Dormitory Airmen get connected

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Briana Jones
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Airmen now have the capability to surf the internet from their own dormitories thanks to the recent installation of wireless internet in all of the Aviano dormitory common areas.

Getting reliable internet access in the dormitories was an effort made by the 31st Fighter Wing to improve the quality of life for the Airmen living there.

"Internet in the dorms is a huge help to me; I can just go upstairs to talk to my family or to check or sign up for online classes," said Airman 1st Class Kearra Felton, 31st Munitions Squadron conventional maintenance crew member. "This should show Airmen that our leadership is listening and even though these may be hard times they are doing what they can."

"Internet in the dorms makes the transition easier for new Airmen and also keeps them connected to the social life they had before Aviano," said Col. Brian Pukall, 31st Mission Support Group commander. "Leadership across the wing really does have the Airmen's best interest at heart and that's why we pushed to get this in place."

The 31st Contracting, Civil Engineer and Communications squadrons worked hand-in-hand to ensure the installation was completed flawlessly.

Airmen from these squadrons all had different tasks to ensure the internet was installed in a timely manner. The tasks were a combination of communicating between the squadrons and Italian contractors while Airmen from the 31st CONS created and manages the contract.

"31 CS were the technical advisors for the writing of the statement of work for the installation of the Wi-Fi system. We also provided the necessary fiber patches, conduit space and technical advice along the way," said Tony Spaid, 31st Communications Squadron plans and resources flight director. "It's like what I have at home it is a high speed connection, Airmen should have no problem accessing it."

The internet is not monitored, but Airmen are encouraged to be careful while surfing the internet. Airmen should also be aware that the connection will slow if too many people are using the internet simultaneously. The Wi-Fi is "unsecured" meaning that Airmen do not need a password to connect. When Airmen look to join the connection they should look for a link that says "dorm guest" and then connect to it.

"The connection is really fast and easy to join," said Felton. "It makes surfing the internet that much easier and convenient"