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directed the staff to produce a preliminary plan focusing on
employment of critical-low-density equipment.  A plan was
completed and briefed to the commanders very late on the 7th. The
plan was based generally on the axiom of senior to subordinate
communication responsibility.   At this stage in the planning,
axiornatic assumptions were required because of the limited
information available to the commander and his staff.

Force lists, geographical locations and actual missions of the
MAGTF elements were still in the embryonic phase.  Nevertheless,
GMF systems were planned to provide the primary connectivity for
the MAGTF headquarters to its MSEs.  G~C-2Ol systems were planned
to provide secondary connectivity to the MSEs and to link, as
required, other organizations in dispersed locations. Moreover,
initial GENSE~ record traffic for the MAGTF command element and
all MSE headquarters would be received via OUDIX and transmitted
via satellite FleetBroadcast utilizing the TSC-96.   Single
Channel radio was expected to play an critical role in the
initial stages until the multichannel systems were established.
~ealizing the large geographical separation of units that was
likely to occur in the desert, primary consideration and priority
for embark of single channel radio was given to high frequency
assets, AN/~aC-l38s   and AN/PRC-104s.

These plans, when implemented, provided the fundamental internal
MAGTF requirements.   Further, the plans for external connectivity
were beginning to take shape.   The battalion at this time had
already been informed by the MEF 0-6 that JOSE would provide
personnel and equipment for connectivity to CENTOOM headquarters
and telephone switching equipment within the MAGTF.   A TSC-93B
from JOSE was to be colocated with the MAGTF headquarters in
Saudi Arabia soon after being established and provide the
connectivity to CENTOOM.   At the same time, JOSE was to provide a
TTC-39A for internal MAGTF switching and to service telephone
trunking to CENTOOM.

However, a time lag was expected between the arrival of the first
elements of the MAGTF and the arrival of those two suites of
equipment and personnel.   Telephone switching and external
connectivity had to be accomplished during~that lag.   For
telephone service,  it was decided that, an SB-36l4 would be
employed initially to service telephone subscribers and that
commercial telephone systems with STU-III instruments would be
utilized to the greatest extent possible.   Moreover, single
channel satellite radio would provide another means of
connectivity to the senior headquarters.

Once the initial communication planning was underway,  the
preparation for embarkation and movement began. The mission
called for an off-load of MPF shipping under the operational
control of CO 7th MEE at a major port in Saudi Arabia.   Following
the stand-up of 7th MEE in Saudi Arabia,  the battalion had to
prepare for a rapid buildup of forces including headquarters I
MEF compositing upon 7th MEB.   Consequently, the battalion

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