ground equipment apprentice, the first Airman who volunteered to put together a TTube video with his squadron. 

"Working on the TTube video was a lot of fun and a lot of work," said Airman Jimenez. "The overwhelming amount of response was positive. It seems like everyone enjoyed watching it. I would recommend any Airmen who are interested in making a TTube video to give it all they've got! Before I made the video I had no idea that I would enjoy making videos or thing like that. Now, I'm looking into doing it as a hobby personally. You never know what you enjoy until you try it. So, if you're up to it give it a try!" 

The TTubes videos received to date have ranged from well-produced "mini-movies" to simple video clips. A high level of technical expertise is not required, and help is available if needed. To view the current T-Tube videos, visit the IPTV link on the Team Travis SharePoint home page. 

The newest media to be introduced is blogging capability off of the wing's Share Point site. 

"The "Team Travis" Blog will provide wing leadership a way to open communication between all Team Travis personnel," said Second Lieutenant John Suter, 60th Communications Squadron officer in charge of network operations. "They will be able to pick the brains and gather input and opinions on a wide variety of subjects, such as upcoming events or current Team Travis issues. The possibilities are really endless." 

The blog will pose a current issue or question to the base personnel and give them an opportunity to post their own thoughts and ideas for everyone to read and then respond to. 

Bloggers don't need to worry about linking their name to their responses; however sound judgment and professionalism should be used. 

"Privacy is protected on the blog and your name is optional," said Lieutenant Suter. "Members are highly encouraged to keep comments honest, but professional. The best way to say it is, if you can't voice your opinion in a respectful way, then don't." 

The blogging link will be open and available to all base personnel with access to the Team Travis cover page. 

"This is a great way for everyone, from the lowest ranking Airman, to the highest ranking officer to provide input," Lieutenant Suter said. "People can no longer complain that their voice isn't being heard! If you have any suggestions bring them up, any suggested blogs can be sent to the PA office and you just may see it being discussed. Remember this is "our" base!" 

To get to the blog, members should go to the Team Travis SharePoint homepage. There is a link on the left hand side title "Team Travis Blog." 

https://eim.amc.af.mil/org/60amw/teamtravis/teamtravisblog/default.aspx