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    CST keeps us connected

    CST keeps us connected

    Photo By Tech. Sgt. Michael Means | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darrell Fletcher, 380th Expeditionary Communications...... read more read more

    (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

    12.10.2013

    Story by Staff Sgt. Michael Means 

    380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

    UNDISCLOSED LOCATION - The U.S. Air Force’s mission is to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace. To achieve the Air Force mission it’s necessary to maintain fast and reliable communications.

    The 380th Expeditionary Communications Squadron client systems technicians help keep us connected to make sure the wing is able to complete the mission.

    The CST section is the face of the communications squadron, said 1st Lt. John Kingery, 380 ECS operations flight commander, who calls Ankeny, Iowa, home and is assigned here from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

    “Our CST technicians truly are cyber professionals and are critical to the mission,” said Kingery. “They serve as the region's premier cyber crisis response team for numerous mission platforms at locations throughout Southwest Asia.”

    The CST resolves critical communication outages and problems that affect real-time missions.

    “Whether it is problems with a computer's hardware, software or even peripherals, client service technicians are responsible for troubleshooting and repairing issues users may encounter,” said Tech. Sgt. Allan Bernarte, 380 ECS client systems noncommissioned officer in charge, deployed from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., who calls Long Beach, Calif., home.

    With everything today being automated, we rely heavily on computer systems, said Bernarte. Without the systems running smoothly, it is easy to get lost and the mission could come to a halt.

    CSTs are also responsible for managing user and organizational client device accounts providing access to everyone who needs it on base.

    “The contribution that the CST team has on the 380 AEW mission is huge,” said Bernarte. “We have a high operations tempo and are always moving to support each unit on base.

    When customers have issues with their computer systems they call the communications focal point.

    The CST section takes care of more than 600 trouble tickets a month, which they receive through the CFP.

    “There are a lot of moving parts to keep the network up and running and it is the CST's responsibility to ensure the users have everything they need to access the network ,” said Bernarte. “It's a total team effort when we are out to assist customers.

    CSTs receive tickets to fix anything from malfunctioning parts to setting up entire computer systems. They also work with other shops and specialties within the communications squadron to provide similar services.

    The communications squadrons have an old saying, “No comms… no bombs,” said Bernarte.

    “I enjoy knowing that our job had an impact on the mission,” said Bernarte. “All the communications tools we provide contribute to the warfighter and their mission.”

    “Whether it's a maintenance tool tracking system, logistics inventory database, or general network access; every unit has some system or program they depend on to complete their mission every day and we ensure they are maintained and in proper working condition to contribute to the success of the bases mission,” said Airman 1st Class Andre Barnes, who is deployed from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., and calls Red Cloud, Neb., home. “This deployment has been a rewarding experience.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 12.10.2013
    Date Posted: 12.16.2013 04:36
    Story ID: 118258
    Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)
    Hometown: ANKENY, IA, US
    Hometown: LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, VA, US
    Hometown: LONG BEACH, CA, US
    Hometown: MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, ND, US
    Hometown: RED CLOUD, NE, US
    Hometown: WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OH, US

    Web Views: 275
    Downloads: 2

    PUBLIC DOMAIN