Civilian publisher takes over The Drop Zone production Published Nov. 20, 2006 By Senior Airman Tim Bazar 314th Airlift Wing Strategic Information Flight LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- Customers submitting information to The Drop Zone may notice a few changes, as responsibility of The Drop Zone base newspaper has changed hands to Leader Publishing. The 314th Airlift Wing Strategic Information Flight (formerly Public Affairs and Multimedia) has undergone changes to improve the quality of production and streamline the base newspaper in line with Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiative and Air Force guidelines. This is the first time in 50 years of Little Rock Air Force Base newspaper production that civilians will make editorial decisions for the published product. While base reporters will still produce news, sports, commentary and feature articles and take official or news photographs, however the focus on news delivery has switched from a paper product to online delivery. The Leader is now the responsible party for all Drop Zone issues, questions and submissions including: Newsbriefs - retirement announcements; hours of operation changes; upcoming base events, celebrations or happenings; community events, celebrations or happenings; private organization events and updates; etc. (please call 982-9421 or email dropzonenews@arkansasleader.com) Advertising - retail advertising; free/paid classifieds (send 25 words or less to dropzone@arkansasleader.com, or call 982-9421) The 314th Airlift Wing Strategic Information Flight is still the base's one-stop-shop for: News stories; sports stories; news photos; features - including photo, mission and people features; commentary and perspective articles; official photography (some assignments may require an AF Form 833). Base Airmen, Department of Defense employees, retirees, spouses or dependants with an exciting or interesting story to tell; a change in their day-to-day business; new products/services/buildings/training projects; annual-, command- or Air Force-level or higher awards; or any other newsworthy event can contact us at 501-987-5855, 987-6744 or 987-3601, or send us an email at thenews@littlerock.af.mil. A new public-news website, www.littlerock.af.mil, is going live soon and will provide Airmen with up-to-the-minute news about Little Rock AFB. The new site will be similar to www.af.mil. For more information on the new process, please call 501-987-5855 (DSN 731-5855) or visit http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123031095.