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was ready for the next phase, preparing for the offense.
 PA e                            EPISODE liii

As November came to a close,  it became obvious that Iraqi forces

in Kuwait would be attacked.   Accordingly, the I MEF staff I
commenced planning the deployment of Marine forces to forward I
positions to prosecute an offensive operation.   In conjunction I
with that planning, preparation was being made to move the I MEF

command post forward.   As the outline of these plans became I
solid it was evident that the communication architecture would I
expand greatly,  that greater demand would be placed on the I
system and that more communications operators and maintainers I
would be required in the AOR.   Consequently, during this episode

the remainder of the battalion came forward into the AOR, and I
the battalion began supporting both a forward and a rear command

post. Eighth Communication Battalion deployed to Saudi Arabia I
during this phase and operated in Direct Support of Ninth I
Communication Battalion.   Bravo Company, Eighth Communication I
Battalion relieved Bravo Company, Ninth Communication Battalion I
during the later stages of this phase and just prior to the I
ground assault.   Eighth Communication Battalion's services added

more depth to the already robust network, gave Bravo Company,  I
Ninth Communication Battalion a much needed respite and allowed I
Bravo Company,  9th to prepare for the next displacement, into I
enemy held Kuwait.   Further, because of the greatly increased I
communication requirement this phase witnessed the installation I
of a TYC-39 and an MSC-63A into the system enhancing GENSER and I
Special Intelligence message service.

While the movement of the remainder of the battalion into the I
AOR was a fairly straight forward process,  it is worthwhile to I
recall the organization of the battalion up until these follow I
on personnel arrived.   The battalion commander had created a I
task organized structure that deviated significantly from a I
notional communication battalion structure.   Nevertheless, it I
was a structure that served the peculiar purpose of Desert I
Shield.   At the outset, it was apparent that Bravo Company would

require augmentation of both equipment and personnel to I
accomplish the initial mission.   Further, Alpha Company was not I
given a specific mission.   Therefore, much of Alpha Company's I
equipment and personnel were attached to Bravo Company.   When I
Alpha Company was given a mission to support 5th MEB,  this I
initial organization required altering.   Alpha Company I
reacquired many of the personnel and much of the equipment that I
had originally been temp loaned to Bravo Company.   When Alpha I
Company departed,  it was task organized for its peculiar mission

with 5th MEB without degrading the capability of Bravo Company,  I

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