28th CS Controlled testing

Airman 1st Class Brandon Payne, 28th Communications Squadron cyber transport technician, checks wire connections of the internet protocol television server during testing in the new deployment center at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Oct. 29, 2012. The testing consisted of the main power source being turned off in order to assess proper generator operation for continuous network support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anania Tekurio/Released)

28th CS Controlled testing

Senior Airman Brock Metscher, 28th Communications Squadron network controls technician, enters data into a network server during a controlled power outage at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Oct. 29, 2012. The intent of the controlled power outage is to reveal which network systems are not supported by either uninterruptable power supplies or a building generator in the event of a power failure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anania Tekurio/Released)

Communicators, engineers team up to test network sustainability

Published Nov. 7, 2012
By Airman Ashley J. Woolridge
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Airmen from the 28th Communications Squadron and 28th Civil Engineer Squadron joined forces Oct. 29, to ensure the base's network remained unphased in the event of a power outage.

Facilities housing key aspects of the base's mission underwent a barrage of tests to determine how well their systems could handle a loss of power or interrupted services.

"The intent of this controlled power outage was to reveal which network systems are not supported by either uninterruptable power supplies or a building generator in the event of a power failure," said Airman 1st Class Brandon Payne, 28th CS cyber transport systems technician.

While Airmen from the 28th CES power production flight cut off the power, connectivity was remotely monitored on a virtual network map. Payne was on-site to help monitor equipment and inform the power production technicians about any equipment failures.

Staff Sgt. Abigail Philbrick, 28th CS cyber transport systems supervisor, who monitored and documented equipment during the staged power outage, said the areas in question are vital to continued operations for the base.

She said the test could not have been accomplished were it not for the hard work of electricians who were on hand to help, as well as 28th CS cyber transport technicians like Payne.

Payne added that the exercise revealed a few points of failure that were quickly remedied, ensuring operations like those conducted by the 432nd Attack Squadron will happen without any issues.

"Now that the test has been performed, all critical points of failure can be arranged to stay operational at all times," Payne said. "Without question, multi-million dollar assets depend on the base network."