1st CMXS creates special maintenance team

***image1***The 1st Communications Maintenance Squadron has created U.S. Air Forces
in Europe’s first-ever Security System Special Maintenance Team to
perform intermediate-level maintenance on NATO security systems at 12
sites throughout the command, and provide depot-level support when
tasked.

The system requires the four-member team to provide maintenance on 970
pieces of equipment in the theater, and keeps them TDY for at least 100
days per year.

They also provide technical assistance and rapid emergency repairs when requested.

“I think that one of the best aspects of working on this Special
Maintenance Team is the opportunity to travel to NATO bases throughout
Europe where there is little or no American presence,” said Staff Sgt.
Dana Taylor-Kamara, 1st CMXS Visual Imagery and Intrusion Detection
Systems Craftsman. “But the biggest reward is working one-on-one with
representatives from the host nation and getting the job done.”

In 2005, the 1st CMXS Security Systems Maintenance Team facilitated a
$10 million equipment modernization project at eight locations,
ensuring system sustainability to 2018. A state-of-the-art voice
communications console and touchscreen Alarm Annunciator Console were
installed to aid security forces operators in quick alarm assessment
and evaluation of the situation.

During the past year, the work center has repaired 12 critical outages
at five active sites when the host unit required additional assistance
and expertise during major system faults.

The team is also responsible for all technical maintenance training for
communications-electronics security systems technicians throughout the
command. New communications security system technicians assigned to
USAFE attend a two-week training course provided by USAFE Computer
Systems Squadron and USAFE A4 Logistics Directorate and then by this
team. The training classes take place on Ramstein.

With their new and ongoing mission, the Security Systems SMT gets a
great sense of accomplishment knowing NATO’s priority assets are secure.