Behind the Scenes: Multimedia shop captures Travis' essence

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Carranza
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Behind the Scenes is a recurring series featuring Airmen in units that have big impact, but low visibility.

Is a picture worth a 1,000 words? If so, then the Base Multimedia Service Center produces hundreds of thousands of words each month.

"Our top priority is customer service," said Dave Cushman, 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs BMSC manager. "We strive to provide the very best service possible to our customers in producing the products and services provided."

The center is a four-man team that falls under the Public Affairs office and supports Travis Air Force Base by supplying the mission with visual information in the form of photography and video projects.

"We accomplish on average 2,500 to 3,000 work orders a year," Cushman said. "That being said, the items created are in the range of 12,000 to 15,000 yearly."

Although the employees wear civilian attire, they are prior service and retired Airmen.

Not only do the individuals in the BMSC generate a vast quantity of products, they are recognized for their quality of output by taking first and second place in four categories of the 2013 Air Mobility Command Media Contest. Ken Wright won first place in both the AF Civilian of the Year and News Photography, Heide Couch won first place in Documentation Photography and T.C. Perkins won second place in Feature Photography categories, all three are 60th AMW PA BMSC photographers.

"What is interesting about my job as a photographer is that we are not limited to one specialization," Wright said. "Unlike photographers who tend to be specific to events or studio photography, we have the opportunity and capability to do more by providing portraits, passport, promotion and special duty photography."

Since the BMSC has a wide range of service capabilities, it has a priority system in place to determine the availability of its customer service. Priority I is emergency incidents requiring immediate response, such as major accidents. Priority II is mission-essential or urgent conditions requiring one to two days production time. Priority III is normal day-to-day mission requirements with a five-day turn around. Lastly, Priority IV is necessary routine requirements accomplished on a space-available basis completed normally in 10 to 15 working days.

"Plan ahead or as soon as you know that you need photography support," Cushman said. "Something as simple as an official photo needs an appointment, and they fill up fast."

To schedule an appointment call 424-5584.