ACC successfully completes BlackBerry to Apple migration

by Lt. Col. Joseph Terrones
ACC Communications Directorate

10/24/2014 - Langley AFB, Va.  -- Earlier this year AFSPC announced an Air Force desire to migrate from Blackberry devices to a secure smart phone solution for the Air Force. Air Combat Command led the way and has now successfully migrating 100% of its 3500+ BlackBerry users to Apple (iOS) devices.

"It is a huge win for ACC and the Air Force," said Mr. Robert McQuade, Chief of Plans and Resources for ACC's Communications Directorate.  ACC enabled Apple devices with protected access to NIPRNet e-mail, calendar, contacts, tasks and documents.  Additionally, by employing the Corporately Owned, Personally Enabled (COPE) model, ACC opened the gateway to a wide range of commercially available productivity applications that significantly expand mobile capabilities.

ACC deploys applications in a containerized environment that enables secure editing and storage of a variety of Microsoft Office and Adobe files. Although this capability is currently limited to the iPad, it gives the user a compact mobile platform to view and edit documents and briefings anywhere, anytime. ACC currently utilizes Good Technology for Enterprise mobile device management. The application resides on servers at two area processing centers and is co-located with ACC email servers.

"Not only have we given ACC users a device that will improve productivity, we've provided a platform that will unleash the innovation of Airmen and mobile capabilities," said Brigadier General David Uhrich, ACC's Communications Director. ACC worked closely with cellular service providers to obtain discounted service plans, special iPhone pricing, and account incentives that eliminated migration costs. Air Force mobile service vendors continue to be supportive and have extended their offers Air Force wide.