1.
Signal Annex Format. The format for the signal annex is illustrated in Figure 3-1. The format
for the annex follows the standard five-paragraph format prescribed for an OPLAN or OPORD. The
following is a brief description of each of the five paragraph.
a. Paragraph 1 - Situation. This paragraph contains information on enemy forces, friendly
forces and any attachments to the unit. Information on enemy forces is normally obtained from the
intelligence annex prepared by the division G2. The signal officer notes any jamming or
communications-electronics systems that may impact on the signal support provided to the unit. Under
friendly forces, signal units from higher headquarters (HQ) are annotated (such as elements of the
division signal battalion providing Mobile Subscriber Equipment (MSE) access to the air defense
battalion).
b. Paragraph 2 - Mission. This is a clear, concise statement of the signal support to be provided
to support the commander's concept of operation for the unit.
c. Paragraph 3 - Execution. In this paragraph, all radio nets to be established to support the
unit's mission (to include both internal and external radio nets) should be identified. Messenger service
(schedules/routes) and telephone procedures should also be included. Diagrams, map overlays, and
telephone directories may be included as an appendix to the signal support annex to clarify or illustrate
the types of signal support available during the conduct of the unit's mission.
d. Paragraph 4 - Service Support. This paragraph contains information about direct support
maintenance of signal and communications security (COMSEC) equipment. Information about direct
support maintenance is normally found in the service support annex of the division OPORD.
e. Paragraph 5 - Command and Signal. This paragraph contains, as a minimum, the location of
the battalion command post (CP), the index, and the issue number of the signal operation instructions
(SOI) in effect. In addition, any special instructions elating to communications operations, such as
instructions on radio silence and operating under conditions of jamming, should be included in this
paragraph.
2.
Signal Support Planning Considerations.
To ensure that continuous and satisfactory
communications are provided, the signal officer in an air defense battalion must know the general
planning considerations for single-channel radio, wire, and multichannel communications.
a. Single-channel radio is the primary communications means an air defense battalion uses to
provide internal command and control of the unit. To plan properly, the signal officer must understand
single-channel radio techniques and operating characteristics, which radios are compatible, what
security equipment will work with each radio type, and antennas and their characteristics. Planning
considerations for single-channel radio operations are
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