1963 US Army Vietnam War Armor Operations ... - Survival Books

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMcarried and have a range of from 500 munication system and performs organizationalmeters to 5 miles depending on the maintenance on communication equipment ortyperadio or antenna used.ganic to the battalion headquarters and head-(3) Vehicular-mounted AM radios. These quarters company. The communication officerradios are medium-power voice or CW advises company commanders on the employsets,the bulk of which have a range of ment of their communication personnel andapproximately 50 miles and some 25 supervises the operation of the battalion commiles.Both sets have a range of 75 munication system. The communication platoonmiles on CW.provides the following services:(4) Vehicular-mounted UHF ground-to-air a. Operates the battalion message center andradios. These radios are voice oper- provides messenger service.ated, with a ground to aircraft rangeof up to 135 miles depending upon the b. Installs wire lines to subordinate unitsaltitude of the aircraft.and staff sections when required.(5) Vehicular-mounted AM radioteletype c. Operates the battalion switchboard, panelequipment. This equipment provides displays, and message pickup facilities.radioteletype, CW, or voice communi- d. Provides facilities for encrypting andcation over a distance of from 50 to 75 decrypting messages.miles depending upon the mode oftransmission used.e. Assists the S4 in the control and evacuab-Wire. Wire communication supplements tion of signal equipment from organic battalionradio and is used whenever practicable. The installationof wire is dependent on the situation 288. Liaisonand the time available. It is used mainly indefensive situations and in assembly areas. a. Liaison is a means of establishing come.Messengers. Messengers are used to sup- munication. Each commander maintains liaisonplement radio and wire. Messenger communica- with higher headquarters, supported units, andtion is more secure and dependable generally adjacent units by any means available.than other means but lacks the speed inherent b. Liaison may be accomplished by personalin radio or wire communication. Use of air conference between commanders or by meansmessenger service will speed delivery time. of a liaison agent or officer who represents thed. Visual and Sound. Visual and sound means commander. Usually both methods are employedinclude lights, flags, panels, arm-and-hand sig- concurrently.nals, pyrotechnics, alarms, shots, and horns.Their use is restricted by distance, visibility, 289. Communication Securitysecurity, and the nature of the signal. Messagesare necessarily simple. Visual communicationis used mainly for identification of vehicles and the security of his communication system,units, for alarms, and, to a limited extent, for which includes all measures taken to prevent orbrief controls signals.delay the enemy from gaining information from287. Employment of the Battalionfriendly communication systems. The commandermust determine the maximum degreeCommunication Platoonof communication security that he can employThe battalion communication platoon installs consistent with his mission and the reactionand operates major parts of the battalion corn- time of the enemy.Section VII. TACTICAL AIR SUPPORT290. General b. When close air support is available, a torwarda. Tactical air support consists of close airair controller, an Air Force officer,support and tactical air reconnaissance in areas FAC aids and advises the ground commanderof concern to the ground commander.FAC aids and advises the ground commander150 AGO 9189A