The Joint Force Commander's Communications System CSC 1992 SUBJECT AREA C4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Title: The Joint Force Commander's Communications System Author: Major Gene A. Steffanetta, U.S. Marine Corps Thesis: A joint force commander must know and understand the generic communications architecture for the type and size force he commands before he can effectively influence the design of his particular system. Background: The command of joint forces requires an adequate command and control capability. The cornerstone of a command and control capability is the communications system. No two communications systems are alike, even for same size and type forces. A joint force commander must know and understand the generic communications architecture for the type and size force he commands before he can influence the design of his particular architecture. A generic joint task force communications architecture is surveyed from "birth to maturity." Communications of increasing capacity and complexity are established providing the commander with increasing operational capabilities. The Joint Communications Support Element is the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff-controlled communications asset that will likely be tasked to provide the communications personnel and equipment to support the joint task force headquarters. The joint force commander must understand and be familiar with Joint Communications Support Element responsibilities and capabilities. Recommendation: A successful joint force commander needs to personally influence the design of his communications system. This can only be effectively accomplished if the commander first understands the generic communications architecture and-support structure for the type and size force he commands. THE JOINT FORCE COMMANDER'S COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM OUTLINE Thesis: A joint force commander must know and understand the generic communications architecture for t,he type and size force he commands before he can effectively influence the design of his particular system. I. Generic joint force communications architecture A. Basic requirements B. Transmission media C. System capabilities II. Evolution of the communications system A. Ultra high frequency satellite radio B. Defense Communications System extension C. Super high frequency multichannel radio D. High frequency multichannel and terrestrial radio E. Switching systems 1. Voice 2. Data III. Sources of communications personnel and equipment A. CINC owned B. CINC theatre assets C. Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff-controlled assets IV. Joint Communications Support Element A. Structure B. Mission C. Capabilities D. Generic joint task force headquarters support package V. Joint force commander's role THE JOINT FORCE COMMANDER'S COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM by Major Gene A. Steffanetta, U.S. Marine Corps The problem of commanding and controlling armed forces, and of instituting effective communications with and within them, is as old as war Itself. A Stone Age chieftain had to devise the optimal organization and find the methods and technical means to command the forces at his disposal. From his day to ours, failure to consider and to solve the problem was to court disaster--indeed, to make it impossible for the forces to exist. Martin Van Creveld in Command in War The authority to command joint forces is assigned to commanders who possess the wherewithal to influence the action; operationally that requires functional expertise and an adequate command and control capability. The cornerstone of any command and control capability is the communications system. A joint force commander's communications system does not "just happen." The system is deliberately established over time following a blueprint architecture of the commander's choosing. A joint force commander must know and understand the generic communications architecture for the type and size force he commands before he can effectively influence the design of his particular system. The joint force commander of today must have a communications system he understands and can rely on to effectively coordinate and employ his forces in combat. This paper surveys what a typical joint force commander's communications system might look like, how the system capabilities might evolve, and where the personnel and equipment might come from to provide the communications support. Joint Chiefs of Staff Publication (JCS Pub) 6-05.1, Manual for Employing Joint Tactical Communications Systems, provides guidance and technical direction for planning joint communications systems. The conceptual joint communications system of JCS Pub 6-05.1 is based on a joint task, force (JTF) deployed in response to a non-NATO crisis in an undeveloped area of operations.