WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Air Force officials announced April 26 that Air Force Materiel Command is one of six Air Force commands to receive access to social media sites beginning May 1, with AFMC bases implementing the change at different times in the coming weeks.

This initiative comes as part of the service's two-week phased opening of access to social media sites Air Force-wide, which began April 26. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google apps are among the sites that will be accessible on government computers.

Providing access to social media sites from Air Force government computers meets the intent of Department of Defense Directive-Type Memorandum 09-026 - Responsible and Effective Use of Internet-based Capabilities, issued Feb. 25, 2010.

Command officials said that while using social media sites allows for broader communication with varying audiences, Air Force personnel should keep safety and security of the network foremost in their minds.

Various Air Force and DoD regulations provide guidance for Airmen using social media on government networks. Personal use of social media sites must be of reasonable duration and frequency as approved by supervisors and must not adversely affect performance of official duties, overburden systems or reflect adversely on the Air Force.

Air Force personnel cannot post any classified or sensitive information and must follow the guidelines for appropriate social media and Internet use. The inappropriate posting of information on the Air Force network and any OPSEC violations are punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.