Final issue of the MISSILEER

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Today's paper will be the last issue of the Missileer.

Due to manning cuts and the changing communications environment, the wing is changing its focus to more web-based communications, including social media, according to Mr. Brad Swezey, chief of 45th Space Wing Public Affairs.

"We lost the manning for doing the paper about five years ago when bases across the Air Force moved away from printed copies produced by wing public affairs offices," said Mr. Swezey. "Because of our demographics we printed for a longer period of time; now, most people get their news online and through social media."

For example, from Sept. 1 through Sept. 22, the Patrick Air Force Base website had 33,368 visits. The wing's Facebook page has grown to more than 2,700 followers, reaching almost 10,000 people in the past week alone.

Recognizing that some people still get their news in a printed product, Florida Today, the long-time publisher, will be doing a weekly product called Shark Pride. It will contain news from the wing and other military sources, as well as their own news sources.

They are expecting their first edition to come out Oct. 5 and will be available at all the locations where the Missileer is currently delivered.

People interested in being up-to-speed on what is happening at the wing can follow the wing online at www.patrick.af.mil. They can like the www.facebook.com/45spacewing page and can also follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/45thspacewing.