LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Front Line Warrior: Staff Sgt. Christopher Perkuhn
Deployed Unit: 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Afghanistan
Duty Title: NCOIC, Network Operations
Home Unit: Air Combat Command Communications Support Squadron
Hometown: Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Time in Service: Active duty Air Force eight years
Describe your deployed duty and the tools you use to accomplish it: I manage and maintain a $16 million network to provide communications to American warfighters at Kabul International Airport. I ensure all systems are up and operational 24/7 so users can have access to NIPR and SIPR resources (i.e. SharePoint, Email, Internet, Air Force Portal, and all other job specific software needed to ensure the safety of our troops). It is also my job to push and patch the computers and servers to keep the network safe from attacks and viruses and play the part of a Network Control Center Help Desk (answering phones and opening/closing trouble tickets). I have had to go outside the base a few times and with the attacks that happened here lately, I've had to use the skills learned at Combat Airman Skills Training to properly don my individual protective equipment and weapon. I am able to expertly accomplish everything I do and also manage my team thanks to the experience of good supervisors and jobs that pushed me to do something different constantly instead of doing the same thing day in and day out.
What do you bring to the fight? As most communicatiosn troops say, "No comm, no bombs!" I provide communications to our warfghters here. Without comms, our troops would be in the dark. Not only do we focus on the fight, but with network and computer access, we ensure the troops can communicate back to their loved ones and home station. It also enables them to access the AF Portal, where they can have access to their vMPF, finances, training records, and so much more.
What are your overall thoughts and opinions about your mission there? This job is the most rewarding job I've ever had. When I first got here and they told me I was replacing an master sergeant, a technical sergeant, and two staff sergeants, I had a feeling that I got off at the wrong airport. After two weeks of single-handedly running what seemed to be a whole Network Control Center, I found confidence that even I didn't know I had. Providing the tools to other units around the base that helps ensure the safety of our troops brings about a sense of accomplishment words cannot express. Lastly, knowing that units couldn't accomplish their mission without me makes me want to work harder.
Supervisor Comments: "Sergeant Perkuhn is a bright young staff sergeant that is going places. There is never a project I task him with that I ever have to worry about. Not only is he a mentor to those around him on the job, but he also leads PT sessions and keeps everyone motivated. When he's not working or working out, he helps raise money for a local orphanage here in Afghanistan. Just last week, he helped sort eight tons of mail. He is certainly an asset to my team here and if given the opportunity, I'll definitely seek him out in the future." - Senior Master Sgt. Michael Burton, 9 AETF-A Communications superintendent