(4:2-1) The Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms defines a joint task force as a force "composed of assigned or attached elements of the Army, the Navy or the Marine Corps, and the Air Force, or two or more of these Services, which is constituted and so designated by the Secretary of Defense or by the commander of a unified command {CINC}, a specified command, or an existing joint task force." Recognizing that the days are long gone when the United States (U.S.) undertakes military operations with unilateral Service forces, a JTF with a mission like that in JCS Pub 6-05.1 offers a sound basis for investigating a joint force commander's communications system. GENERIC JOINT FORCE COMMUNICATIONS ARCHITECTURE Basic requirements for an effective communications system include reliability, security, speed, and flexibility. An essential and especially critical system characteristic In satisfying these requirements in joint operations is interoperability. A JTF commander's communications system must eliminate, or seek to minimize, communications boundaries, ensuring completely interoperable and robust connectivity to and between his component commanders. On today's battlefield, joint communications systems must provide high capacity, fully digital, secure and ,non-secure transmission and switching systems. Typical connectivity requirements for a JTF commander are depicted in Figure 1. The principal transmission media supporting the JTF commander are a combination of Defense Communications System (DCS), single and multichannel tactical satellite radio, single and multichannel high frequency radio, and multichannel troposcatter radio communications. Not surprisingly, the transmission media employed to provide this connectivity are, for the most part, the same media used by the JTF component commanders for communications with their subordinate warfighting commanders. The transmission media employed depend on the phase of the operation, the actual physical location of the JTF and component commanders, and equipment availability. As forces build in the area of operations- transmission systems of increasing capacity and complexity are installed. A fully developed JTF headquarters communications configuration is depicted in Figure 2. A record (teletypewriter/data) network, voice switching network, and other special purpose circuits are shown supported by these transmission media. (4:2-2) Click here to view image The following major generic capabilities are required to support a JTF headquarters:(2:K-8-1) 1. Secure voice and facsimile. Secure voice and secure facsimile capabilities are required from initial deployment through establishment of the full JTF communications system. 2. Telephone service. An increasing capability to terminate secure and non-secure local, regional, and AUTOVON access lines is required as the communications system develops. A high capacity automatic telephone switching capability is needed to support the fully deployed JTF headquarters. 3. Communications center. A teletypewriter and data record switching capability for General Service (GENSER) traffic into the AUTODIN and Special Intelligence (SI) traffic into the Defense Special Security Communications System (DSSCS) is required. Additionally, other special purpose message networks are essential as the communications system develops. 4. Weather central. A capability to receive weather broadcasts and facsimile, and possibly imagery, is required. 5. World Wide Military Command and Control System (WWMCCS). Connectivity to the WWMCCS Intercomputer Network is required for secure teleconferencing and joint deployment planning and execution. 6. Technical control. A high capacity technical control facility is required to support inter- and intra-node patching. circuit conditioning, and test/monitor functions for the joint communications system. (2:K-8-1) EVOLUTION OF THE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM Having looked at the fully developed communications architecture and examined the communications capabilities required to support the JTF commander, "how do we get there from here?" Starting with a zero-base, how, and in what sequence, are the capabilities provided to support the JTF commander's requirements? Initial JTF communications will be austere, limited by lift and deployment constraints. A quick reaction team of four or five parachute qualified communications personnel may immediately deploy to the area to provide an initial communications capability. Though primarily used for secure voice communications, the circuits also support secure facsimile, data, and teletypewriter service. The flexibility provided by the highly reliable, rapidly installed, and compact UHF satellite terminals make this transmission medium ideal for advanced echelon and initial JTF commander use. Two single channel ultra high frequency (UHF) satellite radio circuits will provide the JTF commander with initial communications connectivity as depicted in Figure 3. Single channel high frequency (HF) radio circuits supplement the UHF satellite connectivity. The AN/MSC-71 and LST-5B and the AN/PRC-104 radios support the satellite and HF connectivity, respectively, at the JTF headquarters. Click here to view image As soon as a base operating area is secure and strategic lift is available, connectivity is established to extend DCS networks (AUTODIN, AUTOVON, and the DSSCS) to the JTF. This is accomplished through a multichannel super high frequency (SHF) satellite link with a designated SHF DCS "gateway" earth station. A multichannel HF radio circuit to a designated HF DCS gateway serves as a backup for the SHF satellite connectivity. To ensure reliable and rapid communicatons, a JTF headquarters establishes a minimum of two DCS gateways. The AN/TSC-85B Ground Mobile Forces (GMF) satellite "hub" terminal and the AN/TSC-60(V)5 multichannel HF terminal support the extension of the DCS to the JTF. The GMF satellite terminals also provide the JTF commander with multichannel, high capacity connectivity to his Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF) component commanders as well as to the supported CINC. The GMF terminals operate under a hub/spoke philosophy, with each hub terminal capable of supporting up to four spoke terminals. The JTF SHF satellite network typically supports at least 84 channels (12 to each of the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and JSOTF component commanders; 12 to the supported CINC; and 24 to the DCS).