Military

EXAMPLE:

1. Not all brigade task force mobile subscriber radiotelephone terminals (MSRTs), SINCGARS FM, Improved HF Radios (IHFR), and single channel (SC) tactical satellite (TACSAT) are operationally tested prior to each mission.
2. Communications exercises (COMEXs) do not normally include:
   - FM and HF net control stations (NCSs) opening and controlling their nets
   - participation of critical net members within subordinate commands.

   Rehearsals do not include a complete review of signal operations concepts, plans and orders.

PROBLEM 1-3: Commanders and staff personnel generally lack basic user/operator skills necessary to operate their own organic communications equipment.

PROBLEM 1-4: There have been some communications problems within the tactical air control party (TACP) elements and between TACP elements and the air support operations center (ASOC).

1. Lack of an effective communications plan.
2. Failure of TACP elements to fully and effectively use all communication equipment options.

PROBLEM 1-5: C2 site location selection continues to cause problems with MSRT coverage.

PROBLEM 1-6:Units have problems with the tactical fax.

1. Untrained personnel in the TOC
2. Aversion to using the generator.

PROBLEM 1-7: Units rarely conduct communications exercises (COMEXs).

PROBLEM 1-8: Commanders, staffs and battle captains are not fully aware of the capabilities and assets associated with the communications architecture available to them.

RESULT: Information too often gets lost or delayed because a battle captain does not know what communications assets are available to "get the message through."

1-3QFY95

PROBLEM 1-9: Repeat of Problem 1-1.

PROBLEM 1-10: Repeat of Problem 1-2.

PROBLEM 1-11: Repeat of Problem 1-3.

PROBLEM 1-12: Communications planning and execution is fragmented and incomplete.

4QFY95/1QFY96

PROBLEM 1-13: Repeat of Problem 1-3.

PROBLEM 1-14: Pre-operational combat checks and communication exercises (COMEXs) are normally not conducted to standard.

1. Initial COMEXs are incomplete
   - communications are not normally integrated into the bde task force rehearsal.

   COMEXs are not planned, executed nor discussed.

   COMEXs too often do not include all SINCGARS FM and IHRF radio NCSs controlling their nets.

   Task force briefings and rehearsals do not include a complete review of the signal operations concepts or plans.

PROBLEM 1-15: Signal operations are often unsynchronized.

PROBLEM 1-16: Brigade task force compromise plans are generally not well thought out, incomplete and unrehearsed.

2-3QFY96

PROBLEM 1-17: Battalion signal sections do not know the locations of supporting signal assets such as remote access units (RAUs) and retrans teams.

1. Signal units do not maintain the status of communications.
2. Fail to report status to higher headquarters.
3. Do not track the status of expendable supplies (e.g., batteries) or class IX repair parts.

PROBLEM 1-18: OPFOR frequently intrudes or disables unit C2 nets.

1. COMSEC/signal operating instruction (SOI) compromises
2. Lost communications equipment and COMSEC
3. Workarounds do not fully protect essential elements of friendly information (EEFI).
4. Units are not properly trained on over-the-air-rekey (OTAR) procedures.
5. Loss of SOI materials and signal personnel.

1. Crossload extended range antennas onto initial C3 vehicles.
2. Advise the commander on where to integrate C3 assets into the airflow to match command and control requirements with force projection requirements.
3. Review timelined events with the brigade staff
   - to synchronize signal operations
   - identify critical events prior to the conduct of all phases of an operation.

   Use Home Station user/operator communication equipment training programs to improve and sustain skills.

   - Use brigade TOC battle drills to improve, streamline, and sustain the collective task of C3 integration into the information management process.

   - TOC/TAC communications battle drills should include at a minimum:

   - Combat Net Radio (CNR) assets installation

   - Mobile subscriber equipment (MSE) user equipment training

   - how to use redundant/backup communications

   Use an execution checklist during the communication exercise (COMEX) to facilitate understanding. Issue it as early as possible before the exercise.

   Conduct the COMEX in conjunction with a task force rehearsal for a mission.

   - all mission critical stations enter required nets under the control of the associated NCS or MSE switches to verify programmable array logic (PAL), COMSEC and databases.

   - include tasks, conditions and standards.

   Ensure that commanders and staff qualify with their assigned individual communications equipment.

   Revise brigade task force SOPs to include those pre-operational and pre-combat checks necessary to ensure functionality and completeness of communications equipment:

   - supervised inventory

   - function checks

   - SOP review

   Conduct signal operations rehearsals:

   - review the communications concepts, plans and orders.

   - review a timeline of events to synchronize the signal operations with the maneuver commander's tactical plan.

   Implement a system which enables brigade signal officer, communications chief and subordinate signaleers to pass information among themselves.

   Conduct daily meetings while in the Intermediate Staging Base (ISB).

   Establish a method to communicate in the field (i.e., MSE conference calls, a separate commo net, TOC meetings, etc).

   - must result in daily reports to higher (fax or data)

   - must use a voice connection (conference call or FM net) to discuss areas of concern.

   Manually distributing COMSEC/SOI changes is acceptable method

   - Electronic key transfer (ie. FM over-the-air-rekey [OTAR] and/or MSE bulk/individual variable transfer is preferred.

   - Incorporate the OTAR method of distribution into the brigade's SINCGARS CNR sustainment training program.

   Consolidate and submit reports daily.

   Track, disseminate, and update locations of supporting signal assets.

   Develop a standard battle tracking report that includes all equipment and expendables.

   Request authentication and encryption tables and ensure that all radio operators are trained on their use.

   Train and execute OTAR procedures for COMSEC and signal operating instruction (SOI) updates both in the field and as part of Home Station training.

   Included OTAR procedures in radio rehearsals as a final validation of the training.

   COMEXs must have commander's emphasis:

   - to ensure they are conducted

   - ensure everyone understands the communications plan with codewords, etc.

   Perform a SINCGARS time change from Julian date GPS Zulu/ or alternate net ID as a temporary fix.

   - to deny enemy access to compromised nets while problem is rectified.

   - Initiate a COMSEC and/or signal operating instruction (SOI) changeover after all nets are on the adjusted time.

   Doctrinal references:

   - FM 24-I, Signal Support in the Air Land Battle

   - requires user owned and operated equipment to be installed, operated and maintained by the user.

   - FM 11-32 Combat Net Radio (CNR) Operations

   - for developing tasks to accomplish during COMEXs.

   - for building SINCGARS SOPs

   - FM 11-37, MSE Primer for Small Unit Leaders

   - FM 11-38, MSE System Management and Control

   - for development of MSE switches.

1. Review and revise TSOP as necessary. Include pre-operational and pre-combat checks and services necessary for user/operators to accomplish prior to mission execution:
   - inventories
   - function checks
   - SOP review.

   Make sure COMEXs include critical net stations entering required nets under the control of associated net control station (NCS) with specified tasks or objectives.

   Tactical air control parties (TACPs) must pre-coordinate and implement an effective internal communications plan.

Table of Contents
TA. 3, Air Defense Artillery
TA. 4, Part 2