Innovation at Laughlin knows no limits

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sara Csurilla
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  With the Air Force continuing to hurdle into the age of technology, one non-commissioned officer at Laughlin Air Force Base followed suit and developed a new weapons system in the form of desktop computers, laptops and mobile devices.

Tech. Sgt. James Phipps, 47th Installation Support Squadron (Provisional), created a system that allows the user to receive classified information via remote server without using a traditional hard-drive making the device unclassified when shut down.

After conjuring up the idea, Tech. Sgt. James Phipps, teamed up with Dell Computers and spent nearly an entire year developing and coordinating to become the first in the Department of Defense to create the "Thin Client Solution."

The system comprised of three computers and a control panel is located in the 434th Fighter Training Squadron and has been utilized since April.

"Having multiple computers set up allows students simultaneous access to the same information, and given our current and projected student class size, this will more than ensure the 434th provides cutting edge study material and systems to the next generation of fighter pilots," said Capt. Elliot Nelsen, 434th FTS.

The system also provides several other benefits, including ease of use.

With the new system, one communication technician can repair multiple computers from a single location, eliminating the need for them to travel to multiple locations to fix a problem, saving the Air Force time, manpower and money.

As with any system, there are some drawbacks.

"Its strength is also its weakness," said Captain Nelsen. "Having no memory on the system allows us to keep it on the desktop after work hours, but if the server goes down, and without a hard-drive, the computer is useless. Thus the reliance on our capable communication squadron folks to keep it up and running."

Regardless of any minuscule weakness, the benefits are believed to outweigh them tremendously.

"Primarily, it offers our students access to online classified documents they don't have access to at other Undergraduate Pilot Training bases," said Captain Nelsen. "It reduces demand for bulky, expensive paper copies of our tactics, techniques and procedures manuals, and alleviates demand for the limited space we have in our secure classified space."

An innovative NCO, the ISS(P), the 434th FTS and the entire Laughlin community continue to make help the Air Force continue to be a step above the rest by advancing into the modern world of technology and continuing to improve ways to complete the mission, boost morale in the workplace and even save our Air Force money.

"XLers have and always will continue to find new approaches to doing business and even though we are small we still see the bigger picture and present to the Air Force its future leaders, organizations, and systems," said Sergeant Phipps.

One can only wonder: what will they come up with next?