Air Force Network migration around the corner for JBER

  • Published
  • By 673d Communications Squadron News release
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  The Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Air Force network will soon become the next PACAF base to migrate its computer users into a "central" Air Force Network, or AFNet. During a seven-week period beginning April 30, technicians will begin migrating JBER AF network workstations, network users, and email into the AFNet.

The goal of this project is to collapse all "individual" or "stand-alone" Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard networks into the AFNet.

To the majority of JBER computer users, most of the changes will be transparent and should not cause any interruption to network access or normal day-to-day operations. For the Air Force, the migration represents a "major" change to how computer networks are managed.

Until now, major commands and various other Air Force organizations have been operating their own "independent" networks, consequently driving unique and unit specific requirements. During the years, this "county option" approach led to standardization and security problems, high operation and maintenance costs, and a lack of enterprise situational awareness. In short, there was no "single" organization or commander responsible for the network.

The AFNet migration project addresses these issues, and places Air Force cyber operations under the operational control of a single commander.

This approach will yield a significant improvement in the Air Force's ability to fight daily virus activity and malicious intrusion attempts.

Additionally, AFNet migrations will centralize services like email and data storage, significantly improving network security and standardization. Finally, operational and training costs will be reduced through the elimination of redundant systems and services.

So how will this affect users?
The most visible change will be in the format of a user's email address. The migration replaces the old first.last@elmendorf.af.mil e-mail address with a standard first.last@us.af.mil address. The new addresses will remain with users for the duration of their career, employment, or affiliation with the Air Force regardless of the base or organization assigned.

As more bases join the AFNet, Airmen will be able to login to their accounts from any AFNet base without requesting and creating an additional account. This will allow easy access to the network during deployments, and throughout temporary duty and change-of-station moves. Sites such as the Air Force Portal, Air Force Personnel Center and Defense Finance Accounting Service will also remain easily accessible regardless of duty location.

The transition
As JBER approaches its projected start date, a team of Air Force Network Integration Center, 690th Network Support Group, and 673d Communications Squadron technicians are busy preparing equipment and resources to facilitate the migration of almost 9,000 users.

To ensure a smooth transition to the AFNet, look for future 673d CS generated eAdvisories for additional migration related information, as well as base briefings and commanders call presentations.

For more information concerning JBER's AFNet migration, users can email the team at jberafnet.team@elmendorf.af.mil.