Network access arrives in Panther Hall

NIPR Cafe

Lance Cpl. Kennedy Herrick, Combat Logistics Battalion Co. A administration clerk, enjoys the new gaming systems installed in Panther Hall June 19, 2015, at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. A new Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router café has been built for Panther Hall members so they can have secure Internet access in the dorm. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Luke W. Nowakowski/Released)

NIPR Cafe

Team Buckley residents of Panther Hall enjoy the new Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router Café June 19, 2015, at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. The NIPR Café has been built for Panther Hall members so they can have secure Internet access in the dorm. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Luke W. Nowakowski/Released)

NIPR Cafe

Senior Airman Nicholas Heaton, 460th Space Wing network administrator, uses the new computers installed in Panther Hall to check his email June 19, 2015, at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. A new Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router café has been built for Panther Hall members so they can have secure internet access in the dorm. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Luke W. Nowakowski/Released)

Published June 19, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Luke W. Nowakowski
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- As promised, computers with access to the base network and gaming systems were installed in the lobby of Panther Hall for dorm residents to enjoy June 17 at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo.

Leadership, the 460th Civil Engineer Squadron and the 460th Communications Squadron, got together to provide Panther Hall with this new entertainment area.

"It is something that has been on the residents' radar for as long as I have been in the position," said Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Riley, Airman Dorm Leader.

Panther Hall residents now have access to computers that are connected to the base network, allowing them to access work related items without having to go into their work centers.

"Many of our residents are on crew," said Senior Airman Chelsea Thompson, 2nd Space Warning Squadron missile management planner. "This allows them easy access to the always-changing schedules. It also allows them to read their emails to ensure that they are caught up with everything else happening on base so that they can stay active in participation on their off days."

Tangible signs such as dorm renovation, computers with network access and the purchase of gaming systems along with games, show that base leadership is making an effort to make the dorms more sociable.

"It's a quality of life initiative," Riley said. "We've done a lot of things over the past couple of weeks to improve life for these guys. We're working very hard to do everything we can to improve the overall quality of life for dorm residents."