Laughlin XLer - Airman 1st Class Joshua Benn, 47th CS

Published Jan. 30, 2013
47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Job title and unit: 47th Communications Squadron client systems technician

Why he Xled: He led a catastrophic information loss recovery where he troubleshot with server administrators for 13 hours. He corrected the issue and sustained wing executive operations. He repaired a "high priority" Secure Internet Protocol Router Network outage and updated server settings that re-enabled command and control to wing leadership and instructor pilot mission planning. He brought military pay system back online and re-configured Defense Finance and Accounting System scanner that eliminated a two day delay and $35,000 in backlogged payments. He is a touch-screen laptop subject matter expert. He troubleshot and built continuity for new network system and upgraded senior leaders with latest technology. He remotely fixed the 47th Comptroller Squadron commander's laptop. He coordinated with Maxwell Air Force Base client system technician and restored squadrons reach back during three week finance course.

Hometown: Casa Grande, Ariz.

Family: Some are in Arizona and others are in Rhode Island.

Time at Laughlin: Almost one year and six months

Time in military/civil service: Nearing the two year mark

Greatest accomplishment: Helping to find a solution to SIPRNet email issues

Hobbies: Playing guitar and playing video games

Bad habit: Being pessimistic

Favorite movies: Limitless

If you could spend one hour with any person, who would it be and why: I would spend an hour with Joe Satriani. He could teach me a few things on the guitar, and then we could jam.