(3:8-13) Multichannel SHF satellite radio, using the same GMF satellite terminals, is the primary transmission medium for the high capacity internal connectivity for Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and JSOTF component commanders (with their warfighting commanders). Within the JTF, the workhorse transmission medium for the JTF and component commanders is multichannel SHF satellite radio. Multichannel HF radio and terrestrial (earthly) microwave radio provide the JTF commander with alternate long haul transmission media for secure voice and record connectivity with the component commanders. Equipment used to support the JTF headquarters is the AN/TSC-122 and the AN/TRC-170(V3), respectively. Voice and data switching systems, supported by the previously discussed transmission media, are the means within the JTF communications architecture of extending and providing efficient and high capacity communications services to a large number of users (subscribers). Circuit (voice) switches provide users with both local and long-distance telephone service. Secure facsimile, using dial-up through the circuit switch network, provides maps and pictures both within and external to the JTF. The AN/TTC-39A(V)1 automatic switchboard supports circuit switching at the JTF headquarters. Message (data and teletypewriter) switches of a communications center automatically route traffic to/from local and remote subscribers and to the AUTODIN and DSSCS. Both GENSER and SI traffic are handled by the same message switch. The AN/TYC-39 supports message switching at the JTF headquarters. Circuit and message switching systems along with their supporting multichannel transmission means are commonly referred to as the "switched backbone" of the JTF communications architecture. When this switched backbone is operational, the JTF communications system is fully established. SOURCES OF COMMUNICATIONS PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT The JTF commander's communications system has just grown from an austere few single channel links providing minimum essential initial communications into a complex, high capacity, digital, switched, fully integrated network of systems fully supporting all command and control requirements. But where did the personnel and equipment come from to "make it happen?" Does each CINC have a building of communications equipment and associated personnel sitting idle, waiting for a crisis to develop, and ready to deploy on short notice to support a JTF headquarters? Not surprisingly, the answer is no, primarily because of resource (manpower and dollar) constraints. Yet some CINCs do own very limited quantities of communications equipment that they purchased with CINC initiative funds. These funds are monies provided to the CINC to be used as he deems appropriate to satisfy his high priority requirements that may not have been funded in the normal Program Objective Memorandum cycle. As an example, the U.S. Atlantic commander currently owns several "suitcase communications packages" capable of providing a secure voice capability via UHF single channel satellite radio. (2:K-8-A-2) If the communications resources did not come from CINC-owned assets, then where did they come from? When constituting a JTF, a CINC has two "sources of supply" for the communications resources necessary to support the JTF headquarters. The first source is from CINC organic (theatre) assets. The CINC merely tasks his Service component commanders to provide all or a portion of the required JTF commander's communications support. This is the likely source for very small-scale and/or very limited-duration operations. The second and more likely source is from Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) controlled tactical communications assets. JOINT COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT ELEMENT Certain Department of Defense resources are controlled and allocated by the CJCS to ensure the availability of sufficient tactical communications assets for communications support to deployed elements of unified and specified commands during contingencies, crises, or war.(1:1) Though some Services have equipment that falls in this category, the preponderance of the resources (personnel and equipment) belongs to the Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE). CJCS Memorandum of Policy 3 establishes procedures for requesting CJCS-controlled tactical communications assets. In requesting CJCS-controlled assets, the CINC states that, in light of theatre-wide support requirements, theatre assets are unavailable or insufficient to satisfy the requirements of the JTF headquarters. Because JCSE will normally be tasked to install, operate, and maintain the JTF commander's communications architecture, a closer look at the JCSE is warranted. Yet, though it is reasonable to assume JCSE support for a JTF headquarters, JCSE support cannot be assured. The JCSE is headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, and structured as a battalion-size organization. Authorized manning is 204 Army, 204 Air Force, 60 Navy, 19 Marine Corps, and 19 civilian personnel, totaling 506 personnel.