Sheppard senior airman, Anderson native, provides client systems support for deployed group's command staff

Photo By Master Sgt. Jenifer Calhoun | Senior Airman Deana Neaves is a client systems journeyman with the 380th Expeditionary Mission Support Group at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia. Here she is pictured, May 5. She is deployed from the 82nd Communications Squadron at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, and her hometown is Anderson, S.C.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

06.09.2010

Story by Senior Airman Jenifer Calhoun 

380th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- In western South Carolina is Senior Airman Deana Neaves' hometown of Anderson. The city is named for Revolutionary War hero, Brig. Gen. Robert Anderson, who fought in numerous battles for America's independence.

It's possibly no surprise then that a native of Anderson has signed on to serve her country just as General Anderson had. Neaves said she joined the Air Force to make things better for herself and others.

"I joined the Air Force to make a better life for myself and since joining it has become much more than that," said Neaves, who is a client systems journeymen with the 380th Expeditionary Mission Support Group commander support staff.

Neaves, who is deployed from the 82nd Communications Squadron at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, provides client systems support and fulfills other additional duties in support of operations for the 380th EMSG commander.

As a client systems Airman, her official Air Force job description states Airmen like Airman Neaves "are the Air Force computer networking specialists." Client systems personnel like her are trained to deploy, sustain, troubleshoot and repair standard voice, data, video network and cryptographic client devices in fixed and deployed environments. They sustain and operate systems through effective troubleshooting, repair, and system performance analysis. They also manage client user accounts and organizational client device accounts.

In performing client-level information technology support functions, the job description states that she manages hardware and software, performs configuration, management and troubleshooting, and removes and replaces components and peripherals to restore system operation. She also installs and configures software operating systems and applications and provides service to end-users for operation, restoration and configuration of information systems.

In supporting client-level voice network functions, Airmen like Neaves can plan, schedule and implement installation and maintenance functions associated with voice systems, the career field job description shows. They also remove and replace telephone instruments and report security incidents and execute corrective security procedures. Neaves is also trained to manage similar functions with personal wireless communications systems.

Client systems Airmen like Neaves also perform a variety of management functions as well. The job description states they establishe work standards, methods and controls for preventative, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance actions. They also determine extent and economy of repair of malfunctioning equipment and ensure compliance with technical data, instructions and work standards.

Neaves can also develop and enforce safety standards, interpret malfunctions and prescribe corrective action. She can also manage, or perform, research and development projects for assigned systems and coordinate and document repairs.

Gaining skills as a client systems Airman has been important to her, Airman Neaves said. She said it's all a part of the reasons why she left Anderson and be a lot like the person the city was named after.

"I have met some incredible people and I have learned much from them," Airman Neaves said. "We're a big family [in the military] and each of us are a part of a larger picture. I serve now for the people and their freedoms."

The 380th EMSG is a sub-unit of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. The wing is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, air battle management, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

• Date Taken: 06.09.2010
• Date Posted: 06.09.2010 07:46
• Story ID: 51114
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)