The commands recorded incoming and outgoing message traffic in those logs, as well as significant events reported to that headquarters. We have included supporting health-related situation reports, spot reports, and messages when available. And some units simply kept better records than others, while some units kept no permanent records at all. The operational records also include a wide variety of planning documents from the units involved. Most units also generated after action reports, formal or informal, which we have included in this collection when appropriate.
All military units require staff sections routinely to submit status reports to higher headquarters.
In many cases, unit commanders submitted a daily or weekly unit status or situation report summarizing information across the entire unit. Finally, many of the units submitted collections of documents best described as functional files. Those files contain a wide range of messages, information papers, and reference material relating to particular subjects of interest. The US Navy Gulf War Collection contains health-related operational records from the diverse technical components of modern naval warfare. Other units consisted of ships, aircraft squadrons, Seabee construction forces, and various smaller units.