23d CS Airmen keep busy
By Senior Airman Eileen Meier, 23d Wing Public Affairs
/ Published September 21, 2012
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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Gustavo Perez, 23d Communications Squadron, disassembles a computer at a workbench Aug. 30, 2012, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. There are many different squadrons that support the Air Force’s communication mission, such as asset management, vulnerability reduction, troubleshooting everyday computer problems and providing base personnel communication through Land Mobile Radios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eileen Meier/Released)
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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cheranda Bowie, 23d Communications Squadron, operates a forklift to move new computer equipment into the 23d CS inventory garage Aug. 30, 2012, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. Bowie takes care of incoming purchases and keeps accountability of Moody’s communication equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eileen Meier/Released)
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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cheranda Bowie, 23d Communications Squadron, scans inventory to keep track of incoming purchases and overall base communication equipment Aug. 30, 2012, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. Keeping accountability of government property is crucial to the Moody mission and ensures money isn’t wasted replacing lost items. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eileen Meier/Released)
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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Pierre Hutchins, 23d Communications Squadron, programs an XTS-5000 Land Mobile Radio for base personnel use Aug. 30, 2012, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. Newer radios such as the APX-7,000 LMR (yellow handle) are typically distributed to members of the 23d Security Forces Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eileen Meier/Released)
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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Andrea Luikart, 23d Communications Squadron, downloads new software to a customer’s personal computer Aug. 30, 2012, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. Updates such as these ensures all computers are in top shape to support the Moody mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eileen Meier/Released)
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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Gustavo Perez, 23d Communications Squadron, looks at work order tickets submitted by base personnel for computer assistance Aug. 30, 2012, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. Although a seemingly simple task, the 23d CS takes in a lot of responsibility, receiving 500 to600 tickets a week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eileen Meier/Released)
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --
What may seem like an insignificant computer malfunction to one person may be a tedious task for Airmen at the 23d Communications Squadron.
In a typical week, the 23d CS will receive 500 to 600 communications request forms by email, not including phone calls asking how to put in a request and create remedy tickets for each one. Customer's computers are serviced in the order the request forms are submitted, some taking much longer than others depending on the problem.
"We sometimes receive 50 to 300 computers a week to fix, with an estimated 14,400 a year," said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Gustavo Perez, 23d CS client service technician.
With technology constantly innovating, the 23d CS has their hands full every day with client's computers requiring the latest upgrades.
"One of the most challenging parts of my job is the constant change we have in our operating systems, for example, the transition from Windows Vista to Windows 7," said Perez. "Everyone's PC needs to be upgraded."
In a back room of the 23d CS are tables of computers, some disassembled with wires spilling out over dislodged hard drives, others still in the process of a problem being diagnosed. Troubleshooting PC problems involves creative insight and most importantly, teamwork.
"Everyone in our shop has a unique area of expertise," said Perez. "Whether they learned it before the Air Force, during training or through-out their career, we communicate with each other if something can't be fixed. If we have to, we'll call the manufacturer, or just use a search engine to find the problem."
With the CS being our source of help for the most miniscule to the utmost important of problems, they are rarely without pending tasks. Things like receiving new inventory and disposing of the old are jobs of their own.
"In our career field we route everyone through to different parts of the communication squadron, we are also computer, radio, and phone technicians if we are not working at the help desk," said Airman 1st Class Erick Wickstrom, 23d CS client service technician.
"If something isn't working on base, communication wise, it could affect the mission or even stop it."
Some Airmen require licenses to operate fork-lifts or top secret security clearances to handle information going through the secret internet protocol router network. Together they fulfill their part in the Moody mission.
"We train and deploy combat communication, to implement and sustain C4I systems for expeditionary Air Bases worldwide." said Perez. "The squadron directs operations, maintenance, and planning of the network control center, radar, meteorological and navigational aids."
The 23d CS is only a phone call away when their services are needed, sometimes a lot more than other days.
"There are aspects of my job that I do like, and aspects that I don't like," said Wickstrom, "but we are a help desk, and customer service will always remain a priority to us."