Jerome Picardat

The USASTRATCOM Long Lines Battalion North was a specialized communications unit within the United States Army Strategic Communications Command (USASTRATCOM) during the Cold War era. Activated in the 1960s, the battalion was tasked with operating and maintaining long-haul communications infrastructure across northern regions, including vital microwave and cable systems that supported command and control links between strategic sites. Its personnel played a key role in ensuring secure and reliable communications for both nuclear deterrence and conventional military operations. The battalion was eventually deactivated as advances in satellite and digital communications rendered many of its legacy systems obsolete.

The U.S. Army Signal Corps at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, played a pivotal role in the development of military communications from its establishment at the site in 1917 until its closure in 2011. Originally founded as Camp Little Silver, the installation became the Army’s primary center for research, development, and training in communications and electronics. Throughout World War II, the Signal Corps at Fort Monmouth contributed significantly to advancements in radar, radio, and cryptographic equipment, supporting Allied operations worldwide. The post continued to be at the forefront of technological innovation during the Cold War and beyond, before its functions were relocated as part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.

The United States Army Strategic Communications Command (USASTRATCOM) was established in 1964 to consolidate and manage the Army’s global communications systems during the Cold War. Fort Huachuca, Arizona, served as a key site for USASTRATCOM due to its strategic location and advanced communications facilities. At Fort Huachuca, USASTRATCOM managed critical functions including satellite communications, electronic warfare, and secure information transmission, supporting both continental and overseas operations. In 1973, USASTRATCOM’s missions were absorbed by the newly formed U.S. Army Communications Command (USACC), but Fort Huachuca has remained a center for Army communications and intelligence activities ever since.

The 6th Army, originally activated in 1943 during World War II, played a pivotal role in the Pacific Theater, participating in major campaigns such as the liberation of the Philippines. After the war, the 6th Army became a key Army headquarters responsible for training and operations within the western United States. For many years, its headquarters was located at the Presidio of San Francisco before being moved to Fort Huachuca, Arizona. At Fort Huachuca, the 6th Army continued its tradition of excellence, overseeing readiness and support for Army units throughout the southwestern United States until its inactivation in 1995.