US Marines – New Communication System Will Link Marines Ashore to Sea Base

Sea Power – To address challanges faced by Marines in Afghanistan in 2001, the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory developed a new portable, over-the-horizon communications system that is being tested by Marine units in Iraq to assess its link between command centers, fire-support commanders and tactical units ashore during operations. The Expeditionary Tactical Communications System (ETCS) is a voice and data link between tactical units ó down to the company, platoon or squad level ó and their combat commanders. It is envisioned as a solution for rapidly advancing units that outstretch their ability to communicate with commanders.

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US Marines – Marine Corps Fratricide Reduction Efforts

Marine Corps Gazette – As the column of Marines advanced north to secure a strategic Euphrates River bridge just south of the city of An Nasiriyah they observed Iraqi soldiers along the roadside who appeared to be surrendering. Upon approaching them, the Iraqis opened fire with assault rifles and rocket propelled grenades. The Marines took cover in and around their assault amphibious vehicles and began to return fire, and then, in an incident tragically reminiscent of an engagement that occurred 12 years earlier during Operation Desert Storm, a U.S. Air Force Añ10 Thunderbolt strafed the columnódestroying one of the vehicles and killing as many as nine Marines.
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