61 years of training for radio operators concludes at Keesler Published July 15, 2009 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- More than six decades of Keesler history draw to a close Tuesday as the last radio communications operations class in the 336th Training Squadron graduates. "The course has been taught at Keesler since 1948," said Tech. Sgt. Matthew Land, instructor supervisor. "This course has graduated about 15,000 students and employed more than 70 instructors -- that's about five instructors every five years." "We're merging into one of the three new career fields which will have a 3D Air Force Specialty Code prefix -- RF transmissions 3D1X3, cyber surety 3D0X3 or client systems 3D1X1," he explained. Sergeant Land said the duties of radio operators haven't changed that much over the years. They operate, deploy and sustain radio transmitters, receivers and ancillary equipment for line-of-sight, air-toground and satellite communications and provide multiple spectrum communications in fixed and tactical environments. These Airmen configure antenna and radio equipment for efficient operations, establish and maintain communications links with distant stations, operate terminal control consoles and monitor system performance indicators. They also implement operational directives and manage communications facilities and activities.