미8군 1정보여단2002/12/03 578
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/1sig.htm
1st Signal Brigade
“Voice of the ROK!”
Network Command
Units
HHC, 1st Sig Bde
36th Signal Battalion
41st Signal Battalion
304th Signal Battalion
307th Signal Battalion
Facilities
Official Homepage
1st Signal Brigade
1st Signal Brigade installs, operates, and maintains (IOM) command, control, communications, computers, and information (C41) systems, in theater, in support of joint, combined and Army operations during armistice. On order, 1st Signal Brigade transitions to war to IOM C41 systems in support of reception, staging, onward movement and integration (RSOI) operations and execution of the CINCs theater campaign plans. On order, receives CONUS augmentation forces and becomes OPCON to 311th Theater Signal Command (TSC).
Through years of growth, downsizing, restructuring of units, 1st Signal Brigade continues to accomplish its original mission: to originate, install, operate and maintain a complex tactical, strategic communication system. Since its inception in 1966, 1st Signal Brigade has provided vital communications support to allied forces throughout the Asian continent. Whether in the midst of combat or peacetime conditions, the brigade has maintained the electronic “nerve system” of the U.S. Army defense effort. The soldiers of 1st Signal Brigade work from the DMZ to the sea. Their efforts on the Republic of Korea peninsula keeps subscribers — to include the Commander in Chief of Korea — talking on and off the Pacific theater. They keep the CINC in direct contact with the White house if need be. These soldiers operate equipment on air, land and sea. The CINC Hawk team keeps communications going while the CINC is flying, and a member of the brigade often works on board the USS Blueridge off the Southern coast.
The 1st Signal Brigade was activated on April 1, 1966, in the Republic of Vietnam. Its mission was one of the most complicated ever given to any signal unit in the history of warfare: to originate, install, operate, and maintain an incredible, complex communication system that fused tactical and strategic communications in Southeast Asia into a single, unified command. The creation of the brigade brought together three signal groups already in Southeast Asia along with other units into a single unified command, except those organic to field forces and divisions.
The mission in Southeast Asia meant providing communications to forces scattered over more than 60,000 square miles of torrid jungle, mountain ranges and coastal lowland – much of which was under-populated and enemy-infested. One of the innovations that circumvented the difficult terrain and enemy situation was the introduction of an extensive, tropospheric scatter radio relay system, which provides numerous communications channels over distances of several hundred miles between sites. Other firsts include, first use of satellite communications in a combat zone and first use of automatic, digital message and data switches.
At its peak, the brigade had more than 21,000 soldiers, with six signal groups, 22 signal battalions, and a large number of specialized communications agencies. This made it, at that time, the largest single brigade in the U.S. Army.
The stand-down of 1st Signal Brigade was almost as significant as its buildup. Caught by the U.S. reduction-in-forces that affected our pullout from Southeast Asia, 1st Signal Brigade reduced its strength from 21,000 in 1968 to less than 1,300 by November 1972. The departure of American forces from the Republic of Vietnam was accompanied by a decline in communications facilities needed to support them. Whole signal sites, from delicate communications gear to the buildings that housed them, had to be dismantled, packed and shipped to destinations around the world. More than $50 million worth of communications equipment and facilities were recovered between 1970 and 1972.
In November 1972, the brigade colors were transferred to the Republic of Korea and put under the custodianship of the U.S. Army Strategic Communications Command. Col. Walton K. Richardson, Commander, USASTRATCOM, accepted the colors and became the first commander of 1st Signal Brigade, Korea. The brigade was reestablished by issuing General Order 56, Headquarters, USASTRATCOM, dated Jan. 29, 1973. Its mission in Korea was to provide communications support to United Nations Command, U.S. Forces Korea, and Eighth U.S. Army. 1st Signal Brigade was also tasked to plan, establish, engineer, install, operate and maintain the Defense Communications System; communications at Army facilities; satellite communications and tracking, and the Army Military Affiliate Radio System. Additionally, the brigade was required to provide support in field communications security, audio visual, photographic activities and graphic arts.
