Dormitory Airmen now have cable options Published Jan. 26, 2010 By Meaghan Horan 460th Space Wing Public Affairs BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Anyone who has experienced it knows that living in dormitories of any kind lack certain amenities. For Airmen living in the dormitories at Buckley, the lack of quality cable television had become a quality-of-life issue - one that base enlisted leadership was quick to tackle after being made aware of the problem. "A concerted effort was made between the dorm residents, senior enlisted leaders, first sergeants and the 460th Civil Engineer, Space Communications and Contracting Squadrons to find the best way forward on this project," said Chief Master Sgt. Arleen Heath, 460th Space Wing command chief. After dormitory residents told Chief Heath about their lack of options, she tasked her team with finding better service for the Airmen. "As always, we must make every effort possible to care for our military members and to address their concerns that impact their quality of life," Chief Heath explained. Until this project kicked off, the only non-network TV option for Airmen was by satellite, but the existing system didn't support the network for every room. Senior Airmen Joshua Snook, 460th SCS, explained how the existing system was unreliable, which led to many residents spending money on a service they didn't always receive. In order to improve the cable service throughout the dormitories the decision was made to discontinue the existing service and install new satellite receivers to help provide better quality cable to the resident Airmen. The $160,000 project should be completed and available this month, Airman Snook said. According to Airmen Snook, the company Serco provided access to satellites, receivers for residents to receive cable TV, but the involvement of the Air Force in the Airmen actually getting cable in their dormitory room ended there. Residents can now choose between DirecTV and Dish Network for cable and each individual resident gets to make their own choice on what they want in their room. The cost depends on which company and what type of package Airmen choose, just as in an off base residence. If a resident isn't interested in cable however, the new satellite receivers make it possible to receive all local channels free of cost.