PA, multimedia officially merge as one

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tim Beckham
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Public affairs and multimedia were once two separate entities but now share the same roof ... and mission.

A plan that has been in the works since November 2005 is now a reality at Davis-Monthan as the 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office and the 355th Communications Squadron multimedia shop officially united Oct. 1, to form the newly aligned 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office.

The change, which became standard across the Air Force, was initiated in order to better leverage its capabilities and provide timely, accurate and focused information to the public.

"The goal of strategic communication is to inform and appropriately influence key audiences by synchronizing and integrating our communication efforts," said Brig. Gen. Erv Lessel, director of Air Force communication. "Through this realignment, both multimedia and public affairs will be operationally aligned to help meet that goal."

Along with the change in title came a change in location as the public affairs multimedia shop has now co-located and will operate from the 355th Communications Squadron's original multimedia office.

"While we have always worked together on telling the Air Force story, we are now one team, one shop and one staff agency," said 2nd Lt. Mary Pekas, chief of Public Affairs at the 355th.

Although there was a change in location and in title for some, according to Senior Master Sgt. Michael Wheeler, 355th FW Public Affairs superintendent, there will be no change in customer service, support or the products provided.

"We have high standards for the quality of our products and the services we provide," Sergeant Wheeler said. "Now we have an increased capability and our customers here can expect those standards to go even higher."

Combining capabilities is an attempt to increase operational effectiveness and national and international understanding by improving communication to internal and external audiences.

"Our goal is to create a new capability for the Air Force, not just merge two career fields," said Chief Master Sgt. Ron Nelson, multimedia career field manager.

The new capability is ultimately a meshing of two closely-related communication disciplines.

"Both communities are in the business of telling stories, through pictures, words and video," added Chief Master Sgt. Janice Conner, public affairs career field manager. "This realignment will leverage the capabilities of Airmen from both multimedia and public affairs into one team focused on the operational mission of communicating to both internal and external audiences."

While all regular PA customer service functions will continue, people are reminded that the studio and passport functions of customer service in Public Affairs are open from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.