Final graduation starts new chapter for cyber transport maintainer careers Published Feb. 17, 2010 338th Training Squadron Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. -- Friday, the 338th Training Squadron's cyber transport training flight graduated the last nine network infrastructure systems apprentice course students, Air Force Specialty Code 2E2X1, beginning a new chapter for the 3D1X2 cyber transport maintainers. The 2E2X1 career field dates back more 50 years. The computer maintenance career field originated in 1959 as the 305X4 electronics computer and switching systems Air Force specialty. At that time, the career field's primary role was the installation and maintenance of large scale computer main frames typically known as "Big Iron," a term that originally referred to the massive cabinets that housed the central processing unit and main memory of early computers. Later the term was used to distinguish high-end commercial machines from less powerful units. Most large computer system architectures were firmly established in the 1960s. In 1980, Keesler Technical Training Center evaluated training programs that subsequently brought on the merger of the electronic switching systems repair AFS, 362X2, with the electronic computer systems, 305X4 AFS. Personnel in the 305X4 career field became responsible for inspecting, installing, troubleshooting, repairing, overhauling and modifying high-speed, general-purpose and special electronic computer and switching systems, including transmission, processing and display equipment. The mission of the 305X4 AFS remained steady until mid-1994 when the 3 series maintenance personnel AFSs converted into the 2 series, changing the career field to the 2E2X1 AFSC, which was complimented by three shred-outs. A-shred personnel maintained modular control equipment. B-shred personnel maintained airborne computer systems, including the E-3A airborne warning and control system. C-shred personnel maintained strategic automated command and control systems and missile control communication systems. D-shred personnel focused on joint surveillance systems maintenance, but later that identifier was only awarded to Air National Guard personnel. As the times changed, so did the career field, evolving from old mainframe systems maintenance to working network infrastructure, small computer maintenance and even cryptographic systems. In 2001, the 2E2X1 and the 2E3X1 secure communications systems AFSCs merged to form the computer network cryptographic and switching systems career field. During this transition, all shred-outs were dropped, leaving the personnel intermixed and available for cross-utilization assignments across the Air Force. The only exception was the previous C-shred troops supporting the intercontinental ballistic missile bases in the northern tier. These personnel, because of their specific training and critical mission requirements, were coded and held at their existing bases an average of three additional years to ensure a smooth workload transition of the equipment to the 2M0X1 missile maintenance technicians. Between 2001 and 2009, the AFSC title changed two additional times. It first became computer network cryptographic systems and then transitioned to network infrastructure systems. In October 2009, the 2E2X1 AFSC was replaced by Cyber Transport, AFSC 3D1X2. The merger absorbed 3C2X1, 2E6X3, 2E1X2 and 2E2X1 personnel forming a new broad spectrum career field. Personnel entering the 3D1X2 career ladder must attend the information technology fundamentals course in the 332nd TRS, followed by the 338th Training Squadron's cyber transport course lasting 76 academic days. Upon completion of the cyber course, the graduate then proceeds to a 10- day Security Plus course in the 336th TRS. Upon satisfactory completion of these three courses, graduates are awarded the AFSC.