Who bears the responsibility for maintenance of the sustaining base portion of the Defense Information System Network?

The correct answer identifies that the responsibility for maintaining the sustaining base portion of the Defense Information System Network is with the service that owns the installation. This is rooted in the organizational structure of the military and related agencies, where specific services are tasked with the maintenance and operational readiness of their respective installations.

When an installation is owned by a particular service branch, that branch is accountable for the infrastructure and support systems at that location. This encompasses ensuring that the Defense Information System Network, which is critical for maintaining communication and operational capabilities, remains functional and up to date. Each service has established protocols and dedicated personnel to handle maintenance, support, and upgrades, which reinforces their operational effectiveness.

In contrast, while the Defense Information System Agency plays a critical role in overseeing and managing the larger system, the day-to-day maintenance duties and the responsibilities tied to specific installations fall to the owning service. Infrastructure technicians, although essential in executing maintenance tasks, operate under the guidance of the service branch, rather than being responsible for the broader aspects of network maintenance. Likewise, deployed warfighters do not have the responsibility of maintaining systems at base installations, focusing instead on operational duties during deployments.