Grand Forks AFB first AMC base to migrate to new network Published Dec. 18, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Christine Collier 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Grand Forks Air Force Base is poised to become the first base in Air Mobility Command, and the fifth base in the Air Force, to transition to the Air Force Network, a network developed to increase standardization, as well as provide easier access to e-mail and other core services. The migration, projected to begin Jan. 11, is scheduled to take approximately six weeks to complete. "In order to simplify and secure the operation of network services that are so critical to our mission, the Air Force is consolidating services that are duplicated in more than a dozen major command-unique networks around the globe," said Col. Don Shaffer, 319th Air Refueling Wing commander. The initiative, known as the Active Directory and Exchange Project, will collapse all MAJCOM-unique networks into a single Air Force Network accessible to Airmen from any Air Force duty station. "This is a massive undertaking for us, but with your help, patience and understanding, we will set the standard for all other wings to follow," Colonel Shaffer said. The most visible change to Airmen will be the creation of an e-mail account that will remain the same as Airmen move from duty station to duty station. Instead of an e-mail address that typically has followed the format of firstname.lastname@basename.af.mil and changes as Airmen move, a permanent e-mail will be made that will consist of firstname.lastname@us.af.mil. This new account will remain intact throughout an Airman's career. Other benefits to the ADX and AFNet transition include greater collaboration capabilities, an improved global address list and enhanced network and remote e-mail access. Network security will be improved, and there will also be a centralized help desk, the Enterprise Service Desk, which will assist users and address issues. During the transition, Airmen should be aware that wing personnel may drop from the global address list for up to seven days. To mitigate issues with this, a notification will be sent out Air Force-wide to inform personnel that longhand addressing must be used during this time to contact individuals at Grand Forks AFB. In addition, Airmen will have to reactivate their government-issued personal digital assistants, an action that will be incorporated into the migration process. Personnel who experience any issues during the migration are encouraged to contact the 319th Communications Squadron Help Desk at (701) 747-2666.