Giving service members radio, television, morale: AFN

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Stuart
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  For more than 50 years, American Forces Network has been a bridge between America and Germany bringing entertainment and news to the service members and their families throughout the KMC.

AFN Kaiserslautern has been providing service to military members since 1954 while bringing with them a taste of home.

"We're not just putting out valuable command information for the public, we're also letting people know what's going on in the immediate area," said Senior Airman Ben Burgess, AFN Kaiserslautern broadcast producer. "We provide a form of entertainment similar to what you would find back home in the states."

Airmen stationed overseas usually do not have an American source to give them radio and television, Burgess stated, but AFN bridges that gap.

"In the states you're going to have a radio station that plays all of your favorite hits and favorite music," said Burgess. "This is our way of giving that to you here, while in between songs we'll let you know what's going on and what fun stuff you can get into."

AFN Kaiserslautern consists of Airmen and soldiers working together to inform and update a multi-service community on the things happening around them.

"I love communicating and interacting with the public," said Senior Airman Eli Smith, AFN Kaiserslautern broadcaster producer. "I get to talk to a lot of people on a daily basis. I also love doing live events in the area and working with the community."

While entertaining service members within the KMC is enjoyable for AFN, the team is also the fastest form of informing the public in case of an emergency.

"We're able to reach a lot of people at once whether it's an emergency situation or if there's [hazardous] road conditions," said Smith. "We are able to provide people with information in an instant way, right then and there."

Broadcasting to a community of more than 50,000 on its airways, AFN delivers a piece of home.