support services

If you worked in the communications shop for HQ Detachment, 720th MP Battalion, A, B or C Companies regardless of MOS, I would like to talk with you. The Battalion History Project is in need of someone that could assist in explaining the duties, responsibilities and processes used by the communications team's to include, operational problems, personal stories and photographs of your operations and shop. If you would be interested in helping out please contact the History Project Manager via the above Email Link

The Communications Shop was the lifeline of MP operations in the field.

From the Orderly Room field phone on Long Binh Post to the POW and convoy escorts, outpost's, river and ambush patrol's, they were ultimately responsible for the installation, repair and maintenance of all communications equipment assets that linked daily operations.

The Battalion Headquarters Detachment and each Company had a Commo Shop. All would coordinate their inventory, activities, and manpower to benefit the whole.

The sensitive electronics communications equipment in the field was especially vulnerable to the harsh weather and constant bouncing caused by the poor roadways and rough water on the river patrols.

Regularly scheduled inspection and maintenance was a must and although the Commo Shops had an 8 to 4 daily schedule, they were available for callouts for emergency service replacement and repairs regardless of the time of day, threat of enemy activity, or the weather.

Field equipment inspection and repairs often took the members of the Commo Shop into the Tactical Area Of Responsibility where the ability to communicate for the four Battalion Outpost's in An Xuan, Long Hung, An Hoa Hung, and Long Binh Tan was paramount to their safety.

Each outpost maintained field radio and land line communications with the Battalion Tactical Operations Center on Long Binh Post. The land lines that connected them were often cut by enemy forces, vandalized for their wire value, or damaged by the wind and wet weather.

Weather related landline telephone wire disconnections or breaks were always the hardest to locate.