Airmen encouraged to share accomplishments through Hometown News Release program

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  American servicemembers can share their accomplishments with friends and family back home by completing a Hometown News Release (Department of Defense Form 2266), which can be found by following a link on the bottom right hand column of RAF Mildenhall's Web site, www.mildenhall.af.mil.

Once the form is completed, click the "submit" button, and it will be forwarded to the 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. It will then be reviewed to ensure all necessary information has been provided, and once approved, it is then sent to the Joint Hometown News Service in San Antonio.

From there, the office will send out news releases to commercial media outlets in individuals' hometowns.

"Having a link to the form on the base Web site speeds up the process for people, rather than them having to wait for the form to be sent to them," said Karen Brown, 100th ARW Public Affairs Hometown News Release coordinator. "Airmen can complete and send us the form for any official or newsworthy items pertaining to their career."

The military person completing the form can also attach photos relating to the newsworthy item, such as photos taken by the squadron at a medal presentation or re-enlistment. If an article has been written by the public affairs office, and/or photos have been taken by one of PA's official photographers, those will also be used to send electronically with the form to San Antonio.

The JHNS sends out a variety of media products - video, radio and print news releases, print or photo feature releases, and holiday greetings messages.

The Hometown News Release Program is a commanders' program, administered by public affairs offices, according to the JHNS fact sheet. It provides commanders worldwide with a quick, simple way to showcase the accomplishments and activities of their Airmen.

According to the fact sheet, more than 8,718 commercial newspapers subscribe to free Hometown News Service, reaching hometowns in all 50 states and U.S. territories, with a potential readership of more than 200 million.

"We know our folks are doing great things, but the program provides a great opportunity to let their friends and family back home know about the good things they're doing every day in the Air Force," said Master. Sgt. Charles Tubbs, 100th ARW Public Affairs chief of media relations. "Things they can be recognized for include promotions, reenlistments and other accomplishments or awards they may have received. It's important to them and it's important to Mom back home."