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since MPS equipment was now available.

Another unique task organized structure was the combining of I
Support and Headquarters Companies.   Since the original I
deployment required only components of each company and not I
their total strength,  it was decided to combine the deploying I
parts under one company commander.  The remain behind personnel I
were also combined under the rear OIC.   It was in the third I
episode, when the follow-on personnel arrived, that it became
lenecessary to reestablish Headquarters and Support Companies I
separately according to their notional structures.

The movement of forces north was the major task of the MEF I
during this phase.   Accordingly, Ninth Communication Battalion's

efforts were focused on establishing the communication circuits I
required to support the new I MEF main command post.  With the I

MEF rear command post remaining in the Al Jubayl area,  the new I

MEF C.P. was activated near Ras Safiniyah on 7 January.   In I
effect,  this move required Ninth Communication Battalion to I
support two MEF size command posts.   A unique communication I
architecture was developed to support the dual command posts.  1
The architecture involved a hub and spokes concept relying I
heavily once again upon GMF Satellite connectivity.   The I MEF I
Rear C.P. operated as the hub for the entire system providing I
the major technical control functions and the primary switching
node for the network.   The new main C.P. provided communication
service equal to the rear C.P. but without being encumbered by
the extra equipment necessary to be the primary switch or
technical control for the network.

The GMF system, which continued to provide the primary
connectivity for the communication network, employed equipment
and personnel from both Support Company, Ninth Communication
Battalion and Support Company, Eighth Communication Battalion
which began to arrive in late December.   The system employed two
TSC-85B satellite terminals at the I MEF rear command post
location, and   nine Marine Corps TSC-93 satellite terminals
operated within the AOR. Eight TSC-93B terminals operated as
spokes off of the two TSC-85 terminals; one TSC-93A terminal
provided a direct link to Fort Buckner, Okinawa.    Further,
TSC-93B of JCSE continued to operate as a spoke, providing
connectivity to CENTCOM Headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

While the GMF network was the primary multichannel system
supporting I MEF,  the terrestrial microwave systems provided an
extensive secondary network that provided the path for many
critical circuits.   This network was comprised of personnel and
equipment from sister services, Eighth Communication Battalion,
and, of course, Ninth Communication Battalion augmented with MPS
equipment.   U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force TRC-17O teams and

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