Units can now check out cameras from communications squadron

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman James Bolinger
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  At the beginning of the fiscal year the 436th Communications Squadron Multi-media Center eliminated many services previously offered to base members.

This change in level of service was driven by an Air Force-wide reduction in contracted services and is the first step towards transforming the way the 436th CS delivers communication and information services.

Retirements, reenlistments and squadron changes of command are all services the base photographers used to provide.

Some relief, however, is being offered to Dover Team members. The Multi-media Center recently purchased several cameras and camcorders that units can check out to document official events.

"Any active-duty or DoD civilian can check out the equipment as long as it is for official purposes," said Master Sgt. Joseph Springfield, the center's quality assurance evaluator. "Official events include, squadron changes-of-command, retirements, high-level Air Force official visits and retirements. Although, squadron picnics and commanders' calls are also opportunities to put this equipment to use."

"Squadron changes-of-command are important events and are regularly printed in the 512th Airlift Wing magazine, the Liberty Press, as well as in the base newspaper, The Airlifter," said 1st Lt. Marnee A.C. Losurdo, 512th AW Public Affairs chief.

"The loss of multi-media photo support makes it imperative for unit public affairs representatives to shoot their own photos of important squadron events for submission to these publications," said Lieutenant Losurdo. "The equipment at the base Multi-media Center assists units in ensuring that their events are recognized through publication in the Liberty Press."

As the equipment is new, the multi-media shop intends to keep everything in tip-top shape.

"Requesters will fill out AF Forms 833 and 1297 (to check out equipment)," said Sergeant Springfield. "If the equipment comes back broken, then the customer is liable for its replacement."

To help avoid this issue the multi-media staff will provide general-use instructions before equipment leaves the shop, said Sergeant Springfield. Also, equipment - which is usually on a same-day, pick-up and return policy - can be kept overnight if prior approval is given.

This equipment adds a dynamic element to the services provided by the Multi-media Center, helping bring back a small piece of the services that were lost when the shop revised their contract Oct. 1.

For more information about services equipment check-out and photographic services provided, call the Multi-media Center at (302) 677-6569. (Tech. Sgt. Veronica A. Aceveda, 512th PA, contributed to this story.)

Multi-media Center photographic services
- Military operations preparation
- Site surveys, installation operation build-up
- Documentation of significant structures (entry gates, wing buildings,etc.)
- Facility construction, maintenance and damage assessments (aircraft, airfield)
- Material deficiency reports
- Alert documentation
- Aircraft ground mishaps
- Legal and criminal investigations
- Medical documentation, investigations
- Natural disaster documentation
- Key personnel recognition portraits
- Change of command ceremonies (wing level and above)
- Wing-level award ceremonies
- Wing-hosted VIP visits
- Public affairs imagery
- Studio support for passports, quarterly awards, special-duty applications