Medium Brigade 2003

This thesis analyzes space-based communications support for medium brigade combat team forces over the next three years. The army’s reaction to changes in the national security environment and increased technology as outlined in Joint Vision 2010 has been to pursue digitization of the force and develop a new, 'Medium Weight' brigade-rapidly deployable, reliant on high-capacity information architecture, and capable of early entry and stability and support operations. The study examined the role of satellite communications in the objective command and control system that considered the nature of the higher headquarters, adjacent units, and internal brigade requirements. Using the proposed Initial Brigade Combat Team concept, the study reviewed task organization, signal support structure, bandwidth requirements, and the operational employment of satellite communications assets during Operation Restore Hope, Somalia; Operation Uphold Democracy, Haiti; and Operation Joint Endeavor, Bosnia-Hercegovina. The study concluded that space-based communications will remain pivotal to successful command and control and projected signal organizations and equipment of the medium brigade can provide effective support. However, the army must address shortfalls in national satellite infrastructure, reconcile task organization difficulties, and integrate digitization efforts to effectively manage available communications capacities.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.