Rolling Thunder, Wings of War Series, Book 1 of 5 by Mark Berent - HTML preview

GLOSSARY

6/27/15

 

20MM = A LARGE SHELL FIRED FROM THE FOUR F-100 CANNONS

3RD SURGE = SLANG FOR 3RD SURGICAL HOSPITAL AT LONG BIEN

7TH =  AIR  FORCE

AAA = ANTI AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY

ABCCC = AIRBORNE BATTLEFIELD COMMAND & CONTROL CENTER

AC = AIRCRAFT COMMANDER

ADC = AIR DEFENSE COMMAND

ADF= AUTOMATIC DIRECTION FINDER (RADIO)

ADI = ATTITUDE DIRECTOR INDICATOR

AFB = AIR FORCE BASE

AFV = AMERICAN FRIENDS OF VIETNAM (QUAKERS)

AFVN = ARMED FORCES RADIO NETWORK VIET NAM

AGENCY = CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

AID = AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

AIM = AIRBORNE INTERCEPT MISSILE (U.S. MILITARY)

AIRA = AIR ATTACHÉ

AK-47 = SOVIET-MADE MILITARY RIFLE

 ALLEY CAT = CALLSIGN FOR AN ABCCC

AP =ARMOR PIERCING OR AIR POLICE

APC =ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER

API = ARMOR-PIERCING INCENDIARY

APO =ARMY POST OFFICE

APU = AUXILIARY POWER UNIT

ARVN = ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH VIET-NAM (ANTI-COMMUNIST)

ASAP = AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

ASU = ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

ATC = AIR TRAINING COMMAND

AWOL = ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE

AWP = AMERICANS FOR WINNING THE PEACE

B-52 = USAF HIGH-ALTITUDE (STRATEGIC) BOMBER

BAR = BROWNING AUTOMATIC RIFLE (U.S MILITARY)

BASE = DAILY CODE ALTITUDE

BEAR = ELECTRONIC WARFARE OFFICER IN BACKSEAT OF F-105F

BINGO = CODE FOR JUST ENOUGH FUEL REMAINING TO RTB

BLUE CHIP = AIR CONTROL CENTER AT 7TH AIR FORCE

BNH = BIEN HOA

BOQ = BACHELOR OFFICERS QUARTERS, THE “Q”

CAG =  COMMANDER, AIR GROUP (U.S. NAVY, PRONOUNCED "CAG")

CAMO = CAMOUFLAGE

CAP = COMBAT AIR PATROL

CAS = CLOSE AIR SUPPORT

CBU = CLUSTER BOMB UNIT

CHANDELLE = A CLIMBING TURN WHILE REVERSING DIRECTION

CHINA BOY = MIKE FORCE CALL SIGN; THE COMMANDER IS CHINA BOY ACTUAL

CIA = CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY (FORMERLY THE OSS)

CIB = COMBAT INFANTRY BADGE

CID = ARMY CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

CINCLANT =COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, ATLANTIC FORCES (U.S. NAVY)

CINCLANTFLT =COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, ATLANTIC FLEET (U.S. NAVY)

CINCPAC =COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, PACIFIC FORCES (U.S. NAVY)

CINCPAC = COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, PACIFIC

CJCS = CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF

CNO = CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS

CNVA = COMMITTEE FOR NON-VIOLENT ACTION

CO = CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION/OR COMMANDING OFFICER

COMMO = COMMUNICATIONS 

COMPANY GRADE = LIEUTENANT AND CAPTAINS

COMUSMACV = COMMANDER, U.S. MILITARY ASSISTANCE COMMAND, VIETNAM

CORDS = CIVILIAN OPERATIONS AND REVOLUTIONARY DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT

CORDS = SLANG FOR COORDINATES

COSVN = CENTRAL OFFICE OF SOUTH VIETNAM

CP = COMMAND POST

C-RATS = FIELD RATION TYPE C

CRICKET = CALLSIGN FOR AN ABCCC

CSAF = CHIEF OF STAFF AIR FORCE

DA = DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

DASH K = SLANG FOR .51 CAL GUN

DCAO = DEPUTY COMMANDER FOR AIR OPERATIONS

DCI = DIRECTOR CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

DEROS = DATE ELIGIBLE FOR RETURN OVERSEAS

DISUM = DAILY INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY

DM = DAVIS MONTHAN AFB, TUCSON, AZ

DMZ = DEMILITARIZED ZONE (DIVIDING NORTH AND SOUTH VIETNAM)

DNIF = DUTY NOT INVOLVING FLYING

DO = DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

DOD = DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

DOOLIE = AIR FORCE ACADEMY TERM FOR A FIRST YEAR CADET

DROP TANK = A LARGE ALUMINUM JETTISONABLE FUEL TANK

DRV = DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF [NORTH] VIETNAM (COMMUNIST)

DUST OFF = CALL SIGN FOR MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC) HELICOPTER

ECM = ELECTRONIC COUNTERMEASURES

E & E = ESCAPE AND EVASION

EDC = EUROPEAN DEFENSE COMMUNITY

EM = ENLISTED MAN

EW = ELECTRONIC WARFARE

EWO = ELECTRONIC WARFARE OFFICER

FAC = FORWARD AIR CONTROLLER; A PILOT WHO FLEW AIRCRAFT TO SPOT TARGETS AND HELP GROUND COMMANDERS BY CALLING IN ARTILLERY OR STRIKE AIRCRAFT

