Public affairs, multimedia merge into 'one voice, one team'

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Tracie Adams
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Aviano's multimedia office will merge with Public Affairs Oct. 1, creating a combination of talents in an effort to better tell the Air Force story.  

The realignment of these two missions was set into motion in 2006 by an Air Force Chief of Staff directive. 

"The public affairs career field is on the leading edge of tremendous changes in our Air Force and we are actively charting the course for our future rather than letting circumstances dictate it for us," said Brig. Gen. Michelle Johnson, Director of Public Affairs. 

The local combination of capabilities reflects Air Force Public Affairs' vision to employ strategic communications in all Air Force operations. The revamped PA office exemplifies that strategic mindset in "one voice" information dissemination to both internal and external audiences. 

"We're implementing locally what's become the new standard for PA and multimedia offices across the Air Force," said Capt. Jennifer Ferrau, 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs chief. "We will echo the 'one team, one voice' concept, and as a collective band of communicators, we'll be better able to tell the Air Force story, inform our audiences and show the world what today's Air Force brings to the fight."
The multimedia office, currently attached to the 31st Communications Squadron, will combine the majority of its capabilities with that of PA, but customers need to be aware of a few changes.
Traditional public affairs capabilities, including reporting, photography and editing of the Vigileer and base Web site, facilitating positive media relations and bolstering community and host-nation relationships, will remain intact. However, some multimedia services will be reassigned in line with adjusted mission requirements and Air Force Smart Operations 21. 

"Each of the 31st Fighter Wing groups will be receiving self-help equipment from multimedia as it becomes available to turn over to them," said Tech. Sgt. Chad Gann, 31st FW multimedia manager. "This multimedia kit will include a presentation self-help kit consisting of a projector and screen, a photo self-help kit and a video self-help kit. All other photo support, including grip-and-grins presented by anyone other than the commander, vice commander or command chief, are the responsibility of the unit." 

Official portraits for special duty applications, chain of command photos, general officer portraits and group/wing quarterly/annual award winners will still be taken by PA photographers. Call 632-6008 to schedule an appointment. 

The most notable change will be the discontinuation of graphics services, as that career field has dissolved. From now on, all graphic services will be self-help or coordinated through the Defense Automation and Production Service. 

The merger is not only a grouping of personnel and equipment, but a shift in operational capability. As graphics professionals cross-train to other career fields, their multimedia brethren in videography will be transitioning to broadcasting, while traditional photographers will transition to the public affairs specialty. 

"Our communication capabilities as a wing will be enhanced with this merger," said Captain Ferrau. "The preemptive coordination between command, wing and unit leadership will ensure our customers continue to receive the high level of service and quality they're accustomed to."