News

Goodbye Air Pulse, hello Offutt Air Pulse

  • Published
  • By 55th Wing Public Affairs
After nearly 60 years, this issue of the Air Pulse is the last Air Force-produced newspaper for Offutt. Beginning June 5, base readers will see a slightly different look to the publication appearing on base newsstands as local publisher Bellevue Leader Co., continues the base newspaper tradition by producing the Offutt Air Pulse.

After conducting readership surveys, panel discussions and gathering information from the "field," the Air Force decided to focus its resources on delivering news online.

Transitioning to the Internet is in line with Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century, according to Brig. Gen. Michelle Johnson, former director of Air Force Public Affairs, in a letter to commanders.

"Now more than ever, the public affairs career field needs to leverage technology and focus on key audiences, rather than continuing what have become unsustainable legacy processes," General Johnson said in the letter.

"Web-based content provides a number of benefits, including allowing public affairs to re-focus the time spent on layout and design to more relevant and timely content. Material can be drafted, reviewed and posted the same day online vice the current average of four to nine days," she added.

Although many bases have completely lost base newspaper publications with the changes, Offutt will be able to continue the tradition in a slightly amended manner, thanks to the Bellevue Leader Co.

Public affairs has not lost its vital mission of telling the Air Force story, highlighting the accomplishments of Team Offutt members or keeping them informed, said Lt. Col. Deb Bertrand, 55th Wing chief of public affairs.

"This transition will allow us to do our mission more rapidly and effectively," she added.

Units members are encouraged to continue contacting public affairs with story ideas and photo opportunities that can be posted to the public Web site and, in turn, may appear in the Offutt Air Pulse.