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CHAPTER 3
The Heavy Division Signal Battalion

General

The heavy division signal battalion--

a. Installs, operates, and maintains a division communications system to support the division's command, control, intelligence, fire control, CS, and CSS functions.

b. Provides internal CP communications at all echelons of the division headquarters.

c. Assists the division commander and staff in planning division communications.

d. Provides direct support COMSEC repair and logistics for the division to include the administration of the division COMSEC materiel account.

Organization

The battalion is organized in four companies: HHC, command operations company, forward communications company, and area signal company. HHC commands, controls, and provides service support typical of any battalion headquarters. Exceptions exist in medical support and religious support missions. The line companies are organized to perform specific signal node and signal extension missions. Company headquarters are aligned to perform similar missions in all companies. (See Figure 3-1.)

Figure 3-1. The heavy division signal battalion.

a. All company headquarters perform command, control, and logistical coordination. While specific company missions may vary, company headquarters missions are similar. Personnel and equipment are provided for administration, organizational maintenance of organic weapons, generators, air-conditioning equipment, and organizational maintenance of communications equipment and vehicles. The PAC at battalion level provides formal company administration. The HHC provides--

• Command, control, staff planning, and battalion supervision.

• A signal officer, a communications staff, and staff facilities.

• Supply and garrison dining facility administration for the battalion.

• Administrative and logistical support for the battalion. This includes--

**DS maintenance (DS level) for communications equipment organic to the battalion.

**Administrative support to assigned or attached units.

**Organizational maintenance of field radio and teletypewriter equipment organic to the company.

**DS COMSEC repair and logistics (DS level) for the division.

**Scheduled maintenance of all wheeled vehicles organic to the company and backup for the wheeled vehicle organizational capability for the line companies assigned to the battalion.

(1) The battalion headquarters includes the battalion commander, the battalion XO, the ADSO, the DAMO, the S2/S3, the S1, the S4, the battalion motor officer, the signal maintenance officer, the COMSEC officer, and the battalion CSM. The headquarters assists the battalion commander in command and staff supervision of signal companies assigned or attached to the battalion.

(2) HHC has six sections as follows:

(a) The division signal office includes the ADSO, the DAMO, the radio officer, the chief signal NCO, the frequency management NCO, enlisted personnel, and other personnel that form the automation office. The signal section prepares paragraph 5 of the division plans and orders and the signal annex of the division plans and orders. This section also prepares the division SOI and the telephone directory. The signal section conducts field operations from a vehicular-mounted communications operations facility and has two vehicular-mounted single-channel FM radios. It is collocated with the Div Main CP. Table 3-1 shows the personnel in a typical division signal office.

Table 3-1. Division signal office.

(b) The battalion operations and intelligence section includes personnel and equipment required to plan, coordinate, and supervise use of battalion operational assets. Key personnel under the battalion S3 include assistant S3 officer, an operations sergeant and assistant, an intelligence sergeant, an NBC NCO, and various clerks. This section forms the systems control (SYSCON). Normally, the section operates from a vehicular-mounted communications operations facility at an area signal node. The battalion NBC NCO operates the NBC center, colocated with the SYSCON, which receives, collates, evaluates, prepares, and distributes NBC reports. Table 3-2 shows the personnel in the operations and intelligence section.

Table 3-2. Operations and intelligence section personnel.

(c) The administrative and logistics section provides personnel and equipment to support the administrative and logistical efforts of the battalion. Administrative personnel include the PAC supervisor, the PSNCO, the legal clerk, PAC clerks/specialists, the clerk typist, and vehicle drivers. The supply personnel include the battalion logistics officer, the supply sergeant, supply specialists, and supply clerks. This section is at the BLCP. The administrative personnel work under staff supervision of the S1. The supply personnel work under the staff supervision of the S4. Table 3-3 shows the personnel in a typical administrative and logistics section.

Table 3-3. Administrative and logistics section personnel.

(d) The battalion motor maintenance section operates under the direct supervision of the automotive maintenance technician. The section includes a motor sergeant, mechanics, and a wrecker operator. This section supervises the organizational maintenance of motor vehicles and power generating equipment throughout the battalion and supplements the organizational maintenance capabilities of the companies. When possible, equipment needing repair is brought to the section's maintenance shop; however, maintenance section personnel perform on-site maintenance of vehicle and generator equipment. This section distributes petroleum supplies within the battalion from the BLCP through coordination with the battalion S4. Table 3-4 shows personnel in the motor maintenance section.

Table 3-4. Motor maintenance section.

(e) The signal maintenance section has personnel and equipment to provide DS level maintenance for mission-essential communications equipment of the battalion. The signal systems maintenance technician (warrant officer) supervises the section and is assisted by the enlisted maintenance supervisor who provides technical assistance for the maintenance activities. The signal maintenance section personnel repair field radio equipment, multichannel communications equipment, manual central office equipment, automatic switchboard, and teletypewriter equipment. They also perform quarterly services on signal equipment. All test, measurement, and diagnostic equipment (TMDE) for the battalion is also handled through this section. This section is at the BLCP. Table 3-5 shows personnel in the signal maintenance section.