In July 1974, 1st Signal Brigade experienced a major organizational change in conjunction with the activation of two signal battalions: 41st Signal Battalion, (formerly known as Long lines Battalion North in Seoul), and 36th Signal Battalion, (redesignated from Long lines Battalion South, headquartered in Taegu). The 4th Signal Group was reorganized to the 304th and 307th Tactical Signal battalions. The last major unit to join the brigade in 1977, 257th Signal Company was reactivated at that time. In 1976, the 304th and 307th Tactical Signal battalions were reassigned from EUSA to 1st Signal Brigade, and in 1977 the 307th was combined with the 304th and designated the 304th.
On November 1, 1977, 1st Signal Brigade became the major subordinate command in the Western Pacific – reporting directly to Headquarters, U.S. Army Communications Command. In 1978, the programmed Automated Multi-Media Exchange was activated, opening a new era in improved telecommunications.
On May 30, 1984, 229th Signal Company (TACSAT) was activated to provide linkage with the worldwide satellite network. In April 1984, the Information Mission Area was established, consisting of five disciplines: telecommunications, automation, audio-visual support, records management, and printing and publication. Resulting from this was an implementation plan approved by the Chief of Staff in May 1985, changing the Assistant Chief of Staff, J-6, to Assistant Chief of Staff, C4S (Joint Command, Control, Communication and Automation) and establishing the EUSA Assistant Chief of Staff, Information Management to support the five Army IMA disciplines. In July 1986, C4S was changed back to J-6. In July the Assistant Chief of Staff, C-6/J-6/IM was integrated, resulting in the brigade commander wearing four hats – as 1st Signal Brigade commander; Deputy C-6, Combined Forces Command; Assistant Chief of Staff, J-6, USFK; and Assistant Chief of Staff, IM EUSA.
In October 1985, 1st Signal Brigade assumed the mission to operate and maintain AM, FM and TV distribution and broadcast systems (less studios) for American Forces Korea Network. In 1986 the U.S. Army Printing and Publications Center, Korea was assigned to 41st Signal Battalion. Also in 1986, the Fiber Optics Project and Korea Telephone Upgrade were initiated. On March 16, 1988, the 307th was reactivated. bringing 1st Signal Brigade to its current configuration. On June 6, 1995 the newest chapter in the brigade’s history was recorded when 257th Signal Company cased their colors in an inactivation ceremony at Camp Humphreys.
36th Signal Battalion
Units
74th Signal Company
169th Signal Company
293rd Signal Company
501st Signal Company
Facilities
Camp Walker
Official Homepage
36th Signal Battalion
The 36th Signal Battalion headquarters is located at Camp Walker, Taegu, and is composed of four companies and one detachment. It is made up of United States Army soldiers, Korean Augmentees to the U. S. Army, Department of the Army civilians and Korean Nationals. The battalion operates and maintains Army strategic Defense Communications Systems, non-DCS base communications and information systems from the DMZ to the southern ports of Chinhae and Pusan in support of UNC/CFC/USFK/EUSA forces. The 36th Signal Battalion’s subordinate units are Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 74th, 169th, 293rd and 501st Signal companies. These units manage isolated communications sites, fiber optic terminals, pulse code modulation and microwave terminals, technical control facilities and digital electronic switching earth terminal. They also manage telecommunications and, information centers, a consolidated information processing center, AM/FM TV transmission facilities and motor pools. Additionally, the battalion has the Regional Director of Information Management responsibilities for the southern two-thirds of Korea.
The Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment is located at Camp Walker, Taegu. It is composed of U.S. Army soldiers, Department of the Army civilians, KATUSA and Korean Nationals. Its mission is to provide administrative and logistical support for the command group and staff of 36th Signal Battalion. It is responsible for the training, combat readiness and welfare of all assigned personnel. Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment operates a consolidated motor pool, serving three organic and four non-organic units. It also operates a consolidated mailroom which services three organic units.
The 74th Signal Company, located in Pusan, is composed of U.S. Army soldiers, DA civilians, KATUSAs and Korean Nationals. The company operates and maintains all Army fixed Defense Communications Systems, non-DCS and base communications in a part of the southern portion of Korea. This includes Pusan, Changsan, Chinhae and Cheju Island. The company is dispersed with four operational sites located at least 90 minutes away from the unit headquarters at Camp Hialeah. Three of these remote microwave sites, located on mountain tops, use dirt and gravel access roads. The major operational elements of the company are Hialeah and Chinhae Defense Communications Systems; Pulmosan, Brooklyn and Changsan Microwave relay sites; Pusan Telecommunications Center, Pusan DSN, Pusan Outside Plant, and Masan and Kimhae Fiber Optics repeater stations. Additionally, the unit provides area DOIM support.
