Wright-Patt unveils new public web page

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WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The public web page for one of the Air Force's largest and most diverse installations has a whole new look.

The new Wright-Patterson Air Force Base web page, www.wpafb.af.mil, is designed using a new standardized format being implemented Air Force wide. It's intended to make navigation by the general public much easier, said Derek Kaufman, a public affairs specialist with the 88th Air Base Wing, who serves as a site manager. Delivering frequently updated content that invites people back to see what's new is another key objective.

"The new Air Force Public Web format is focused on delivery of news and information of broad interest to our neighbors who would like to know more about their nation's Air Force," Kaufman said.

"It's specifically designed to be easier to navigate, with a similar look and feel to Air Force Link, the Air Force homepage. It also offers better security, with centrally hosted servers, reducing vulnerability to hackers and those trying to find an entrance to Air Force networks."

Kaufman said preparations to identify content to migrate from the base's existing web site began in October 2006. The base's newly designed web page went live early Jan. 26 after final testing of links was complete.

The new web page is focused on providing value-added public information. Noticeably absent are fancy animations and other "bells and whistles." The number of pages and links was significantly reduced after a review revealed considerable content from the old web site was geared more for the convenience of military members and base employees than of interest to the general public. That information is being moved to other internal Air Force "Intranet" sites or the Air Force Portal, which requires a login and password.

Links to familiarize newcomers and their families to Wright-Patterson and the Miami Valley remain prominently placed on the opening page.

"This is a work in progress and we fully plan future refinements," Kaufman said, noting this is only the first spiral of development and there are plans to migrate additional content into the new format.