Communications Airmen keep Misawa connected

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jordyn Fetter
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Client system technicians with the 35th Communications Squadron are skilled in a wide variety of electronic-related tasks stretching from installing analog phones to replacing hard drives on desktop computers.

Throughout the year, the tasks fluctuate as new products are bought and older items break.

When damaged items are brought in for repairs, the first step is reimaging a computer, which removes all software on a computer then reinstalls it. If the problem isn't resolved, the next step is to troubleshoot and possibly replace the hard drive, graphics card and random access memory.

As shops around the base purchase new products at the end of the fiscal year, computers, laptops and tablets filter through the 35th CS back shop for reimaging and connection to the network.

Client system technicians are required to understand both the Voice over Internet Protocol and analog systems. VoIP is established through the internet, and the analog system is through phone lines. At Misawa AB, analog systems are the most common and are worked on through punchboards located on the wall of buildings since they don't run through the internet.

Client systems technicians stay busy to ensure Misawa Air Base hardware and software functions at all times.