What does the 374th Communications Squadron do?

Holds services for telephone, cable, and computer maintenance, as well as multimedia and publishing.

What’s your squadron job?

I troubleshoot computers, install hardware and software drivers and ensure the user’s workstation is in full working condition.

Did you like messing around with computers before this job?

Yes. A lot.

Did you request this assignment?

Yes. I love computers and fixing software/hardware issues on a customer’s workstation.

What do you like most about Japan?

The culture, technology and Japanese TV shows.

Got your personal computer tricked out?

Not quite. But it lets me run most computer games ...

Describe your dream computer system.

Custom built; +700-watt power supply, Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 CPU, 4GB DDR2 memory, 500GB Raptor X hard drive or higher, Blu-ray disc drive, surround sound speaker system, large wide-screen LCD monitor, and two GeForce 8800GTS 512MB video card in SLI mode.

Is there a computer gamers’ club at your base?

The Computer Users Group of Yokota (CUGY for short) has been around since 1990. Computer-related activity ranges from discussing new software or hardware to usual group gatherings for LAN parties. CUGY encourages anyone to join in for gaming and to learn more about computers. News and info can be found at www.cugy.net.

What’s a LAN party?

People bring their computers, connect them together in a LAN (local area network) and play multiplayer games through it. We throw a LAN party almost every Saturday in Yujo Community Center starting at 5:00 p.m.

Of what gamer accomplishment are you most proud?

Mastering the hardest enemy or hardest puzzle in a game and playing cooperative multiplayer games from start to finish with other players.

The best computer game?

Half-Life.

The toughest?

Nothing’s too hard for me.

If you’re ever not on a computer, either for work or gaming, where might you be found?

Shopping and looking around in AAFES BX Powerzone or similar store.

What do you hope is next for your Air Force career?

Probably teaching a class about various computer software and hardware concepts, how to troubleshoot computer issues and how to manage computers locally and over the network.

California gamer Michael Duarte once said, “A LAN party isn’t official until a circuit breaker blows.” True or false?

True.

Cesar Ocasio

Age: 23

Rank/service: Air Force Airman 1st Class

Base: Yokota Air Base, Japan

Job: Information management

Avocation: Gaming; building and repairing computers

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