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File: 082696_d50038_007.txtprimary means of communication both internal and external to the MAGTF. Bravo Company rapidly installed single channel HF, VHF I and UHF satellite circuits that provided connectivity for 7th leMEB to the rapidly building ACE and GCE. Further, UHF single I channel satellite communications was initially the only link to I CENTCOM in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia other than commercial telephone. As the multichannel communication system developed with expanded GMF satellite and ORC-2Ol microwave networks, the single channel radio network became a secondary means of communications. I Nevertheless, throughout the operations single channel radio I provided reliable service for the MAGTF at many critical times. Because of the separation of MSEs from the MAGTF command I element, the OMF satellite communication network, once I installed, would offer the most reliable means of both internal and external connectivity. Consequently, the focus of the I battalion effort quickly changed from single channel radio in I the initial phase to installing the GMF network. A TSC-85 hub I was established at the MEB headquarters on the Port of Jubayl. I TSC-93B spokes were installed at the MAG-70 headquarters at I Sheik isa in Bahrain and with the RbT-7 headquarters at various I locations north of the port area. This network provided I dependable connectivity for secure voice telephone trunks and I GENSER and special intelligence message service to the command I element, the ACE and the GCE. This network furnished the veins I that comprised the Marine Corps command and control system. I Further, both of these spokes, one with RLT-7 and one withi MAG-70, allowed sufficient capacity to accommodate the enlargedi requirements integral to the compositing of 1st Marine Division I and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing upon their respective MEB I components. A third GMF spoke was established in Manifah Bay at the a I forward arming and refueling point (FARP). At that time this I terminal was the most northern Marine communications terminal I and provided an invaluable service for several weeks as the I Manifah Bay area became an extensive forward logistics base. 1 This spoke would come down in December as the logistics I operations moved to even more northern positions which allowedi the installation of reliable terrestrial links. Concurrently, two other GMF networks were installed that I serviced the Marine forces. JCSE, supporting CENTCOM, I established a GMF network linking the major Central Command I service components with the headquarters in Riyadh. Naturally, I CO 7th MEB and later CO I MEF were spokes on this network and I would remain one throughout the entire deployment. This link was the only media that brought in the GENSER and Special I
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