COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR THE PERIOD 1 JANUARY TO 28

File: 092396_aug96_decls3_0012.txt
Page: 0012
Total Pages: 19

Subject: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR THE PERIOD 1 JANUARY TO 28               

Box  ID: BX600007

Document Number:          1

Folder Title: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 7TH MARINES 1 JAN - 28 FEB 1991                                              

Folder Seq #:          7

Unit: 7TH MARINES 

Parent Organzation: 7TH MEB     




                             UNCLASSIFIED





                                     Communications

              Throughout the month of January, the Communications Platoon
            continued to maintain communications between the TFR Command Post
            and the assigned Battalions (1/5, 1/7, 3rd Tank Battalion).
            Additionally, communications to ist Mar Div were maintained. on 1
            January, the Task Force moved to Devil Dog Dragoon Range where
            combined arms exercises were conducted on 4 and 5 January. On 6
            January, TFR deployed north of the "triangle" area which had been
            occupied since 15 September 1990. A COMEX and CPX were held on 13
            January. At 0300 on 17 January the Air Compaign began. On 31
            January the platoon participated in a TEWT. The primary
            communications means utilized throughout the period was single
            channel very high frequency (VHF) radio. A communications link to
            lst Mar Div was maintained with a satellite communications
            terminal. The regimental Combat Operation Center (COC) operated
            in two LVTC-7's. When stationary, radio nets were remoted a
            distance of one kilometer from the COC. on the move, the radios
            in the LVTC-7's provided communications connectivity. The most
            significant problem encountered was the compromise of
            cryptographic material during the Battle of Khafji on 29 January.
            This problem was solved by an emergency supercession of
            cryptographic software. Other problems included:

                  a: A severe shortage of tactical communication wire. The
            retrieval and reuse of wire on hand helped to alleviate this
            problem.

                  b: The unreliability of high frequency (HF) radio
            communications between the direct air support center (DASC) and
            the fire support coordination centers (FSCC) at the battalion and
      regimental levels. This problem was resolved by the exployment of
            an airborne tactical air controller during exercises and combat
            operations.

            Communications reliability continued to improve throughout the
            month of January as operators received additional training on a
            daily basis. During the period 1-28 February the Communications
            Platoon maintained communcations in support of TFR throughout
            Operation Desert Storm. The task force displaced on 3, 4, and 21
            February. The platoon partcipated in a TEWT on 16 February and a
            FEX that was incorporated into the 21 February displacement. On 8
            February lst Battalion 7th Marines was assigned a security mission


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                                   UNCLASSIFIED

Document 19 f:/Week-34/BX600007/COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 7TH MARINES 1 JAN - 28 FEB 1991/command chronology for the period 1 january to 2:0906961537153
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-34
Box ID = BX600007
Unit = 7TH MARINES
Parent Organization = 7TH MEB
Folder Title = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 7TH MARINES 1 JAN - 28 FEB 1991
Folder Seq # = 7
Subject = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR THE PERIOD 1 JANUARY TO 2
Document Seq # = 3
Document Date =
Scan Date = 29-AUG-1996
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 06-SEP-1996