Communication/Electronics

A.        Message Center.    All message center traffic continued to be transmitted, received, and reproduced by the Fourth Marine Regiment Communication Center.  There was no change in the pick-up and delivery schedule.  Authentication tables were distributed and used as required.  During this period the Battalion operated in a split Command Group, to more adequately control Operation 'Georgia Tar'.  One group was located at Fire Support Base Cates, and the other at Vandegrift Combat Base.  Daily courier flights were made to Cates to insure that the various staff embers had access to the daily message read board.  

B.        Radio.    A new Communication Operation Instructions (COI) was prepared and issued to all unit Commanders.  This COI contained all of the new call signs, frequencies, and 'M' designators required for use by the units within the Battalion.

            Voice radio provided the primary means of communication for both Command Groups and all Companies in the field.  The primary Command Elements of each section were located at FSB Cates, and their secondary counterparts were at Vandegrift.  A switchboard (SB-22) was established at FSB Cates which enabled the Battalion to communicate with all elements at the base via land line.

            The Company tasked with providing perimeter defense for FSB Cates used the AN/PRC-88 to communicate with each of its subordinate units on the perimeter.

            The KAC QAL 512 and KAC PZ-4 were used extensively during the month to pass classified information over the Battalion Tactical Nets.

            A radio relay site was established on Signal Hill to assist in communication with the Companies in the field when they moved into an area which prevented direct FM communications with the Alpha Command Group.

C.        Covered Circuits.    When the Command of the Battalion went to FSB Cates the AN/PRC-77 and KY-38 provided the Alpha Command Group with a cipher capability to the Regimental Headquarters.

D.        Wire.    A switchboard (SB-22) was installed on FSB Cates to provide telephone communication with the artillery batteries located on the hill, and all of the subordinate units of the Battalion. The wire operation at VCB remained unchanged and continued to be operated as it did last month.

E.        Maintenance.    The Communication Technical Repair Section continued to provide the Battalion with a second echelon repair capability.  A torque wrench (FSN 512-585-8434) was added to the calibration equipment.

F.        Equipment Repaired.    The total combat essential equipment deadlined and repaired is as listed below:

                                                    Item                                        D/L                Off D/L

                                             AN/PRC-25                                  42                     30

                                            AN/PRC-88                                   15                     13

                                            AN/PRC-41                                     2                        0

                                            AN/PRC-47                                   00                        3

                                            AN/PRC-39                                     0                       11

                                            TA-312 PT                                     12                         5

                                            TA-1/PT                                          20                      13

                                            EE-8                                               12                         6

                                            AN/PPS-6                                        4                         3

           Critical repair parts for this period were A10, FSN 5820-973-3588 and A16 FSN 5820-973-3599.

This page last corrected 8 September 2011