AF Instant Messenger offers Airmen real-time conversation

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Lynne Neveu
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Thanks to use a little-known Combat Care initiative, deployed Airmen and their family members and friends can now send instant messages to each other from wherever they have Internet access.

The Air Force recently implemented the "Friends and Family Instant Messenger" program, available through the Air Force Portal. Not only can Airmen communicate on work-related projects, but they can chat online with non-Air Force friends or family members.

“Air Force Instant Messaging is the hi-tech end of Combat Care,” said Gretchen Shannon, 48th Mission Support Squadron Family Support Center flight chief. “It allows families to reach across the miles in real time and have that connectivity.”

Instant messaging through the portal has been available for more than two years, but the chat was limited to Airmen and civilian employees. Now, Airmen sponsor friends or family onto the portal by entering their e-mail addresses into the system. The portal then generates e-mails inviting them to log on and get their own specially configured account. Airmen can register up to five people on the system, according to the Web site.

Friends or family members do not have the same access to the portal that Airmen have, but they will get limited access to the messenger.

“The program allows family members or friends a way to get an Air Force Portal account, but all they see is the instant messenger,” said Staff Sgt. Brian Scott, 48th Communications Squadron Information Assurance Flight .

Sergeant Scott reminds all AFIM users that any communication is still subject to Air Force Instruction 33-119, Air Force Messaging.

“The Air Force Portal and Instant Messaging system are Air Force assets and will be monitored,” he said. “Users of AFIM must refrain from inappropriate communication such as hacking discussions, mission sensitive and operations security information, and conversations of a sexual nature.”

Because the communication is .mil to .mil, it is closely controlled to alleviate any malicious software or viruses from being introduced, Sergeant Scott said. Chat on the portal is also encrypted to prevent anyone outside the network from tapping into a conversation.

Ms. Shannon said families benefit by being able to make a real-time connection. “Maintaining the closeness and communication helps relieve some of the anxiety, tension and frustration that are natural by-products of temporary separation from loved ones,” she said. “It is a win-win opportunity for everybody involved.”