Spotlight: Sasebo American Forces Network










If you only pay attention to the commercials in between the American Forces Network (AFN) programming it would seem like the folks responsible for broadcasting command information are a bunch of yo-yo’s.

Thankfully that is not the case. AFN’s responsibilities encompass a wide range of operations that are founded in one basic principal. That is to disseminate command information to the local community and the world.

They accomplish this by providing content to hubs like All Hands which is broadcast all over the world.

News and command information is provided to the Sasebo community in the form of streaming video on the Commander, Naval Installation Command Web site and the AFN Sasebo Facebook page where you can also view streaming video audio clips.

This is no small task, even for one of the most productive AFN detachments in the world.

On a normal work week they produce 10 video and radio stories plus a new bi-monthly episode of the award-winning “Kyushu Explorer.”

Another aspect of AFN is the jobs of the Interior Communication Specialists who maintain all the camera, computer and other equipment.

One Mass Communication Specialist will plan, shoot, narrate, edit and produce a news story from scratch whereas in the civilian world there are typically different positions for each of those steps.

So the next time you are complaining about goofy commercials that make you long to hear, “I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance,” remember that it is their tireless efforts that make it possible for all of us to enjoy the same quality programming that our counterparts enjoy back in the United States.

—Fast Facts—

“Thunder Radio News” was named best radio newscast by 2008 CHINFO Merit awards.

“Sasebo Nightly News” was named best TV newscast. by 2008 CHINFO Merit awards.

“Kyushu Explorer” was named best TV Informational program by 2008 CHINFO Merit awards.