Public Affairs has many avenues to get word out to community

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Kelley J. Stewart
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  The 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office has multiple avenues to get information out to the community, and three of the more-visible ones are the official Spangdahlem website, the official Spangdahlem Facebook page and the Saber E-Herald.

PA has two journalists, five photographers and a broadcaster to cover all events and items of interest happening here and at the wing's geographically-separated units. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know it's difficult for eight people to cover a population of more than 10,000 people.

To help ensure information is getting out to the people who want and need it most, Sabers and their family members are encouraged help provide that information. They can do this one of two ways. They can post information directly to the official Spangdahlem Facebook page, or they can submit information to PA to be posted to the official Spangdahlem website and considered for inclusion in the Saber E-Herald.

Anyone with a Facebook account can type "Spangdahlem Air Base" into the search engine, and the wing's official page should come up. Then you can post your comment.

Remember, this is an official government website, and certain rules do apply. For example, advertisements for business cannot be posted to this page and will be removed. Also, service members need to remember their comments shouldn't interfere with or prevent the orderly accomplishment of the mission or present a clear danger to the loyalty, discipline, mission or morale of fellow Airmen. If their comments do, then they can be subject to punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Comments posted expressing an issue or concern that affects a large majority of the population will be sent to the group it applies to so an answer can be provided, which will then be posted to Facebook. This is also a good way for wing leadership to see some of the issues service and family members are dealing with, as well as the great things that are happening on and off base.

If Facebook isn't the way you'd like to get your information out or it isn't the best avenue, then there is the official Spangdahlem website. People who'd like to have their masterpiece published online can email the article or photograph to 52fw.panews@spangdahlem.af.mil.

Items posted to the website are also incorporated into the Saber E-Herald, which is sent out weekly by wing leadership to the entire base.

Articles and photos submitted to PA must meet certain requirements. For example, photographs must comply with various regulations like Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel. Photographs with violations cannot be used on the website or in the Saber E-Herald. Also, articles will be edited in accordance with the AP Stylebook and for grammar.

As I like to tell the Airmen in my office, my ESP burned out as an Airman and my crystal ball was lost in a lost in a move. I, and no one else in my office, knows everything that is going on out in the 52nd FW or the GSUs. We rely on people letting us know and helping us pass along the information. We want to hear from you. Don't be afraid to talk to us.