Table 3-5. Signal maintenance section.

(f) The COMSEC maintenance section has cryptographic repairers and materiel specialists to provide DS COMSEC logistics, maintenance, and repair for the division. The COMSEC warrant officer supervises COMSEC repair.

b. The command operations company supports the division CP. This company provides communications facilities and services at the Div Main CP, Div Rear CP, and Div TAC.

(1) Communications facilities and services at Div Main CP and Div Rear CP include--

• Multichannel LOS communications terminals.

• A split terminal section to provide split terminal extension

• Automatic telephone and switching facilities for trunk and local telephone subscriber circuits.

• Cable and wire installation teams to install cable and local telephone circuits.

• NRI facility for single-channel voice radio access to the division telephone system.

• A patch panel section to provide tactical circuit control by use of a patching facility.

• A record traffic receiving and distribution facility to process electrical messages and to deliver high precedence messages.

• Signal site operations.

• RATT for operation in the division GP net. (See Figure 3-2.)

(2) The tactical CP platoon is a composite platoon. It provides multichannel access to the division multichannel systems plus HF RATT, automatic switching, and NRI at the Div TAC. There are two AN/TRC-145s for multichannel systems to two area signal nodes. The use of two AN/TRC-145s allows the tactical CP to jump/displace. This capability is also authorized for the Div Main CP, Div Rear CP, three brigade CPs, and three BSAs. Communications facilities and services at Div TAC are--

• Multichannel LOS communications terminals.

• Automatic switching facilities for trunk and local telephone subscriber circuits.

• Cable and wire installation teams to install internal cable, local telephone circuits, and facsimile.

• NRI facility for single-channel voice radio access into the division telephone system.

• RATT for operation in the division GP net. (See Figure 3-2.)

Figure 3-2. Tactical employment single-channel radio HF/SSB TOC net and division GP RATT net for heavy division.

c. The forward communications company supports the maneuver brigades and the five separate headquarters. The five separate headquarters include DIVARTY, AB, ADA battalion, MI battalion, engineer battalion, and a designated headquarters.

(1) Each of the three brigade extension platoons has a platoon headquarters (signal site operations), a telephone and switchboard section, a single-channel radio section, a cable and wire installation section, and a multichannel communications LOS section. A platoon leader, assisted by a platoon sergeant, provides command and control and supervision of operations. The platoon leader spends most of the time at the brigade headquarters but must also travel to the brigade trains area as well as be liaison to the forward support battalion. Each platoon has several functions. The platoons establish and operate an extension node to support a forward support battalion in the BSA. They establish and operate an extension node at the brigade headquarters to connect into division level ACUS. The field trains of the maneuver battalions (when in the BSA) can be connected to an extension by wire.

(2) At the brigade headquarters and the BSA, the forward communications platoon provides--

• Multichannel LOS communications terminals. These terminals terminate the division multichannel systems at each brigade location and provide "jump" capability.

• Automatic telephone and switching facilities for trunk and local telephone subscriber circuits (at the BSA only; the AN/TCC-41(V)2 at the brigade headquarters is provided by the brigade communications platoon).

• Cable and wire installation teams to install cable and local telephone circuits (at the BSA only).

• NRI facility for single-channel voice radio access to the division telephone system (at the BSA only).

• Signal site operations.

• RATT for operation in the division GP net. (See Figure 3-2.)

(3) The separate headquarters platoon provides secure multichannel connectivity into the division network and RATT service for the AB, DIVARTY, ADA battalion, MI battalion, and engineer battalion, and one additional headquarters.

d. The area signal company is the backbone of the division multichannel communications network using three area signal node platoons. Each platoon has a platoon headquarters (signal site operations), cable and wire installation section, two multichannel LOS sections, and a split terminal section. It also has a telephone and switchboard section, and a technical control facility section. The platoon headquarters provides command, control, and coordination for platoon operations. The platoon leader operates in the battalion engineering net. The area signal company provides--

• Multichannel LOS communication terminals. Each multichannel section terminates systems from within the division, between adjacent division systems, and between corps and division.

• Multichannel LOS communications relays to extend LOS radio systems and to terminate non-LOS systems.

• A split terminal section to provide split terminal extension support. The split terminal section provides one AN/TCC-65 telephone terminal to allow a CP to be offset from the signal antenna field.

• Automatic telephone and switching facilities for trunk and local telephone subscriber circuits.

• Cable and wire installation teams to install cable and local telephone circuits.

• Tactical circuit control by use of a patching facility. The signal site operations section at an area signal node has one AN/TSC-76 communications patching center. The AN/TSC-76 monitors, controls, and provides circuit distribution.

• FM voice radio retransmission facilities.

Capabilities and Limitations

a. The heavy division signal battalion can provide the following:

(1) Three area signal nodes.

