SCHRIEVER SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Having served in both the U.S. Air Force and Space Force for a total of three years, U.S. Space Force Spc. 4 James Brown, 50th Communications Squadron client systems technician, has been stationed at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, since September 2021, with the duty of activating and troubleshooting government issued mobile phones to ensure effective, efficient communication across the USSF.
Brown’s squadron, the 50th CS, operates, maintains and defends the national space enterprise, Schriever SFB and the warfighters’ critical missions throughout both space and cyberspace.
“Everyone, from the stand-by phone technician all the way up to Col. Warakomski [Peterson-Schriever Garrison commander], needs immediate communication channels to ensure the garrison is mission-ready,” said Brown. “Regardless of rank or title, every person I assist benefits by maintaining contact with their people.”
Brown’s contributions have greatly reinforced the Peterson-Schriever Garrison mission in numerous ways.
“As a client systems technician in the 50th Communications Squadron, Brown’s computer administrator prowess provides communications equipment service, supporting mission defense operations for over 8,000 joint warfighters and 12 geographically separated units,” said U.S. Space Force Sgt. Anthony Galasso, 50th CS client systems section chief. “While providing this support, he continues to fortify network policies, adhering to crucial guidelines to safeguard the Schriever satellite system.”
During his primary years, Brown and his brother were homeschooled by his mother, who served in the U.S. Army. His father, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, worked as a school teacher. Brown grew up in Houston, Texas, but moved to Waco to take classes at a technical college. He later worked in the small town of West, Texas, where he worked as the network administrator for that school district.
“I was very blessed to grow up in a household that supported my enthusiasm for information technology,” said Brown.
In addition, Brown was a lifeguard, a camp counselor for the Boy Scouts of America, an audio-visual technician, and he volunteered with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Wanting to get out of Texas, and fascinated by space exploration, Brown’s desire to be a part of an aerospace division within the U.S. Air Force grew. He joined in December 2018, a year before the USSF was founded.
“The Air Force took one look at my IT background and said, ‘We've got a perfect spot for you,’” said Brown. “My first duty assignment was at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. It was very hot and had lots of potential distractions, but the workload was enough to keep me focused.”
After returning from a six-month deployment to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Brown transferred to the Space Force with orders to be stationed at Schriever SFB.
“As a supervisor, what I appreciate most about specialist Brown is his constant strive for excellence, professional demeanor and humble attitude,” said Galasso.
“He has exceeded his rank in leadership, mentorship and technical expertise — creating a shining example that can be used to motivate,” continued Galasso. “An interaction with him not only fixes your technical issues but also brightens your day — with his respectable nature and contagious laughter. One look at the amount of thank you letters he has received, and anyone can see the caliber of Guardian that specialist Brown is.”
When it comes to his work, Brown enjoys correcting problems: “It's so satisfying to say, ‘Is there anything else I can do to help?’” That means I’ve fully satisfied the requirements needed for the mission.”
Brown sought to be a part of aerospace and he has already achieved that. When asked what his future goals are, he said:
“I’d like to do a low-orbit simulation of weightlessness; that’d be perfect. I'm the first in my family to really do something new. Even though my parents were in the military, the objectives of Space Force are new really, really new. You cannot be afraid of what might happen, if you have the potential to succeed. You can only trust in what you think is the best way forward, and learn to live with your actions. Don’t let the fear of the unknown disrupt potential for success.”