18th CS keeps Kadena connected

U.S. Air Force Airmen 1st Class Jason Doyle and Ben Ferson, 18th Communications Squadron client system technicians, replace hardware components in a computer on Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 10, 2012. As members of the 18th CS Operations Flight, Doyle and Ferson repair computers, set them up for first time use, install phones and computer programs, and troubleshoot computer and phone issues. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Tara A. Williamson)

18th CS keeps Kadena connected

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jason Doyle, 18th Communications Squadron client system technician, replaces hardware components in a computer on Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 10, 2012. The 18th CS is the second largest communications squadron in the Air Force, providing fixed and mobile communications for more than 24,000 people, six major commands, 29 tenant units, and joint services. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Tara A. Williamson)

18th CS keeps Kadena connected

A telephone circuit is organized to pinpoint phone areas throughout the base on Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 10, 2012. The Operations Flight makes sure roughly 22,000 personnel on base, including 22 partner units, have core communications, including computer and phone access. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Tara A. Williamson)

18th CS keeps Kadena connected

Published July 17, 2012
By Airman Tara A. Williamson
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- It's no small task to keep a building full of computers running smoothly.

Thanks to the 18th Communications Squadron's Operations Flight, more than 22,000 computers throughout the base are under their watchful eye; it's a 24/7 job.

The flight runs the Kadena Communications Focal Point, which takes trouble tickets and repair requests for the base, and divides them between the nearly 25 members of the flight.

"What we do for the base affects everyone from the general to the lowest ranking Airmen," explained Airman 1st Class Jason Doyle, 18th CS client system technician, as he took apart a computer in need of repair.

Flight members handle tickets that range from setting up computers for first time use and fixing hardware and software problems to performing telephone installations and managing Blackberry issues.

The Operations Flight handles an average of 150 trouble tickets a week.

"It's non-stop in here," said Staff Sgt. Michael Da gama, 18th CS client system technician supervisor, as he reviewed the day's finished trouble tickets.

As the second largest communications squadron in the Air Force, the 18th CS provides fixed and mobile communications for more than 24,000 people, six major commands, 29 tenant units and joint services.

"It's an awesome feeling to be able to solve problems for [customers]," Doyle said. "After working with the customer and troubleshooting for sometimes hours, finding out what was wrong and fixing it is always a victory."