[MilCom] Intrasquad Radio Usages?

[Ken]

Remember these units operate on 14 specifiic channels in the 396.875 to 
399.97 mhz
see freqs/channels at:
 http://www.freqofnature.com/index.php?m=Common&p=Intra-Squad%20Radio

So Who are the actual military users of these radios?

Some recent research information:

US Marine Corps, were initially the users BUT may have gone to a different 
type intraquad radio being produced by Motorola "Intergrated Intersquad 
Radio" (IISR).  See: 
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/2006/04/hello-moto-76m-for-intra-squad-radios/index.php
Initially in 2000 they bought ICOM modified FRS units as model #IC4008A's 
see:
http://www.icomamerica.com/press/index2000.asp

US Army/US Army Reserve has generally been using the INTERSQUAD VHF radios 
(ICOM IC-F3S & upgrades)  See: 
http://www.icomamerica.com/press/default.asp?id=200502  There may have been 
some contract awards for use in a training type environment for the 
intrasquad radios.

USAF/USAFRC/ANG appear to be using appropriate portable equipment that 
matches the LMR nets on their respective bases (e.g. VHF, UHF) and not 
intersquad radios.  In fact may actually be using FRS radios for 
administrative purposes since the units are cheaper to buy and may be used 
by contractors supporting base operations.

http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/pubfiles/af/33/afi33-118/afi33-118.pdf
http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/pubfiles/af/33/afman33-120/afman33-120.pdf

USN -- unknown.

Civil Air Patrol --  Has purchased 4845 intersquad radios.   The radios will 
be used at mission bases for short range communications as well as by ground 
search teams.
See:  http://tinyurl.com/yqk9yf

Monitoring 1/2 watt radios with small antennas, probably operating primarily 
within the confines of military bases or even within buildings, severely 
limits operating range and would be a real challenge for hobbyists to 
monitor.    My theory is the best opportunity to monitor activity will be 
during Civil Air Patrol operations at various civilian airports, e.g. 
mission bases (incident command posts).  BTW the ICOM radios may have been 
reengineered and look differently than the IC4008A originally looked to 
address some of the concerns (especially the fold down antenna).

Ken