Page:Iran Air Flight 655 investigation.djvu/21

 "Z" time. U 11. During the investigation, the importance of the information being presented by way of the USS Vincennes Large Screen Displays (LSD) became apparent. Therefore, an explanation of that system’s capabilities and limitations is provided here for the benefit of the reviewer.

The AEGIS Large Screen Display (LSD) is a part of the AEGIS Display System (ADS) and is a primary visual information source for the CO, TAO and Force Warfare Commanders. It consists of four 42″ x 42″ flat, vertically mounted, 2-dimensional displays which display the tactical picture contained in the C&D computers. This information is displayed as Navy Tactical Display System (NTDS) symbology with appropriate velocity leaders. The range scales can be varied from 8 to 2048 nautical miles. Geographic outline maps as well as operator selectable line segments, points, circles and ellipses can also be displayed. These latter items can be used to construct operational areas, geographic features, range rings, air lanes, etc. The display operator can also attach a 24 character alpha-numeric label (or "tag") to any track or point. Therefore the track classification, ID, position relative to other tracks, range, bearing, course and speed as well as position relative to geographic features or airlanes, etc., can be displayed. However, it is important to note, that altitude cannot be displayed on the LSD in real-time. U 12. TN 4133, which lifted off from Bandar Abbas shortly after TN 4131, is used as the identifier for an Iranian C-130.

13. (U) A glossary of abbreviations used throughout the report has been compiled and is attached at the end of the transcript of the proceedings. U 14. The Report of Investigation is formatted to give the reviewer a general overview of the events surrounding the incident in the Executive Summary. The Findings of Fact are arranged with background on the intelligence and operational picture in the Persian Gulf to provide the reviewer with essentially the same data which was available to CJTFME and the USS VINCENNES on 3 July 1988. Environmental factors, commercial air information, data on Iran Air Flight 655, and relevant portions of the Peacetime Rules of Engagement (ROE) are then treated as discrete blocks of information before addressing the USS VINCENNES training and readiness, watch organization, overall combat system status, communications, and combat systems doctrine. With the foundation thus laid, the actual events of 3 July 1988 which led to the downing of TN 4131 are examined beginning with the surface engagement which formed an integral part of the decision process of the Commanding Officer, USS VINCENNES. The USS VINCENNES data recordings have enabled the investigation to break the critical time period, which comprised