Whiteman sees another network upgrade

  • Published
  • By Thomas Stock
  • 509th Communications Squadron
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The information highway throughout the base is getting even faster, with improved security.

More than 20 contractors and DOD civilians will arrive this month to begin the process of burying new fiber-optic cables and installing new equipment.

More than 120 military facilities will be upgraded. That seems like a lot of work for such a short period of time, but by summer's end 4,780 connections will have been touched and tested.

This is an enormous undertaking for the combat information transport system program office, but certainly one that has always provided outstanding results. Key engineers from Tinker Air Force Base and the 509th Communications Squadron have teamed in this effort as well--an effort that has taken almost a year in planning before getting this far.

What's being delivered is a hardy new network, capable of carrying high-speed communications ten-times faster in some places, and even faster in others. Faster delivery provides our flyers, maintainers, loaders, planners and support elements the ability to make "Global Reach" easier. Global communications capabilities are growing fast, while the Whiteman missions move with it!

Over the summer months, Whiteman users will hear from our project team about the dates when each building system will be upgraded. Downtime for the day-time user is will be very short, if it happens at all. Larger areas in key facilities will lose service for longer periods, but those will be scheduled for work during the weekends or after duty hours. A lot of coordination will have to be done in order to work around our many mission duties, so count on hearing more from us later on.

A tentative schedule will be published each week once project work begins. We'll show what work is underway, and what is being planned for the following weeks. A special email address will also be available so concerns may be addressed directly. Leaving no stone unturned, the 509th will work hard to meet your needs.

If you have any questions or planning concerns, the 509th Communications Squadron will address them as quickly as possible. Send your questions to citsupgrade@whiteman.af.mil, or call the Comm Focal Point at 687-COMM (687-2666).