The computer doc’s are in!

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Every day the Air Force uses computers to complete its mission. From finance, personnel, medical and aircraft maintenance, almost every job uses a computer in some way.

The Client Support Systems Technicians at the 2nd Communications Squadron work tirelessly to ensure the 2nd Bomb Wing and its tenant units have the tools needed to do their jobs.

"We are the "hands-on" compliment to the Communications Focal Point when the computers, printers blackberry devices and land mobile radios on base run into problems," said Staff Sgt Gregory Green, 2 CS CST. "When the CFP can't fix the problem they call us to take a more in depth look. Sometimes the problems can be fixed at the customer's office. Other times we have to take the computer back to our shop and run more in-depth diagnostics."

Not only do the CST's work on existing computers, their office handles all of the new computers that the base receives.

"Our offices take new computers and loads them with all the software and necessities that are required by the Air Force then we provide them to the users," said Master Sgt. Raymond Merrow 2CS NCO in charge of assets management. "We monitor and track more than $27.2 million dollars worth of printers, computers, radios and other technology. We track everything from when it was purchased, warranties, the office it's located, and if the assets are due to be refreshed."

With more than 9,000 computers on base, the CST's have to ensure that all software have the proper security and anti-virus updates.

"We urge everyone on base to leave their computers turned on and logged off. If it's not on or locked the computer cannot install automatic updates, this could lead to virus infections or programs not working correctly," said Green. "Most times this can save a lot of calls to the CFP or the computer coming to us for an in-depth work-over."

From the famous blue screen of death, the disappearance of the "any key," to the unresponsive mouse these CST's keep Barksdale connected.