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File: 082696_d50038_007.txt
Page: 007
Total Pages: 15

primary 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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