Base ECOs recognized for most improved in AFRC Published June 3, 2013 By James Branch 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- In many cases, a unit's effectiveness and mission readiness relies on its ability to maintain its inventory and keep it current. Base level Equipment Control Officers manage unit Information Technology Equipment Custodians, act as the liaisons between major command ECOs and their home station, oversee and manage the base inventory program, and ensure all annual unit IT inventories are completed and signed off by the wing commander before the required deadline. "Dobbins' ITEC inventory compliance went from last fiscal year's 61 percent to 100 percent, the largest improvement in Air Force Reserve Command," said Bernard Parkinson, 94th Communications Squadron IT specialist and primary base ECO. "We oversee 122 ITECs, managing 65 accounts base-wide." According to Air Force Instruction 33- 112, Computer Systems Management, all unit IT equipment is required to be inventoried annually. "Annual inventories are required for two reasons," said Mario Manera, IT specialist and alternate ECO. "One, to ensure government property is accounted for, especially computers, because they may have official and privacy act data stored on the hard drives. Second, to get an accurate count of all base computers, monitors, and printers that must to be replaced, or tech refreshed." "The government typically pays $500 to $1,000 for a computer," said Manera. "Some high-end computers can cost as much as $4,000. A lost or missing computer is not only the loss of an expensive piece of equipment, but it may contain data that could, if lost, compromise security." With so much invested in IT assets by AFRC, base ECOs stress the importance of ITECs knowing when their unit's equipment is due to be tech refreshed. "Computers are based on four-year lifecycles, because that's when their extended warranties usually expire," said Manera. "Monitors are on a five-year lifecycle and printers, a six-year lifecycle. AFRC usually purchases replacement computers in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. We are tasked to perform our annual inventories the end of the second quarter, so the number of computers that need replacing can be calculated and purchased during the third quarter." "We were able to improve our program this year by notifying the ITECs to begin their inventories in January, the beginning of the second quarter," he added. "Since we are a reserve base, the majority of our computer users only report for duty once a month. That gave the ITECs three months to complete their inventories. During those three months, we sent recurring e-mails reminding them of the deadline." With 100 percent inventory compliance achieved, the ECOs advise ITECs not to wait until the required dates, but perform frequent inventories to help ensure the whereabouts of their assets at all times. "Stay on top of your inventories," said Parkinson. "Always know the whereabouts of your inventory assets. Use AF Form 1297 hand receipts to sign out equipment. Promote user awareness within your unit. Have users know to inform the ITEC when their equipment is moved around, malfunctioning, needs replacing and use it for official use only." ITEC Training is required within 30 days of appointment, and annually thereafter. Electronic Powerpoint Slides are available for ITECs to review and a 50 question test is required to show proof they reviewed the slides and to help ensure they know the program and their responsibilities as an ITEC. "In addition to 100 percent compliance on our annual inventory, Dobbins also achieved 98 percent ITEC training compliance," said Manera.
