Keesler first base to migrate to new network Published May 13, 2009 81st Communications Squadron KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The day is coming when Air Force personnel will no longer need to pack up their e-mail, contacts, tasks, calendars and files every time they move from one base to another. Keesler is the first base to migrate from its current network into the new Air Force Network. "This migration is a part of the Air Force communications community's effort to improve all active duty, reserve and guard members' access to information," said Lt. Col. Ray "Skip" Adams, 81st Communications Squadron commander. "We're exploiting previously underused enterprise technologies and processes to get the most from our limited resources." The Keesler migration begins May 26 and is estimated to take 45 days. The Air Force-wide migration is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2010. The migration brings individual and corporate benefits, squadron officials noted. "New Airmen will leave basic military training with an Air Force account they'll own and use for their entire career," explained Chief Master Sgt. Christina Kurt, network operations section chief. "Air Force personnel will begin to use their standardized first.last.#@us.af.mil e-mail address created a few years ago. They'll access their information from any Air Force location that has completed the migration. Members who go on temporary duty, make a permanent change of station or deploy will no longer wait for an account to be created." Chief Kurt said mailbox limits will increase based upon user category: Category 1 (1GB) - senior decision makers and corresponding organizational mailboxes. Category 2 (500MB) - essential support personnel and corresponding organizational mailboxes. Category 3 (100MB) - standard users and corresponding organizational mailboxes. Keesler will continue to use the consolidated computer support administration concept as the first line of user support until a new Air Force Enterprise IT Service Desk is fully operational. The ESD will eventually assist users with all their communication issues. "Corporately, the Air Force will be able to centrally manage and secure the network with the latest technologies," Capt. Cieara Carson, network operations officer in charge, pointed out. "Previous cost-prohibitive tools will be available to improve information availability as well as reduce the time required to patch computer systems and eliminate potential vulnerabilities." "Every unit will be notified prior to its migration and will be asked to follow a few simple steps to help ensure success," said Julie Noakley, the squadron's network operations engineer. "The migration won't be pain free, particularly because Keesler is leading the way in the Air Force with this exciting migration, but every effort will be made to reduce operation impacts. "Individually, users may drop from the global address list for up to seven days," Ms. Noakley continued. "This allows accounts to replicate across the Air Force, but it should not affect the functionality of your e-mail. You'll still be able to send and receive e-mail with your current e-mail address. "There'll be notification sent out Air Force-wide announcing the migration, so users on other bases will be made aware of the situation and still be able to reach you, even though they might not be able to see your name in the global address list," she added. "Although there are challenges, the benefits are great," Colonel Adams stressed. "The AFNet will provide improved information availability, greater flexibility and ease of management of the network enterprise."