WrrH THE I MARINE EXPEDfrIONARY FORCE IN DESERT SHIELD AND DESERT STORM 27 location. The set also transmitted their position and messages back to the division command post, as long as their antenna was within line-of-sight of a master or repeater station. To supplement PLRS, the force acquired a batch of 128 Trimpack Global Positioning System (GPS) ANIPSN-10(V) navigation receivers. These small, 4.2-pound commercial devices used the course acquisition signals from constellations of navigation satellites to locate the user within 25 meters. To boost intratheater communications, CentCom assigned six super-high-frequency, digital, multi-channel TRC-170 teams from the U.S. Army Europe's 11th Air Defense Signals Battalion. Even so, during Imminent Thunder the lack of full coordination of communication requirements and frequency assignments led to crossed channels and at times prevented communication between some units and organizations. while the coordination problems could, and would be, ironed out, it was clear to General Boomer and Colonel Hill that the limitations of communication equipment were a major challenge for the expanded force.'9 Host Nation Cultural Issues As the Saudis adjusted to the presence of Marines in the Eastern Province and Jubayl, the 3d Civil Affairs Group, soon to be reinforced by the Army Reserve's 403d Civil Affairs group from Syracuse, New York, stepped up contacts with government, business, and law enforcement officials. The group was able to reduce one potentially lethal danger to the force during missile or air attack by convincing manufacturers to limit the manufacture and storage of hazardous chemicals like chlorine and anhydrous ammonia in the industrial city of Jubayl. The group also made plans with ArCent's XVIII Airborne Corps for the handling of up to 120,000 civilians who might be displaced from the northern part of the Eastern Province. In general, relations with the host nation steadily improved as time passed. Marines at all levels seemed genuinely respectful of the rigorous tenets of Islamic culture whenever they met Muslims." As an example, the 215th Marine Corps birthday was celebrated on 10 November, but without the traditional toasts. Strict no-drinking, no-liberty policies no doubt helped relations, but the isolation of most Marines in remote forward areas or in camps was also a factor. A lack of diversions underscored the situation. There was no television for most Marines and few newspapers. To provide a modicum of relief, the command opened a recreation center with a pool, snack bar, and weight-lifting equipment donated by Mr. Arnold Schwartzenegger, a popular film actor and `Islam, meaning "surrender to God's will," is one of the world's great religions. Its sacred scripture is the Koran (Quran) which was first revcalcd by the Prophet Mohammed (ca. 570- 632). Muslims believe in one God, in angels, in the revealed books, in the prophets, and in a Day of Judgment. Islam has obligatory duties known as the Five Pillars: the profession of faith, praying five times dally, paying of alms (zakat), fasting at certain times, and pilgrimage to Mecca (haj'). Islam is a total way of life and a body of religious law, the shariah, governs all conduct. In Saudi Arabia shariah is the basis for civil law.First Page | Prev Page | Next Page | Src Image |