(2) Multichannel LOS communications. This links three area signal nodes, Div Main CP, Div TAC, Div Rear CP, DIVARTY, MI battalion, ADA battalion, AB, three maneuver brigades, three colocated BSAs and FSB, and an adjacent division.

(3) Technical control from the three area signal nodes.

(4) Automatic telephone and switching facilities for trunk and local telephone subscriber circuits.

(5) Cable and wire installation teams. These teams install internal cables and local telephone circuits, and extend indigenous communications as determined.

(6) NRI stations at Div Main CP, Div TAC, Div Rear CP, and three brigade support extensions for FM radio access to the division telephone system.

(7) Single-channel FM retransmission stations. These stations provide radio relay capability for division level FM voice nets and the signal battalion command, engineering, and administrative and logistical nets.

(8) Telecommunications center for the Div Main CP and Div Rear CP.

(9) RATT terminals for the division GP net.

(10) DS COMSEC repair and logistics for the division.

b. The heavy division signal battalion's limitations are described below.

(1) There is no messenger service on a division scale and no internal record traffic system. When a division messenger service is required, the division signal office is responsible for determining routes and schedules. The division G3 is responsible for tasking division units for vehicles and personnel. To compensate for the lack of a record traffic system, user-owned and -operated terminals are relied on to transfer messages through the ACUS. Subscribers dial the intended recipient and send the message. Key unit personnel with appropriate security clearance who travel between CPs could also carry the bulk traffic (for example, overlays).

(2) Space segment is necessary when extended conditions or difficult terrain requires the use of tactical satellite communications (TACSAT) systems. Due to the limited amount of space segment available, this is seen as a limitation.

(3) Threat environments are of particular concern. If the threat borders on high intensity, then augmentation to the division signal battalion is needed. Additional assets and personnel are necessary in countering the REC threat, in extending the system to disperse communications facilities even further, and in supplying relays or retransmission stations beyond organic levels.

(4) Sustainment must be planned for when the signal battalion is employed. The unit maintains signal-unique systems and gets little assistance from higher echelons. It is a very difficult operation when the battalion is greatly dispersed throughout the division area.

(5) There rarely seems to be enough backup of reserve equipment. The employment of less complex doctrinal systems should be considered. This leaves the division signal officer a small base of assets to be used when needed.

Command and Control

The signal battalion must exercise disciplined control over its units down to multichannel terminals and relays to ensure sound division command and control. The multichannel network in Figure 3-3 shows the doctrinal heavy division connectivity of multichannel extensions into the three area nodes. The multichannel diagram shows one way to use available assets; other configurations may be derived to suit the mission.

Figure 3-3. Heavy division LOS multichannel terrestrial system.

Internal Command, Control, and Communications

a. The AirLand Battle concept requires that the command and control system be responsive and flexible. Division command and control has increased through development of the signal battalion communications network. Thus, the signal battalion is required to operate not only as a separate battalion but also as the command and control arm of the division. To manage the signal battalion, an extensive FM net structure is required. The vastness of the division area and the complexity of battalion command and control requirements result in intense single-channel radio communications throughout the signal battalion. This requirement includes FM radios for multichannel relays and terminals. Figures 3-4, 3-5, 3-6, and 3-7 show the large number of internal systems installed for battalion command and control.

b. The signal battalion uses SB-22 switchboards to terminate circuits within its own area of operation. SB-22s are at the battalion SYSCON for systems control, signal site operations (area nodes), and the division signal office. The battalion commander and S3 use this switchboard to connect the engineer circuits. A second SB-22 is often used by the SYSCON. This enables the SYSCON to terminate up to twenty-seven 2-wire circuits. (See Figure 3-8.) Figure 3-9 shows the heavy division signal battalion TOC. Another SB-22 is in the BLCP. (See Figure 3-10.) The battalion XO and S4 use it to support the logistical site operations. These SB-22s are components of the operations center, AN/MSC-31A, belonging to each of these staff sections.

c. Signal companies may operate within their own nets during movement, during training, and as the operational mission requires. Nodes, extension platoons, and company CPs enter the appropriate battalion net during full deployment to expedite command and control. Each signal line company has an internal FM net. (See Figures 3-11, 3-12, and 3-13.)

d. Figure 3-14 shows the doctrinal equipment employment to support a heavy division multichannel system.

Figure 3-4. Signal battalion radio net structure.

Figure 3-5. Signal battalion command/operations FM net.

Figure 3-6. Signal battalion engineering net.

Figure 3-7. Signal battalion administrative and logistical FM net.

Figure 3-8. Wire diagram for signal battalion operations.

Figure 3-9. Heavy division signal battalion TOC, typical.

Figure 3-10. Wire diagram for signal BLCP.

Figure 3-11. Command operations company command/ operations FM net.

Figure 3-12. Forward communications company command/ operations FM net.

Figure 3-13. Area signal company command/operations FM net.

Figure 3-14. Heavy division doctrinal equipment employment.