Do you Tweet?

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jarad A. Denton
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  With the Air Force recently opening its doors to social media, many Airmen have begun exploring the virtual world of Twitter.

For many users, Twitter acts as a micro-blog - allowing people and organizations to stay up-to-date on current events, information and trends.

"For Ellsworth, the 28 BW Twitter page serves as an information hub for Airmen, their families and anyone else who may be interested in what's happening on base," said 1st Lt. Amy Neeves, 28th Bomb Wing public affairs chief. "It also allows us to connect with Airmen who may be moving to Ellsworth and welcome them to the area."

The 28thBombWing Twitter, which has been active for more than a month, has been supplemented by an Ellsworth Air Force Base Facebook page, YouTube and Flickr account. All of the social media outlets have been designed to expand and enhance our message to the public, said Lieutenant Neeves.

In addition to Ellsworth having its own social media network, the 28 BW leadership also actively participates in Twitter.

"It's important we work to communicate with our Airmen where they already are -- Facebook, Twitter, etc.," said Col. Jeffrey Taliaferro, 28 BW commander. "Social media is a great way for Airmen and their families to communicate with wing leadership, and with each other as a community."


As a previously untapped method of communication, Colonel Taliaferro encourages Ellsworth Airmen and their families to come to him with questions and concerns via social media.

"I encourage folks with questions to air them on my Facebook page -- you'll see folks get quick and direct answers," said Colonel Taliaferro.

In addition to Colonel Taliaferro's social media accounts, Colonel Steven Hiss, 28 BW vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Clifton Cole, 28 BW command chief, also have Twitter accounts.

"It has definitely been a new experience for me," said Chief Cole. "However, I find communication through Twitter very effective at delivering short bits of information in a timely manner."

With the increasing use of social media by the Air Force, Ellsworth Airmen are encouraged to check out the various sites within the 28 BW social media network.

"I'm growing with both Facebook and Twitter, but have found more of our Airmen active on Facebook--which has drawn me more to that medium," Colonel Taliaferro said.