JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Leadership from Joint Base Langley-Eustis announced the release of a new mobile app called "JBLE," designed to make everything associated with Langley Air Force Base and Fort Eustis easily accessible with just a touch of a smartphone or tablet screen.
The free app, designed and managed by the 633rd Air Base Wing public affairs office and engineered by the U.S. Army's Combined Arms Support Command's Sustainment Center of Excellence Mobile team from Fort Lee supports more than 18,000 military personnel and 7,500 civilian employees, and is available for Apple iOS and Android-powered devices.
The app offers many features for both Langley and Fort Eustis. Some of the features include an interactive listing of JBLE services, information about JBLE units, news, an events calendar, a phone and address book, operating hours, websites, and the ability to make appointments at force support, medical, administrative and other organizations on both bases.
"We wanted an easy way for people to get the information they need," said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jason Brown, 633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs photojournalist and the app's lead designer. "The information on the app is [similar] to the traditional 'base guide' but with a modern flair."
Information located within this new app is not limited to just what happens on JBLE.
"Users can quickly find information for off-base hospitals and medical centers, local commerce, tourist attractions and even locations of neighboring military installations," said Brown, a native of Baltimore, Md. "It truly makes for a community-oriented mobile information experience."
Additionally, this app integrates all of JBLE's social media networks, bringing access to the JBLE website, Facebook page, JBLENews and JBLEStatus Twitter accounts, PinJBLE on Pinterest, JBLEGram on Instagram and JBLE-TV on Youtube.
"The app provides real-time status updates about each base's operating status, including weather delays, evacuations and closures, as determined by the JBLE commander," said Brown. "The weather preparedness section provides real-time weather forecasts for each installation, as well as helpful information about hurricane readiness, which is important to have on hand considering the region's susceptibility to tropical weather."
Users in crisis can use the quick-dial buttons on the app's homepage to rapidly dial Langley or Fort Eustis' Sexual Assault Hotlines, or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
With the app now available in both iOS and Android application stores, Brown said it will be reviewed routinely for accuracy, and will include future updates as more features become available.
"This is the first time this scope of information has been available [for JBLE] in one, easy to use application, available at the swipe of a finger using a smartphone or tablet," said Brown. "It is the beginning of the new way we communicate with our community."