The Strategic Communications Command (STRATCOM) had its beginnings Feb.1st 1945 as the 9423rd Technical Service Unit (TSU) at the Pentagon's War Department Signal Center- Traffic Operation Branch. It earned a Meritorious Unit Award for its service during WWII. In 1947 it was re-designated the Army Command and Administrative Communications and soon after the U.S. Army Communications Agency ACA).

On April 1st, 1962 the Army Communications Agency and the U.S. Army Engineering Agency combined and formed the U.S. Army Strategic Communications Command (ASASCC). With additional mission responsibilities and upgrades the name became Strategic Communications Command (STRATCOM). It was commanded by Maj.Gen. Richard Myer headquartered in Washington, D.C.

STRATCOM Europe formed in July 1964 and in Sept. '64 STRATCOM- Pacific went operational. This command area included Hawaii, Viet Nam, Okinawa and Thailand. Prior to this and in Japan the Army's 71st Signal Service Battalion was assigned the responsibility and mission of operating the long lines communications in all the Far East. Military posts, camps and station communications were assigned to the Japan Signal Service Battalion. However in 1964 Signal Command transferred the long haul communication mission including tape relay, transmitter, and receiver and troop radio sites to the U.S. Air Force. I do not know when STRATCOM took over this type of communications in S. Korea but I believe the date to be about 1966 when the 1st Signal Brigade was activated in Viet Nam under STRATCOM.

Additional research will be required in order to determine exact signal activities, events, dates and unit mission responsibilities of signal elements in Korea during the Korean War and for the time following it from 1955 to 1968 when my tour followed. Both Army and Air Force records have not provided much information on the history of their signal and communication resources and their activities during the Korean War.    Hi-Res Pic (227K)