8TH TANK BN COMMAND CHRONOLOGY NOV 90 TO MAR 91 12 APR 91

File: 970107_aug96_decls2_0032.txt
Page: 0032
Total Pages: 60

Subject: 8TH TANK BN  COMMAND CHRONOLOGY NOV 90 TO MAR 91  12 APR 91     

Unit: 8TH TANK BN 

Parent Organization: 2 MARDIV    

Box  ID: BX600007

Folder Title: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH TANK BN 26 NOV - 31 MARCH 1991                                           

Document Number:          1

Folder Seq  #:          5





                                              UNCLASSIFIED


               Marine Regiment and communications with Division ceased while communications
               to Gth Marines were activated. Once again to support operations the comm
               platoon successfully maintained radio communications support for the Alpha
               Command and Bravo Command Combat Operations Center, the Logistics Operations
               Center, and the Field Operation Center during Operation Desert Shield. In
               order to support wire communications the wire section maintained three
               tactical automated switching systems to support the Combat Operations Center,
               the Logistics Operations Center, and the Field Operation Center during
               Operation Desert Shield. Liaison was made with the 6th Marine Communications
               Officer in order to discuss communication policy. On 23 January, the
               Battalion conducted a night movement.
                                          I Feb 1991 - 28 Feb 1991
                   During this time period emphasis was on maintaining and improving existing
               communications in order to provide command and control for the Battalion
               Commander, and to obtain essential operational guidance, intelligence updates,
               logistics flow, and administrative operations. Additionally Prior to Operation
               Desert Storm, the unit skillfully prepared and organized the Battalions
               communications equipment and personnel for the vital mission to include the
               design of the AAVC-7 command and control vehicle to support operational,
               intelligence and fire support links. In preparation for enemy electronic
               counter measures, the platoon effectively trained its personnel in electronic
               counter counter measures. Throughout Operation Desert Storm, SSgt Shawls
erational communications
               for the Battalion. Formally trained as a fifth echelon communications
               technician, SSgt Shaw expediently made repairs that would normally deadline
               equipment for several days. His efforts were directly responsible for the
               'continual high combat readiness status for communications equipment during
               Operation Desert Shield. Because of his expertise in his Military
               .Occupational Specialty, SSgt Shaw readily provided training and maintenance'
               assistance to other units within the 6th Marines to includel Combat Engineer
               Battalion, 2nd AAV Battalion, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, 4th Anglico, and lst
               Battalion, Bth Marines. In preparation for Desert Storm, the comm personnel
               .endured long arduous hours to ensure the Battalions Command and Control
               Vehicles, AAVC-7s were in peak operational status. Due to this consummate
               attention to detail in preparing the Battalions command and control systems@
               the Battalion continually exercised effective command and control
               communications during Operation Desert Storm. The net requirement for
               Operation Desert Storm was; Regimental Tac 1, Regimental Tac 2, Regimental Tac
               3, Regimental Intel, Regimental FSC, Regimental Command, Battalion Tac,
               Battalion Ad/Loq, Tactical Air Control Party Local, Tactical Air Direction,
               Tactical Air Request/Helo Request, Artillery Fire Direction, and Artillery
               Conduct of Fire. A total of P High Frequency (HF), I Ultra High Frequency
               (UHF), and 10 Very High Frequency (VHF) nets. On B-Day Communications in
               support of Combat operations were outstanding. The Alpha Command C-7 comm
               personnel included Capt Sole guarding Regimental Tac 1, LCpl Brophy guarding
 support nets, and LCpl Tantallo
               guarding TAR/HR. Net down time was minimal and seldom seen. No enemy ECM was
               encountered, however, due to a hot microphone, the Regimental Tac I frequency
               was changed to the Tac 2 net. The communications Staffs insistence an
               effective Ist echelon maintenance was a direct result of the limited equipment
               failure during combat offensive operations ensuring reliable command and
               control communications for the Battalion. Due to the fluid and rapid movement
               on the battlefield, PLRS support was non existent. On the evening of 24
               February, an Army vehicle strayed into an Iraqi minefield. Due to the
               .communications platoon organizational skills and personnels training, the


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                                              UNCLASSIFIED

Document 60 f:/Week-34/BX600007/COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH TANK BN 26 NOV - 31 MARCH 1991/8th tank bn command chronology nov 90 to mar 91:01029709504317
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-34
Box ID = BX600007
Unit = 8TH TANK BN
Parent Organization = 2 MARDIV
Folder Title = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH TANK BN 26 NOV - 31 MARCH 1991
Folder Seq # = 5
Subject = 8TH TANK BN COMMAND CHRONOLOGY NOV 90 TO MAR 91
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 02-JAN-1997