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Fairchild senior airman, Larose native, manages communications support for Southwest Asia wing

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  When computer system trouble tickets come in to the 380th Expeditionary Communications Squadron at a non-disclosed base here, Senior Airman Matthew Glynn is one of the first people who will be out to ensure those systems are back in working order.

Airman Glynn is a client systems technician deployed from the 92nd Communications Squadron at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. He said his work in the communications squadron helps protect one of the Air Force's most critical assets in the computer systems.

"We serve as frontline support for all host computer user and computer network-related issues," Airman Glynn said.

According to his official Air Force job description, client systems personnel are the Air Force computer networking specialists. When they are deployed, they sustain, troubleshoot and repair standard voice, data, video network and cryptographic client devices. They sustain and operate systems through effective troubleshooting, repair and system performance analysis. They also manage client user accounts and organizational client device accounts.

"Every user on base has access to electronic mail, shared drives and other systems," Airman Glynn said. "It is the key element for users to communicate in and outside the host base, to other deployed bases and to U.S. bases. Computer systems are the key for everyone getting their deployed duties done."

The client system Airman maintains sizeable knowledge and skills in doing their work in the information technology field. In IT support, they manages hardware and software performing configuration, management and troubleshooting. They know how to remove and replace components and peripherals to restore systems operations and they can install and configure software operating systems and applications.

Furthermore, client systems Airmen like Airman Glynn manage client-level personal wireless communication systems with configuration management, maintenance and troubleshooting and developing plans, schedules and implementing functions associated with personal wireless systems. In all the systems the 380th ECS manages, Airman Glynn also ensures compliance with technical data, instructions and work standards and supports research and development projects for assigned systems.

A native of Larose, La., Airman Glynn said he joined the military looking for something that would challenge him and provide him with important skills. He said he's also proud to serve and to be deployed.

"I enjoy deploying because it breaks the monotony of being back at home station," Airman Glynn said. "It provides an opportunity to work with coalition forces and get a broad view of the specific events that are going on in the war zone.

"I personally love the Air Force," said Airman Glynn, who has served in the Air Force for more than four years. "There are very few jobs where you get to travel to places that we do. The people you meet and the places you go really make it worthwhile."

The 380th ECS is a sub-unit of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. The wing is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.