Channel Islands ANGS, Calif. -- In a move to streamline news production and save money, the wing's VanGuard will transition from a print publication to an e-mail newsletter starting January 2010, and will become one of the wing's primary communication tools.
December's VanGuard edition is the last print issue.
Traditional news media, like print newspapers, have been hit hard over the last few years by Internet technologies. Statistics show that Americans born after 1987 use the Internet as their primary source of information. These Americans are obtaining news and information where they want it, when they want it, and for free.
This way of consuming news and information has had an effect on the military as well.
New Air Force public affairs regulations now prohibit wings from funding base newspapers. The Air Force has also slashed public affairs manning since 2006. Shifting the focus away from layout and design of a print publication to news gathering for the web allows public affairs professionals to work more efficiently and keep internal and external audiences better informed. And, it's the "green" thing to do.
The new e-mail newsletter will be sent to home email addresses, and to .mil and commercial email addresses and the email will include links to stories and photos on the public wing web site.
If you haven't been there already, the wing has a public web site that is now constantly updated with photos, news and drill information. Anyone can visit
www.146aw.ang.af.mil from home or on base. The site features the same type of articles and photos that have been featured in the Vanguard and Base Happenings in years past.
Families should also go to
www.146aw.ang.af.mil for information - Family Programs will be maintaining a page under the "Resources" tab. All Family Readiness flyers will be posted on the page as well.
Most wing members will be automatically subscribed to the newsletter email, but not families. Family members are highly encouraged to subscribe to the newsletter by sending an email to
kimberly.holman@ang.af.mil. The Family Readiness folks will also reach out to families to ensure they subscribe to the email newsletter.
If you have questions or feedback regarding the new email newsletter, contact the 146th Airlift Wing public affairs office at 805-340-7301 or 805-986-7420.