Air Force Network migration coming to Arnold

  • Published
  • By Ken Robinson
  • AEDC Communications Branch
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  The Arnold AFB Unclassified Network (AUNet) computer users and computers will soon migrate into the centrally managed Air Force Network (AFNet).

As the Air Force continues to transform its cyber operations, the Air Force Network Integration Center and 24th Air Force have established a centralized user directory and e-mail service for all Air Force network users called AFNet.

The AFNet project goal is to collapse all individual and stand-alone Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard networks into a single network. For the Air Force, this migration represents a major change to how the computer networks are managed.

Until now, major commands and various other Air Force organizations have been operating their own independent networks that consequently added unique and unit specific maintenance requirements. Over the years, this approach lacked standards across the network resulting in high operation and maintenance costs and a lack of enterprise situational awareness. In short, there was no single organization or commander responsible for the entire network.

The AFNet migration project addresses these issues, and places Air Force cyber operations under the operational control of a single commander. This approach will yield a significant improvement in the Air Force's ability to globally fight daily virus activity and malicious intrusion attempts.

Additionally, AFNet migration will centralize services like email, Enterprise Information Management (SharePoint) data storage and help desk. Operational and training costs will be reduced through the elimination of redundant systems and services.

Over a period of 47 days beginning May 20, technicians will begin migrating AUNet connected Arnold workstations, network users and email into the AFNet. To the majority of Arnold network computer users, most of the changes will be transparent and should not cause an interruption to network access or normal day-to-day operations.

The most visible change to AUNET computer users will be the format of your email address. The migration replaces the first.last@arnold.af.mil email address with an Air Force standard first.last@us.af.mil address. The new address will remain with users for the duration of their career, employment, or affiliation with the Air Force, regardless of the base or organization assigned.

Email messages sent to the legacy first.last@arnold.af.mil address will be forwarded to your new email address until your separation from Arnold. As more bases join the AFNet, you will be able to login to your account from any AFNet base without requesting and creating an additional account. This will allow easy access to the Air Force network during deployments and throughout temporary duty and permanent change of station moves.

Sites such as the Air Force Portal, Air Force Personnel Center and Defense Finance Accounting Service, will remain easily accessible regardless of your duty location.

As the projected start date approaches, a team of the Air Force Network Integration Center, 690th Network Support Group and Arnold AFB Communications Branch technicians will be busy preparing equipment and resources to facilitate the migration.

To ensure a smooth transition to the AFNet, look for future user notification email messages with additional migration related information. For additional information call the AEDC/TSDI Communication focal point at 454-4459, or email Gena.McDonald@arnold.af.mil.