Authors: Richard Herman
MPCD: Multi-Purpose Color Display. A color video screen in the cockpit of an F-15E. One in the front cockpit and two in the rear cockpit.
MPD: Multi-Purpose Display. A video screen in the cockpit of an F-15E that lacks color. Two in each cockpit.
MT-1X: A rectangular, nonrigid airfoil, parachute that has excellent glide and steering capability.
OB: Order of Battle.
OFFICE OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS: The criminal and counterintelligence investigative office of the Air Force.
ORDER OF BATTLE: A listing of hostile armed forces by type, strength, and location.
OSI: Office of Special Investigations.
PAVE TACK: A target designator sensor pod that swings down out of the weapons bay of an F-111F. The pod contains a tracking head, a forward looking infrared sensor, a laser, a wealth of electronics, and a digital computer.
PSI: Fictional. Abbreviation for the Peoples’ Soldiers of Islam. The military arm of the Iranian Communist Tudeh Party. Later integrated into the Iranian armed forces.
PUZZLE PALACE: A polite name for the Pentagon.
RADAR CONTROL POST: A Ground Control Intercept (GCI) site that controls and reports on aircraft.
RAMP: The concrete or asphalt apron used for parking aircraft. The sloping entrance way for loading an aircraft. On a C-130, located under the tail.
RECCY: Slang for reconnaissance.
RED FLAG: A recurring exercise at Nellis AFB, outside Las Vegas, Nevada, that tries to create a battlefield environment, simulating combat. Used for training aircrews in the disorientation and sensory overload of combat.
RHAW: Radar Homing and Warning. Equipment that warns aircrews about radar threats.
ROE: The rules of engagement.
RPG: The standard, shoulder-held, Soviet anti-armor weapon.
RTB: Return to Base.
RTO: U.S. Army term for a radio/telephone operator.
SA: Designation for a Soviet-built surface-to-air missile, i.e., SA-8.
SAM: Any surface-to-air missile.
SAW: Squad Automatic Weapon. A Belgian-designed 5.56mm light machine gun.
SCROUNGE: A highly unauthorized stash of spare parts by crew chiefs and maintenance technicians keep handy to rapidly repair aircraft. Without a scrounge, hours or days can be spent wafting for parts that Supply is slow in delivering or may not have due to budget limitations.
SNAKEYE: 500 pound high explosive bomb that can be selected in flight for either “slick” or “retarded” (high drag) delivery.
SRO: Senior Ranking Officer. In a prisoner of war camp, the SRO is the highest ranking prisoner and is in command of the POWs.
TAC: Tactical Air Command. The Air Force command that controls fighters.
TACAN: Tactical Air And Navigation. A radio beacon that transmits a bearing and distance to its location.
TALLYHO: The radio call for a visual sighting.
TDC: Target Designation Control. A switch on the throttle quadrant of an F-15 that controls the radar.
TEWS: Tactical Electronic Warfare System. An integrated countermeasures system that can detect and defeat an electronic threat.
TF/TFING: Terrain Following. Flying very low to the ground.
TFR: Terrain Following Radar. Allows an airplane to avoid obstacles and fly low and fast near the ground.
TSD: Tactical Situation Display. An electronic moving map that integrates navigation and tactical information.
TOT: Time Over Target.
TRIPLE A: Anti-Aircraft Artillery; same as AAA.
UFC: Up Front Controller. A computer keyboard that controls the systems in an F-15E. The UFC in the front cockpit is directly underneath the HUD.
UHF: Ultra High Frequency radio. Transmissions limited to line-of-sight (approximately 180 miles at altitude).
UTM: Universal Transverse Mercator grid. A system of map coordinates.
VEE: Air Force slang for “versus.”
VOQ: Visiting Officers’ Quarters.
VSD: Vertical Situation Display. The radar display in an F-15 that gives a pilot information on an airborne target such as speed, altitude, and range. The E model of the F-15 has a radar display, but not a VSD.
WEAPON SYSTEMS OFFICER: Flies in back seat of a fighter. Combination radar operator, bombardier, electronic countermeasures operator, radio operator, observer, and copilot. By nature a very trusting soul.
WIZZO: Slang for WSO.
ZSU-23: Soviet-built 23mm antiaircraft artillery. An excellent air defense weapon. The ZSU-23-4 is a mobile, radar laid, four barrel version called the “Shilka.” It is extremely dangerous and to be avoided.
ZULU: The International Civil Aeronautics Organization phonetic alphabet for the letter Z. Also refers to Greenwich Mean Time.
Acknowledgments
Many thanks are always due to those who help a writer and I am no exception. I am indebted to: Lt. Col. Dave “Bull” Baker who made me regret ever retiring and leaving the world of tactical flying and who makes me wish I was with him in F-15Es; Lt. Col. (Ret.) Mel Marvel for making AC-130 gunships come alive; Majors “Butch” Young and Keith Elliott for showing me what a wondrous old jet the F-111 is; S/Sgt. John Geerlings who was willing to spend hours talking to a complete stranger about parachutes and saved me from a tactical blunder; and S/Sgt. Al Altro, a Ranger in every sense of the word.
Among the many who gave of their time are: Maj. John Lerned, Maj. Myke Gable, and M/Sgt. Erich Zeisler of the 431TES; and Sgt. Greg Tolley and the men and women of the U.S. Army Sacramento East Recruiting Co. And thanks to Dennis LaClair for the never-ending use of his reference library.
Finally, I wish to give special thanks to my agent George Wieser and to Donald I. Fine, an editor and publisher of the old school.
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