Spangdahlem first USAFE base to migrate to AFNet Published Sept. 5, 2012 By Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The Air Force Network migration is nearly complete here, making Spangdahlem the first base in U.S. Air Forces in Europe to usher computer users into the AFNet. The transition is the Air Force's way of centralizing computer users into one solid and standardized network, which allows one group of people to manage the entire network rather than individual base communications squadrons. Until this service-wide transition, each base managed its own domains and computer systems, said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Conway, 52nd Communications Squadron AFNet migration project manager. Network operations consistency was difficult to achieve with each base having its own local policies and procedures. Spangdahlem's migration began Aug. 27 with the last of the migration ending the first week of October. After the migration, the 52nd CS will still manage local servers; however, a higher level of management will sustain the core processes. Funneling the core processes through the centralized network should also enhance cyber security throughout the Air Force. Conway said he knows the migration here will be a total success based on the confidence and competence of the 52nd CS. The squadron aims to be the standard for other communications squadrons in USAFE. "USAFE sometimes relies on Spangdahlem to put themselves out there and tell people it can be done," Conway said. "Being a 'test base' can be difficult, but it's an awesome opportunity to show what we're really capable of." Capt. Aaron Lake, USAFE AFNet migration lead, said the support has been tremendous from the communications community in the migration of thousands of computer systems to the centralized network. "Spangdahlem really leaned forward and took on a tough, but definitely achievable, challenge," he said of the base's success in performing the migration and informing the community. "They have set the bar high for the rest of USAFE." The most visible change of the migration computer users will see is the format of their email addresses. The migration replaces the current firstname.lastname@base.af.mil with a standardized firstname.lastname@us.af.mil. This email address will follow users to every base or organization for the duration of their career. The current, or legacy, email addresses will remain intact until the user moves to another base and the communications squadrons deletes the email address. Leaving the legacy addresses active lets users gradually transition into the new format and still receive email from people who are not aware of the change. Email subscriptions, website logins, password recovery tools or anything else using the legacy address should be changed as soon as the migration is complete to avoid miscommunication. Also, users can now contact the Enterprise Service Desk, consolidated customer service help desk, which is designed to serve as a one-stop shop for the resolution of common user problems. As more bases join the AFNet, Airmen will be able to log into their accounts from any AFNet base without requesting and creating an additional account. Sites such as the Air Force Portal, Air Force Personnel Center and the Defense Finance Accounting Service will remain accessible regardless of duty location. If a user experiences any technical difficulties following the migration, call the ESD overseeing the AFNet migration at DSN 510-435-7337.