(5) This JCSE organization is complimented by the 290th Joint Communications Support Squadron (JCSS) (also located at MacDill Air Force Base) and the 224th JCSS (located in Brunswick, Georgia), creating an organization known as the "Greater JCSE." The Greater JCSE, 960 strong, combines the best assets of the Regular forces and the Air National Guard, ensuring communications resources of high quality, and in sufficient quantity, to meet anticipated National Command Authority requirements. (6) The mission of the JCSE, as tasked by the CJCS, is to provide communications support for two JTF headquarters, two Special Operations Command headquarters, and tailored communications packages for smaller contingency missions such as non-combatant evacuation operations, embassy support, or disaster relief operations. The JCSE possesses all necessary terminal equipment (telephone, teletypewriter, computer, and facsimile) as well as transmission, switching, and ancillary support equipment. The requesting CINC pays all associated JCSE expenses, to include priority airlift transportation and personnel support costs (including per diem but excluding military pay and allowances). When JCSE support is approved by the CJCS, a five person JCSE "command and control communications and computer network engineering and planning team" is usually available to assist in inter-Service and international interoperabillty planning. (7:A18) The JCSE provides the JTF commander with connectivity enroute to, as well as in, the objective area. Enroute secure voice, data, teletypewriter, and facsimile is provided by a C-130 or C-141 joint airborne communications center/command post package; single channel HF and UHF satellite radio and line-of-sight single channel radio provide the transmission media. (5) This package, to include a limited switching capability, also provides an initial communications capability for the JTF headquarters once on the ground in the objective area. The JCSE provides the equipment and personnel to install, operate, and maintain all communications facilities and systems at the headquarters of the JTF and JSOTF. Additionally, the JCSE provides the equipment and personnel to install, operate, and maintain the satellite terminals (multichannel SHF and single channel UHF) and multichannel HF terminals at the Service component headquarters that link with the JTF headquarters. Each Service component provides the equipment and personnel to install, operate, and maintain both ends of terrestrial multichannel transmission system links between the Service component headquarters and the headquarters of the JTF or JSOTF. The JTF commander tasks a Service component commander to provide the equipment and personnel for both ends of lateral communications links between Service component headquarters. At the Service component headquarters high capacity message and circuit switching capabilities, as well as a digital technical control capability, is a Service responsibility. The total airlift requirement for a generic JCSE JTF headquarters communications support package is 11 C-141 equivalent aircraft loads, which includes all necessary communications equipment and 154 personnel. Of the 154 personnel, 125 would locate at the JTF headquarters, seven at each of the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps Service component headquarters, and four each at the American Embassy and Allied headquarters.(5) The total airlift requirement for a generic Special Operations Command headquarters communications support package is 11 C-141 equivalent aircraft loads, which includes all necessary communications equipment and 138 personnel.(5) These ready-made generic support packages can be tailored, as required, to meet the specific JTF commander's requirements. JOINT FORCE COMMANDER'S ROLE Now that the joint force commander knows what a typical generic joint communications system looks like, how it grows from infancy to maturity, and where the resources will likely come from to support the joint system, what is left for the commander to do? Design his system! However, the commander must know and fully understand the structure of the generic communications system for the type and size force he commands. Only then can he effectively modify the generic architecture to accommodate his organization, personal command style, and the unique situation he faces. The commander is the architect of his communications system! (8:81) BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff. CJCS Memorandum of Policy 3, January 31, 1990. 2. Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command. USCINCLANT JOINT COMMOPLAN, January 16, 1990. 3. Defense Communications Agency. Joint Connectivity Handbook (JTC3A Handbook 8000), 2d ed, April 1989. 4. Joint Chiefs of Staff. Manual for Employing Joint Tactical Communications Systems, June 1, 1986. 5. Joint Communications Support Element. 1991 command brief, undated. 6. Joint Communications Support Element Unit History and Mission. Fact sheet, undated. 7. Joint Communications Support Element 1991 Planner's Guide. Reference pamphlet, undated. 8. Monteleon, Victor J. and Dr. James R. Miller. "Another Look at C3 Architecture." Signal, May 1988, 81-85. 9. Woodward, Maj John A. and Cdr Doug Lynn. "C2 Systems Interoperability." Amphibious Warfare Review, Summer 1990, 52-56.
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