Helpdesk keeps Multi-National Division-North connected

Courtesy Photo | Staff Sergeant Duane Stewart, a Helpdesk supervisor with TFM, helps SPC. Tyson Shephard, left, a topographic analyst with TFM and Staff Sgt. Willie Strayhorn, right, a topographic non-commissioned officer in charge with TFM, with their computer problems, at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Nov. 7. (U.S. Army photo by Spc.. Michael Adams)  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE, IRAQ

11.09.2009

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division North East

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE, Iraq — Staff Sergeant Duane Stewart, a native of St. Louis, is one of the most popular individuals on the Task Force Marne headquarters staff. He's seen daily darting in and out of offices, talking to just about everyone in the Division-Main building. But those are not personal conversations. It's all about business.

Seven Soldiers, along with Staff Sgt. Stewart make up the G-6 Helpdesk team. "The face of G-6," is how Lt. Col. Maria Biank, the director for the task force G-6, communication cell, describes them.

She added there is a lot that goes on behind closed doors to ensure the division's computers are ready, but emphasized the face of G-6 is an integral part of the task force.

"On a daily basis, our customers rely on the Soldiers at the Helpdesk to keep their commuters operable and their network communications running," she said.

The crew works 12-hour shifts and Pfc. Edna Raynor, a Helpdesk technician with TFM, said her job is to assist users and other information management officers with troubleshooting computers, fixing problems with computers and putting computers on the network.

One grateful Soldier appreciates what the technical staff is capable of doing and how they've assisted her section during the transition of taking charge from the 25th Infantry Division.

"They've been very helpful," said Sgt. Shavenna Crumpton, administrative specialist for the TFM G-9 Civil Capacity Working Group. Crumpton is also the IMO for her section and said the Helpdesk empowers her to do her job by continuously funneling her pertinent troubleshooting tips and information."

Staff Sergeant Duane Stewart, the Helpdesk supervisor said the Soldiers who work in his section are the reason they are able to get the mission accomplished.

"My Soldiers are wonderful," he said. "They are very professional and competent in what they do. They interact with a lot of people and always maintain their military bearing. They have a great attitude."

It may be hard for onlookers to know how stressful the job is for these Soldiers because they rarely pass people in the hallways without giving them a pleasant greeting.

But Stewart acknowledged it wasn't an everyday task to image everyone's computer, or add all of the appropriate software to computers, the non-secure internet protocol router internet lines, secure protocol internet router lines and commercial lines available for the staff.

"My job can be difficult at times," he added. "But I enjoy what I do. I have great people working with me. [It's a tough job] but somebody's gotta do it."

Their job may be tough, but the outcome of their mission is essential to the success of Multi-National Division- North.

"The Helpdesk allows the MND- N staff to run smoothly," said Lt. Col Biank. "They have done an outstanding job. Going from the 25th Infantry Division domain to a Task Force Marne domain is a very complicated, tedious process. The help desk has done a great job of managing priorities, providing our customers with good customer service and they have done a very good job of interacting with the staff. That isn't my opinion, that is what the staff has told me."

• Date Taken: 11.09.2009
• Date Posted: 11.09.2009 15:40
• Story ID: 41318
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE, IQ