Hanscom launches new mobile app

  • Published
  • By Sarah Olaciregui
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Want to know what events are going on at Hanscom? There's now an app for that.
 
The base recently launched a new mobile application, part of an Air Force-wide initiative, called My Military Communities or MyMC2. The app is a free download and is now available through both the Android Market and Apple's App Store.

Currently, six base organizations are loading their events to allow the Hanscom community to know what's going on right in the palm of their hand. Participants include the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Minuteman Commons, Patriot Golf Course, Youth Center, School Liaison Office, 66th Medical Squadron and Public Affairs. More organizations are expected to join in the coming weeks.

Developed by the 375th Communication Support Squadron web application development team at Scott AFB, Ill., the app pulls event listings from organizational Facebook pages that are officially associated with a base and consolidates them into one place.

The app opens up to a main page that lists the next five events available at each base. Users then have the option to narrow or expand their search by organizational or event type categories.

For example, if new residents were interested in connecting more with the Hanscom community, they could search using the word "community" and information about the A&FRC's Family Welcome on July 24 or their Newcomers' Public Transportation and City Orientation on July 25 would appear.

They could then click on either of those events, which would give more detailed descriptions, including times, locations and contact numbers. They could also click a button and have the event automatically added to the calendar on a mobile phone, call the organization or open the organization's Facebook or website right from the event posting. They could even touch a map icon which will open up a native GPS app program for directions to the event.

In addition, there are two quick-call buttons located on the app's home page. Users can select Base Directory to reach any organization on base or try the Public Affairs office.

The creation of the application was a result of the Scott AFB Community Action Information Board, according to an article posted on www.af.mil May 1. The CAIB was looking for ways to build resiliency in the Scott community when it realized that the base was already offering a rich array of services, but the problem was that people in need didn't know where to turn for help.

Col. Michael Hornitschek, 375th Air Mobility Wing commander, gathered a small group together for an AFSO21 problem solving event related to Comprehensive Airman Fitness issues and then tasked them to create a centralized place for people to go not only for events, but also for quick access to all the helping agencies on base.

According to the article, the app will be especially useful for newcomers and Airmen and their families can take it with them from base to base.

"It was developed for Air Force and Department of Defense-wide use, so if you move to a new base or travel somewhere for work, you could open this app and view the list of events for that base. It's ready for everybody," said Master Sgt. Delbert Freeborn, 375th CSPTS project manager in the article.

To download the app, users should open their smartphone app store and search "My Military Communities" or "MyMC2."