CFP provides on-stop shopping for needs

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Gates | ALI BASE, Iraq -- Staff Sgt. Cidelia Hagan, 407th Expeditionary Communications Squadron communication focal point, checks through the kits given to people conducting post-attack reconnaissance during a recent inventory. (Photo by Master Sgt. Andrew Gates)  

ALI BASE, IRAQ

06.19.2006

Courtesy Story

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ALI BASE, Iraq -- In modern warfare, keeping good communication moving up and down the line can be a critical aspect to keeping the mission operating smoothly.

A team of experts within the 407th Expeditionary Communications Squadron provides one-stop service to customers with communication problems and requirements " getting the right people on the job to fix the issue quickly.

"The communication focal point acts as a maintenance operations center, help desk and Unit Control Center, as the situation dictates," said Master Sgt. Jeffery Steagall, 407th ECS communication focal point, or CFP, superintendent. "We track network, telephone and radio outages, and work with the appropriate people to ensure that leadership knows about those outages."

This one-stop shop drives the process to ensure that senior leader's communications requirements are met, he continued, and track down the talents needed to fix problems as they arise. But senior leaders, although a customer, are not the only focus for this team.

"We take care of everyone," said Sergeant Steagall. "When people are away from friends, families and loved ones, the computer is the avenue to reach them and stay in touch. When people come into work, they need their computers to be operational for the mission. In addition, it is vital for the health and morale of folks."

To ensure that crystal-clear or lightning-fast communication, the people in the CFP have their work cut out for them, Sergeant Steagall continued. Workers in the focal point are selected for their ability to think though various communications issues and respond appropriately and professionally.

"I have been impressed at the level of commitment and dedication of the entire 407th ECS in responding to our initial diagnoses," he said. "The first several weeks of the rotation, we received about 250-300 calls per day trying to work out bugs " as we have settled into more of a "battle-rhythm," the number of calls we receive now is somewhere around 150 per day. Every day presents unique challenges and you have to be prepared to think on your feet " it's the people who make our CFP succeed."

One of those people making the CFP succeed is Staff Sgt. Cidalia Hagan, deployed here from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.

"As a member of the CFP, I'm responsible for assisting unit client support administrators with computer issues they can't solve " I also create user accounts for classified and unclassified computer systems," she said. "It's a lot different from the job I do at my home station."

She enjoys the opportunity to shine in a high-profile job.

"My favorite part of the job is fixing something small on my end that results in a large resolution for my customer," she said. "It is a little challenging to work in a high visibility job, though " it leaves little room for mistakes."

Senior Airman Nathan Adams, deployed from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, agrees.

"I like to hear how something we maintain has directly impacted in mission in the war," he said. "It reassures us that everyone has a helping hand in the war effort. You have to stay cool under pressure in this job " a lot of information passes through here. You have to make sure you handle the big stuff without losing track of the little things as well."

Taking care of the wide variety of customers may leave some with the impression that the organization is just "following instructions," said Sergeant Steagall.

"We literally work with every unit on Ali and, though we may not give the customer everything they want, my people do care about their needs," said the sergeant. "We are very customer- and mission-focused. Our senior leadership also shares this spirit of caring towards our customer's needs " it's important for us to know our customer's needs are being met and how we provide them the service they require at the lowest level."

And, the people not only care about accomplishing the mission at Ali, they care about the overall mission in Iraq " helping bring democracy to the Iraqi people.

"I hope that one day the people in Iraq will be able to look back and see this point in their history in the same way that we see the American Revolution, as a new beginning," said Airman Adams.

Sergeant Hagan " a second-generation military member " agrees. "I'm excited to be here and it's even more exciting that I am able to help Iraq become a strong peaceful nation. My parents were here, fighting in the Gulf War, approximately 15 years ago. It's an honor for me to be here following in their footsteps."

• Date Taken: 06.19.2006
• Date Posted: 06.19.2006 14:13
• Story ID: 6857
• Location: ALI BASE, IQ