4th CS is Wired up, Fired up!

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kenneth Boyton
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Technology is wonderful … when it works.

Thankfully, the 4th Communications Squadron ensures all the computers on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base are in good working order to support the 4th Fighter Wing’s mission to provide dominant Strike Eagle airpower … Anytime, anywhere.

Airman 1st Class Joshua Burton, 4th CS client services technician, is one of the members who safeguards the integrity of the base network.

“We work with anything and everything that involves computers; hardware, software, printers and other PC accessories,” said Burton.

Besides working on simple programs like Windows 7, the 4th CS Client System Center Airmen work on programs used to detect the weather, track aircraft, and more.

One of the programs the CSC maintain is used to order critical parts supporting the 4th Fighter Wing. Without the program being fully operational, work centers would not be able to order necessary parts at the speed the flying mission requires. If this system fails, it would negatively impact the flying mission.

Burton recalled the work he and his team accomplished in response to a major weather event in October 2016.

“During Hurricane Matthew, the 335th Fighter Squadron’s building was flooded and every PC saw its demise,” said Burton. “At the time, the 335th FS were deployed, but were on their way back shortly.”

CSC replaced 20 computers in less than two weeks, making sure all machines had the necessary programs and security in place. Within a total of five weeks, 100 percent of the computers were replaced, ensuring the Chiefs were able to execute their mission and ultimately restored maximum readiness to the 4th FW.

Staff Sgt. Jennifer Collins, 4th CS client services technician, commented on the newest development on base.

“We’ve been in the process of migrating every computer on base to a new Windows 10 operating system,” Collins said.

According to Burton, every computer on base will be replaced with a new computer running Windows 10 by February 2018. Each new PC will go through initial maintenance to certify all security procedures are followed and all programs are installed.

In addition to CSC’s usual workload of 40-60 trouble tickets, they work on 100 new Windows 10 computers each week. As of July 18, 2017, more than 950 computers have been replaced on base.

“It’s a fast paced environment, and we always need to be at the top of our game,” said Burton. “Computer issues can happen at any time, and we will always be here to fix it when they do.”

After all, “No Comm, No Bomb!”