News

Computer support is their domain

  • Published
  • By Airman First Class Patrick Cabellon
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Client support administrators are key components for keeping the Air Force mission running smooth with their knowledge and training on computer hardware and software.
 
"We are diversified individuals," said Nena Wong, 446th Mission Support Squadron, CSA. "We walk a fine line between computers, administrators, and postal. The job varies from day to day, minute to minute," said Mrs. Wong. "We have to work with so many different types of computer programs." 

CSAs are more geared toward computer work because it is in higher demand, said Master Sgt. Mattie Monahan, 446th Mission Support Group, CSA. They are proficient at handling many computer-related problems, from tearing apart and rebuilding a whole computer, to program troubleshooting. 

CSAs are constantly installing peripherals and software, backing up critical system files, monitoring the efficiency of a workstation by finding and resolving system bottlenecks, assigning and maintaining user IDs and passwords, and ensuring user training is conducted, according to Sergeant Monahan. 

"There is always something to do, always someone to help," she said. 

Some tasks CSAs accomplish day in and day out can be daunting. 

"We got in 700 replacement computers come in," said Senior Master Sgt. Cindy Thomas, 446th AW CSA for the wing staff, 446th Aerospace Medicine Squadron and 446th Aeromedical Staging Squadron. "We had to replace all of the computer assets in the wing within two to three months." 

CSAs don't need to have any previous computer knowledge when breaking into the career field. Everything a CSA needs to know is studied at their technical school. Training is given to all wing CSAs to guarantee they are personally ready to deploy and know what to do in any situation while in the field. 

To become a certified CSA, one must pass the A+ certification with flying colors.
"The A+ certification shows that a CSA is a professional at what they do," said Airman 1st Class John Magno, 446th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, CSA. 

There are five full-time CSAs and the rest are traditional Reservists. 

"We are the experts, we are the ones that keep your computer operating smoothly," said Sergeant Thomas. "It's your job to use the programs and it's our job to make sure they run properly." 

If a CSA is not available to help when gremlins strike your computer, you can always seek assistance on the wing's SharePoint. 

Supportive documentation is at your fingertips. On the right hand side of the 446th Airlift Wing's SharePoint page is a link labeled "446 AW Computer Support and Self Help."