The Signal Corps played a vital role during the Korean and Cold Wars from 1946-1964. Significant advances during this period include the AN/GRC-26 mobile radio teletype station, the emergence of satellite communications, and the transistor. The end of World War II led to a drawdown and reorganization of not only the Signal Corps, but the entire Armed Forces. This led to the obstacle of doing “more with less.” The five Chief Signal Officers during this timeframe experienced unique challenges. The obstacles of managing the Signal Corps during the post-World War II drawdown to the paranoia resulting from atomic warfare and Communist infiltration, all contributed in leading the Signal Corps into the 1960s, while introducing revolutionary technologies
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During the early stages, however, poor communications in other areas resulted in a lack of effectiveness on the battlefield. The rugged Korean terrain, excessive distances, and degraded radio batteries presented significant issues for signalmen. Very high frequency radios were implemented, providing flexibility and allowing reliable communications in Korea’s mountainous regions over longer distances. This required transmission stations to be elevated enough to clear the terrain which created another major obstacle. Equipment was heavy, difficult to transport, and very susceptible to Korea’s extreme weather conditions. The AN/GRC-26 tactical mobile radio teletype station was one of the solutions introduced to provide durability and overcame the challenge of terrain maneuverability. The AN/MPQ-3 and AN/MPQ-10 Mortar-Radar Locators, aerial message delivery and wire emplacement were also significant contributions that helped the US and South Korea recapture Seoul. The Signal Corps displayed resiliency with initial communication challenges by displaying the ability to integrate solutions based on real-time analysis of our enemies’ capabilities and relaying the information to units. …show more content…
This chapter gave me a better historical understanding of satellite communications, the field that I have been in for most of my Military career. Additionally, I learned how significant the Signal Corps was during the Korean War and the tense times of the Cold War. I would recommend that this book be read by all present and future signal Soldiers to understand our history and to use those experiences in making educated decisions for the future. Lessons can always be learned, regardless of advances in technology. Many are strategic and principle-based, and can be applied to various types of situations. However, we currently serve in a Military that is ever-changing and requires asymmetric tactics. While we take past experiences into consideration, we must also constantly adapt to evolving complex technologies. The main theme I took away from this chapter is figuring out how to accomplish missions with limited resources. We are constantly required to do “more with less” and this chapter drove that point home, specifically during both the early stages and post-Korean
During the early stages, however, poor communications in other areas resulted in a lack of effectiveness on the battlefield. The rugged Korean terrain, excessive distances, and degraded radio batteries presented significant issues for signalmen. Very high frequency radios were implemented, providing flexibility and allowing reliable communications in Korea’s mountainous regions over longer distances. This required transmission stations to be elevated enough to clear the terrain which created another major obstacle. Equipment was heavy, difficult to transport, and very susceptible to Korea’s extreme weather conditions. The AN/GRC-26 tactical mobile radio teletype station was one of the solutions introduced to provide durability and overcame the challenge of terrain maneuverability. The AN/MPQ-3 and AN/MPQ-10 Mortar-Radar Locators, aerial message delivery and wire emplacement were also significant contributions that helped the US and South Korea recapture Seoul. The Signal Corps displayed resiliency with initial communication challenges by displaying the ability to integrate solutions based on real-time analysis of our enemies’ capabilities and relaying the information to units. …show more content…
This chapter gave me a better historical understanding of satellite communications, the field that I have been in for most of my Military career. Additionally, I learned how significant the Signal Corps was during the Korean War and the tense times of the Cold War. I would recommend that this book be read by all present and future signal Soldiers to understand our history and to use those experiences in making educated decisions for the future. Lessons can always be learned, regardless of advances in technology. Many are strategic and principle-based, and can be applied to various types of situations. However, we currently serve in a Military that is ever-changing and requires asymmetric tactics. While we take past experiences into consideration, we must also constantly adapt to evolving complex technologies. The main theme I took away from this chapter is figuring out how to accomplish missions with limited resources. We are constantly required to do “more with less” and this chapter drove that point home, specifically during both the early stages and post-Korean