The 169th Signal Company, located in Taegu, is composed of U.S. Army soldiers, DA civilians, KATUSAs and Korean Nationals. The company’s mission is to operate and maintain the Automatic Digital Network Switching Center serving U.S. Forces Korea, a Telecommunications Center, the Consolidated Information Processing Center, Information Center South, Korean Intelligence Support System Communications Element and Yongsan Support Facility. The Automatic Digital Switch has trunk interconnectivity to Hawaii, Japan, Guam and CONUS. Ninety-five percent of all record traffic processed in Korea passes through this switch. The Consolidated Information Processing Center, is one-of-a-kind facility in Korea. It houses the Electronic Mail Host and provides round-the-clock Standard Army Management Information Systems and executive software support for major support commands. The CIPC operates on a HITACHI EX27 mainframe computer with 64mb of real memory, eight GB of virtual memory and processing power of 8.5 million instructions per second. All STAMIS processing is done at this facility with output via high speed printers located in Taegu and Yongsan. The Information Center South provides integrated information, customer support and services with user training and displays. It also demonstrates and performs software clearing house services. Since its creation in February 1988, Information Center South personnel have trained more than 550 users on computers with the electronic mail class being the most popular. Classes are taught in English and Hangul.
The 293rd Signal Company is located at Waegwan and is composed of U.S. Army soldiers, Department of the Army civilians, KATUSAs and Korean Nationals. The company is an operational, fixed signal company deployed in its combat configuration over an area of 6,000 square miles in the southern portion of Korea. Two of the microwave sites, located on remote mountain tops, are accessible only by extremely treacherous dirt and gravel roads. A third mountain top signal site, Salem, is accessible only by helicopter or a two to three hour walk up a very steep mountain path. Unique mission requirements include maintaining a portion of the Korean DCS Wideband Secure Voice system and operating a major satellite earth terminal facility in the Defense Communications Satellite System. Additionally, the company has area DOIM responsibility for 20th Area Support Group. The company also maintains and operates two FM radio stations in the Vanderbilt radio net; one of which has radio wire integration capability.
The 501st Signal Company is located in Pyongtaek. Its composed of 71 U.S. Army soldiers, one DA Civilian, six KATUSAs and 39 Korean Nationals. The company’s area of responsibility encompasses 7,500 square miles of territory. The operational facilities are located as close as two miles to the nearest site on Camp Humphreys to 154 miles, the farthest site at Kunsan Air Base. The major elements of 501st Signal Company are the Bucket Microwave Site, Camp Humphreys Defense Switching Network, Camp Humphreys Fiber Optic Terminal, Highpoint Microwave Relay, Richmond Microwave Relay, Suwon Fiber Optic Terminal and four digital microwave sites; three of which are located along the DMZ. The 501st operates and maintains the central portions of the Defense Communications System and non-DCS facilities in Korea. It also operates and maintains two telephone exchanges and one telecommunications center. Additionally, the company has area DOIM responsibility for 23rd Area Support Group.
41st Signal Battalion
Units
201st Signal Company
275th Signal Company
362nd Signal Company
552nd Signal Company
Facilities
Camp Coiner
Official Homepage
41st Signal Battalion
41st Signal Battalion has the responsibility of providing information management suport for units in the northern region of the Republic of Korea. The Commander of the 41st Signal Battalion is the Regional Director of Information Management (R-DOIM) in the north. The R-DOIM is complemented with a civilian counterpart that is the Deputy Regional DOIM, and two Area DOIMs (at Camp Red Cloud and at Yongsan). DOIMs normally interface with a unit’s Information Management Officer (IMO). An IMO manages information management resources within his/her particular unit. DOIMs are there to support everyone within United States Forces Korea, Eighth U.S. Army, Combined Forces Command, and the United Nations Command. There is a similar structure in the southern portion of the Republic of Korea under 36th Signal Battalion.
