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the Museum with 100 Mbps symmetrical Dedicated Internet Access — a huge
upgrade from the 6 Mbps service from the previous provider.”
Boring Under the Interstate
Extensive underground construction was needed to connect the Museum with
the Great Plains Communications fiber network. Explains Bob Marksmeier, OSP
Field Engineer, “Start to finish, the project took us roughly two weeks, which was
an accelerated pace to meet the Museum’s deadline. The most challenging part
was making a 1,000-foot bore underneath Interstate 80 through limestone and
sandstone rock, which is not an easy task.”
Dr. Mike McGinnis, Brig. Gen. (Ret), is Executive Director of the Strategic Air &
Space Museum. He greatly appreciates the construction work done by Great Plains
Communications and the benefits the new Internet service brings to the Museum.
A Successful Partnership Takes Flight
Says McGinnis, “As a result of Great Plains Communications’ Dedicated Internet
Access, employees of the Strategic Air & Space Museum are now able to work
more efficiently and effectively. In addition, our guests have much better Wi-Fi
connectivity, which greatly improves their experience while visiting the Museum.
The increased speed and improved performance of our Internet service will also
enable us to successfully host more large events, with assurance that attendees
will be able to stay connected on their mobile devices.”
In a place filled with aircraft and spacecraft, fast speeds seem right at home.
Museum to Change
Name During 2016
On June 25, 2015, the Strategic Air & Space
Museum announced a decision by its Board of
Directors to change its name to “Strategic Air
Command & Aerospace Museum.”
This decision came about from a process involv-
ing many months of community engagement
feedback. When Executive Director, Dr. Mike
McGinnis, joined the Museum in January of
2014, one of his top priorities was to develop
a five-year plan. The plan consisted of three
strategic initiatives: (1) preserve the history
of Strategic Air Command (SAC); (2) develop
and deliver STEM education to K-12 groups;
and (3) upgrade the museum’s appearance
and facilities.
According to McGinnis, “The new name
reflects the Museum’s vision to offer guests
the opportunity to learn about the history
of Strategic Air Command and to experience
the science of air and space flight.”
Once legal work is completed to officially
change its name, the Museum will begin
replacing signage and develop a new website.
The current plan is to unveil the Museum’s
new logo sometime in the spring of 2016.
As a result of Great Plains Communications’ Dedicated Internet
Access, employees of the Strategic Air & Space Museum are now
able to work more efficiently and effectively.”
—
DR. MIKE MCGINNIS
,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC AIR & SPACE MUSEUM