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File: 120396_sep96_decls1_0008.txt
Subject: AFTER ACTION REPORT ON EOD OPERATION DURING OPERATIONS DESER
Unit: 22D SUPCOM
Parent Organization: ARCENT
Box ID: BX005554
Folder Title: ARMY EOD IN DESERT STORM VOL 4 543 EOD TEAM EODCT
Document Number: 9
Folder SEQ #: 4
AN/VRC 46 -Family of radios. Distant communication between units
and their Controls are maintained with the AN/VRC 193 radio.
Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm brought a new
definition to the term "distant communications" within a combat
theater. The operations also saw a total break down in the
ability +or all types of Communications Army wide. Effected
most prevalent within the EOD field, however, was the ability to
communicate between the CP and unit teams. Because of the great
distances involved, even when operating from the centralized
mode of EDD support, teams were not able to maintain
communications in order to relay information, request support,
or be notified of additional incidents.
b. RATT rigs operated by signal units using AN/GRC 106
radios seemed to maintain the best communications outside of EOD
channels. With a front of nearly 350 miles and a operating
depth of 200-400 mileslong range communications became
imperative. Units with AN/VRC 193 radios were normally able to
maintain communications with their Controls though it was not
secure. I+ teams had possessed AN/VRC 193's they also would
have been able to maintain communications with their unit.
Serious consideration needs to be give on equipping unit teams
with long range secure radio systems.
C. Tremendous improvements and expense have gone into
equipping EOD units with many items which may rarely be used,
but if needed would improve safety or provide RSF' alternatives.
However, communication is a necessity at all times, especially
in a combat environment. The amateur and civilian communication
abilities seem to be far ahead of the military communication
systems available to the EOD field. Amateur radio operators
h video daily around the world on
equipment costing less than an AN/VRC 46 and rarely experience
the problems we +aced during this operation.
d. In the interim, however, standard communications between
EOD teams and their CP need to be the AN/VRC 19@ radio system.
6. Maintenance:
a. Problems:
1) EOD units historically do not maintain PLL stockage
+or vehicles authorized under their MTOE. They depend on
divisional maintenance organizations to order and maintain their
PLL.
2) In Operation Desert Shield/Storm EOD units were not
always assigned to the same divisional maintenance organization
during the entire operation. Upon initial start up +or
maintenance support, the maintenance activity did not have the
F'LL because it could not forecast an EDD unit being assigned
prior to deployment. It initially took approximately 60 days
for supplies to arrive in-country after dropping an order.
After PLL was established, the unit often moved to another
location
6
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Document 21 f:/Week-42/BX005554/ARMY EOD IN DESERT STORM VOL 4 543 EOD TEAM EODCT/after action report on eod operation during oper:11089615150943
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-42
Box ID = BX005554
Unit = 22D SUPCOM
Parent Organization = ARCENT
Folder Title = ARMY EOD IN DESERT STORM VOL 4 543 EOD TEAM EODCT
Folder Seq # = 4
Subject = AFTER ACTION REPORT ON EOD OPERATION DURING OPER
Document Seq # = 9
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 = 08-NOV-1996