The 41st Signal Battalion provides Information Centers in support of the Information Mission Area (IMA). There is an Information Center (IC) at Yongsan and another Information Center at Camp Red Cloud (CRC). Information Centers provide various services for Eighth US Army (EUSA), United States Forces Korea (USFK), Combined Forces Command (CFC), United Nations Command (UNC), and the Commander In Chief (CINC). One of the many functions that the Information Center performs is the processing of Trouble Call Requests (TCR) for the servicing of automation equipment from each unit’s Information Management Officer (IMO). It also provides Computer Based Training (CBT), classrooms for units to conduct their own training, and network support. Information Centers are provided as a service by the 36th Signal Battalion in the southern portion of the Republic.
There are two companies within the 41st Signal Battalion that run Information Centers. The 201st Signal Company manages an Information Center at Yongsan and 552nd Signal Company. manages an Information Center at Camp Red Cloud in Korea. Both Information Centers are sponsored by Eighth US Army and G6.
Military Affiliate Radio System, or MARS as it is more commonly called, is a special service that the 41st Signal Battalion is proud to provide to soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and DOD civilians located within the Republic of Korea. MARS uses volunteer radio operators across the United States to relay messages and phone calls for service members stationed in the Republic. MARS provides Marsgrams. MARSgrams are messages that are 50 words or less sent through volunteers to friends and family back home. Drop boxes for MARSgrams are located throughout the Republic for the soldier’s convenience.
Armed Forces Korea Network, better known as AFKN, is a television and radio service provided theater wide for the morale and welfare of members of the U.S. Armed Forces. It also provides news and information to the military community. 41st Signal Battalion is proud to support AFKN’s mission in the northern region. 41st Signal Battalion ensures that the transmission signal is received by thousands of military and US government civilians working in the northern region of South Korea. AFKN is supported by 36th Signal Battalion in the southern region.
41st Signal Battalion provides telephone services to service men and women in the northern region of the Republic. The 275th Signal Company, 552nd Signal Company, and 362nd Signal Company support the telephone services mission of the 41st Signal Battalion. The battalion’s S3 and their staff coordinate the installation, management, and maintenance of phone lines in the northern region. The 36th Signal Battalion and its subordinate organizations have a similar mission in the south. 1st Signal Brigade , along with the 304th Signal Battalion and 307th Signal Battalion all function in unison with the 36th Signal Battalion and 41st Signal Battalion to provide dynamic communications and computer services to US Forces in Korea.
The Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment provides command and control, operational guidance, and administrative and logistical support to 41st Signal Battalion. It also operates the consolidated motor pool for the Battalion to include vehicles from HHC, brigade and 275th Signal Company Forward Area Support Team (FAST) North. The detachment is located on Camp Coiner in Seoul.
The 201st Signal Support Company is headquartered in Yongsan. It operates and maintains the Automatic Gateway Message System, Sensitive Information Command Center, Seoul and the Information Center. The AGMS operates and maintains a portion of 41st Signal Battalion’s telecommunications system in the Republic of Korea in support of the United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, U.S. Forces Korea, Eighth U.S. Army, Department of Defense and affiliated activities as directed by the lst Signal Brigade commander. The Yongsan area Information Center provides consultant services for users and potential users of new automation technology, particularly in the areas of microcomputer, terminals and local area networks. It also provides user training in automatic data processing skills development and use of specific commercial software packages.
The 275th Signal Company, headquartered at Camp Coiner and with sites throughout the Yongsan area, operates and maintains telephone exchanges (including installation and maintenance of all military telephones) on Yongsan Main and South posts; Far East District Engineer Compound; Camps Market, Colbern, Page, Eagle, Long and K-16 Seoul Airbase. Additionally, 275th mans Namsan Microwave Station which is not only responsible for microwave relay but also operates and maintains one of the primary Net Radio Interface stations for the northern portion of Korea. The company also operates and maintains all AFKN television and AM/FM transmission systems throughout their area of responsibility. The 275th also has responsibility for the Seoul Net Control/Pacific Gateway Military Affiliated Radio Station where they process over 4,000 MARS GRAMS and 100 phone patches monthly. The company also operates all Defense Communications System facilities in the eastern corridor in support of Camps Page, Long and Eagle.
