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News | Aug. 1, 2011

Exchange with Bahamas Defence Force highlights Social Media opportunities

By Capt. Dustin Hart NORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - Members of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command Public Affairs office hosted a Social Media exchange with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force at its base in Coral Harbour, The Bahamas, July 27-28.

The exchange was conducted as part of USNORTHCOM’s mission to promote security cooperation within North America.

During the two-day exchange, attendees from both nations discussed the strategy behind using Social Media as a public affairs tool, personal and professional experiences using different platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as how to develop an effective Social Media program.

“It was an honor to have the opportunity to share our social media strategies, tactics and experiences with the Defence Force personnel,” said Stacey Knott, NORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs Social Media specialist. “My goal was to provide an environment where they could perhaps learn from both our mistakes and successes. I'm excited to see how their new programs evolve.”

One of the RBDF attendees, Ablewoman Marine Monique Deveaux, said the exchange would help the Defence Force improve its PA operations.

“The exchange provided insight in how Social Media can be used as an asset to show our people how we ‘Guard our Heritage’ through a variety of missions,” she said.

The RBDF’s lead Public Affairs and Information/Technology officer, Sub Lieutenant Origin Deleveux, added that while Social Media has been used personally by many of the Defence Force members, the exchange demonstrated how he could use the platforms to expand the RBDF’s current operational and public affairs objectives.

“Social Media is not only relevant, but brings value to the things we want to achieve,” he said. “I believe there is now a greater appreciation for Social Media within the Defence Force. We can see the power of it and how it can help us achieve our objectives of promoting our image of excellence.”

By demonstrating how NORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs conducts its Social Media programs, Deleveux said the exchange provided the RBDF confidence in establishing its own programs.

“Knowing that NORAD and USNORTHCOM are already using these tools to help their Public Affairs efforts gives us confidence that these outlets can be used safely as a tool to get our news out to the public in a timely manner,” he said.