The 362nd Signal Company is located in Yongsan and is the largest strategic signal company in lst Signal Brigade. It operates and maintains all Army fixed Defense Communications Systems and base communication facilities in the Yongsan area, (exclusive of telephone systems) to include the U.S. Embassy Carrier Microwave System. The 362nd also operates and maintains all Army fixed and tactical interface systems at the Wartime Command Post Theater Air Naval Ground Operations (TANGO) Center and the mobile alternate command post in support of United Nations Command, U.S. Forces Korea and Eighth United States Army. There are three major facilities which make up 362nd Signal Company: Seoul Defense Communication System, Command Post TANGO and Mobile Communications Support Package, better known as the “Road Warrior.” Another mission of 362nd is to operate and maintain two Hangul Telecommunications Centers and the Korean Intelligence Support System. The company also maintains the Centers and Korean intelligence support systems. The company maintains the Emergency Action Console in Command Center Seoul.
The 552nd Signal Company, headquartered at Camp Red Cloud, provides communications and information management services to a wide variety of customers from the Demilitarized Zone to the outskirts of Seoul. The company provides strategic command and control communications in support of the United Nations Command, Military Armistice Commission, Joint Security Area, 2nd Infantry Division and many other tenant organizations within their geographical area. This translates to 400 miles of cable, 11,000 telephone instruments, 2,000 personal computers and 1,400 messages transmitted or received on any given day. The company also operates the 2nd Infantry Division Information Center which provides a variety of office automation and information management services.
U.S. Army Printing and Publications Command, Korea (USAPPCK) provides printing services for the CINC, UNC, CFC, USFK, EUSA, and their subordinate commands. USAPPCK is there for all services including Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. In the Printing Division, all work is produced on offset presses and duplicating machines. PPCK’s large presses, can print 28″x40″ size sheets of paper (up to sixteen 8 ½ x 11″ pages at one pass through the press). After the sheets are printed on the offset presses, they are folded, collated, bound, and trimmed on high-speed folding, binding and cutting machines to complete the job in time to meet deadlines for exercises and other deployed military requirements. Publications Division support include: requisitioning, receiving, storing, distribution, and delivery of Command publications and blank forms. Administrative oversight for receipt and distribution of Department of the Army (DA) allotments of non-classified publications, to account holders and publishing of monthly Bulletin.
304th Signal Battalion
Units
Headquarters Company
A Company
B Company
C Company
Facilities
Camp Colbern
Official Homepage
304th Signal Battalion
The 304th Signal Battalion is a theater-level, echelon above corps tactical signal unit, forward-deployed in the Republic of Korea. The unit provides tactical command and control communications support using Digital Group Multiplexing Assemblages, Tropospheric Radio Systems, Digital Switch Systems and associated communications equipment. Primary services offered by the battalion to its customers include tactical voice, telephone, data communications and message traffic support.
The 304th Signal Battalion’s mission is to provide tactical communications support as part of the theater integrated strategic-tactical network in support of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea, Eighth U.S. Army and non-DoD U.S. government organizations within our areas of responsibilities. The battalion’s goal is to provide quality, reliable communications support to the warfighter.
The battalion’s MTOE was effective Oct. 16, 1995. The unit consists of a Headquarters and Headquarters Company and three line companies. Headquarters and Headquarters Company and Company C are located at Camp Colbern. Camp Colbern is situated on the eastern edge of Seoul in the foothills of the remote Kumdan-san Mountains, 18 miles east of Yongsan Army Garrison. Company A is located 20 miles north of Seoul. Company B is located at Camp Long in Wonju. Wonju is 60 miles southeast of Seoul. The battalion has been in Korea since the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950. The unit served in all ten campaigns of the war and was awarded two Meritorious Unit Commendations.
307th Signal Battalion
Units
Headquarters Company
A Company
B Company
C Company
229th Signal (TACSAT) Company
Facilities
Camp Carroll
Official Homepage
307th Signal Battalion
Activated in 1988, 307th Signal Battalion provides tactical communications in the southern region of the Republic of Korea. Situated at Camp Carroll in the city of Waegwan, 307th is comprised of a Headquarters Company and Companies A, B and C. Much like 304th Signal Battalion, soldiers of the 307th provide mobile tactical communications for subscribers in the southern areas. The 307th provides three area signal centers which include message center and facsimile services; teletypewriter terminal, an automatic telephone central office switching facility and a radio-wire-integration station for FM radio access to the corps area signal center telephone distribution system.
The 229th Signal (Tactical Satellite) Company is under the operational control of the 307th Signal Battalion. The 229th Signal Company is located at Camp Carroll in Waegwan south of Seoul.