FAL = LAO ARMED FORCES

FAST MOVERS = JETS

FIELD GRADE = MAJORS UP TO FULL COLONEL

FLAG RANK = GENERALS AND ADMIRALS

FOB =FORWARD OPERATING BASE

FOX MIKE = SLANG FOR FM LOW FREQUENCY RADIO

FNG = FRIGGING NEW GUY

FYI = FOR YOUR INFORMATION

G = GRAVITY CAUSED BY CENTRIFUGAL FORCE IN A TIGHT TURN

GCA = GROUND CONTROLLED APPROACH (BY A RADAR OPERATOR)

GI = GOVERNMENT ISSUE (NICKNAME FOR AN AMERICAN SOLDIER)

GS = GOVERNMENT SCHEDULE; CIVILIAN WORKER FOR THE GOVERNMENT

GIB= SLANG FOR GUY IN BACK SEAT OF AN F-4

GREEN ‘EM UP = TURN ALL ARMAMENT SWITCHES ON

GREEN = SLANG FOR U.S CURRENCY

GUARD = FOR GUARD CHANNEL, LISTENED TO BY ALL PILOTS, ONLY USED IN EMERGENCY

GVN = GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH VIETNAM

HIILSBORO = AN ABCCC

HUEY = SLANG FOR THE UH-1 HELICOPTER

HUN = NICKNAME FOR THE F-100 (HUNDRED)

IAF = ISRAELI AIR FORCE

ICC = INTERNATIONAL CONTROL COMMISSION

IFF = IDENTIFICATION FRIEND OR FOE

INDIGE = SHORT FOR INDIGENOUS, LOCAL RESIDENTS

IP = INSTRUCTOR PILOT

IR = INFRARED

JAG = JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL

JAIL (U.S STOCKADE IN VIETNAM)

JCS = JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF

JFK = JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY (U.S PRESIDENT  1960-1963)

JOLLY GREEN = CALLSIGN OF THE BIG RESCUE HELICOPTERS

K-2B = FLIGHT SUIT ALSO CALLED THE  GREEN BAG

KIA = KILLED IN ACTION

KIMCHI = HOT KOREAN PICKLED CABBAGE DELICACY

KLICKS = SLANG FOR KILOMETERS

KP = KITCHEN POLICE

LBJ = LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON ; ALSO  SLANG  FOR THE LONG BINH JAIL

LC = LIEUTENANT COLONEL, ALSO LTC

LEG = SLANG FOR A NON-PARATROOPER

LIMA  SITE  (LS) = CLANDESTINE LANDING FIELDS IN LAOS

LOC = LINES OF COMMUNICATION

LSD = LYSERGIC ACID DIETHYLAMIDE (HALLUCINOGEN)

LSO = LANDING SIGNALS OFFICER WHO DIRECTS AIRCRAFT CARRIER LANDINGS

LUFBERY = A HORIZONTAL CIRCLE OF DEFENSIVE AIRCRAFT PROTECTING EACH OTHER

LZ = LANDING ZONE

M-16 = U.S ARMY STANDARD ISSUE RIFLE

MAAG = MILITARY ADVISORY & ASSISTANCE GROUP

MAC = MILITARY AIRLIFT COMMAND CONTRACT WITH CIVILIAN AIRLINES TO FERRY TROOPS

MAC-SOG = MILITARY ASSISTANCE COMMAND, SPECIAL OPERATIONS GROUP

MACV = MILITARY ASSISTANCE COMMAND,  VIETNAM

MAF = MARINE AMPHIBIOUS FORCE

MIA = MISSING IN ACTION

MiG = RUSSIAN MADE JET FIGHTER

MIKE FORCE = MOBILE REACTION FORCE

MIKE-MIKE = MILLIMETERS

MIKES = SLANG FOR MINUTES

MOBILE CONTROL = A SMALL RADIO STATION ON WHEELS MANNED BY PILOTS MONITORING LANDING AIRCRAFT

MOH = MEDAL OF HONOR

MOONBEAM = AN ABCCC

MP = MILITARY POLICE

MPC = MILITARY PAYMENT CERTIFICATES USED IN PLACE OF AMERICAN CURRENCY IN VIETNAM IN AN ATTEMPT TO CURB BLACK MARKET ACTIVITIES

MUSIC = SLANG FOR ELECTRONIC WARFARE RADAR JAMMING

NAPE = SLANG FOR NAPALM

NAS = NAVAL AIR STATION

NATO = NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION

NBC = NATIONAL BROADCASTING CORPORATION (TV)

NCO = NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER, HIGH-RANKING ENLISTED

NELLIS = A USAF FIGHTER TRAINING BASE OUTSIDE OF LAS VEGAS

NEWSIES = NEWSPAPER OR TV REPORTERS

NGF = NAVAL GUN FIRE

NLF = NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT (SOUTH VIETNAMESE COMMUNIST

NOMEX = A FLAME RESISTANT MATERIAL USED FOR FLIGHT SUITS

NRO = NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE

NSC = [U.S] NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL

NVA = NORTH VIETNAMESE ARMY

NVN = NORTH VIETNAM

O'CLUB = SLANG FOR OFFICERS CLUB

OD = OLIVE DRAB

OIC = OFFICER IN CHARGE

OPS OFFICER = OPERATIONS OFFICER

OSI =  AIR FORCE OFFICE OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

OTS = OFFICER TRAINING SCHOOL

P = PIASTTRES, CURRENCY USED IN SOUTH VIETNAM

PCS = PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION

PE ROOM = PERSONAL EQUIPMENT (HELMET, G-SUIT, ETC)

PENGUN = PEN-SIZED TUBE TO FIRE FLARES

PHOUGAS = A TYPE OF NAPALM

PICKLE = SLANG TERM FOR PUNCH THE DROP-BOMB BUTTON

PIO = PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

PISTOL = PILOT SLANG FOR A 20MM CANNON SLUNG UNDER THE BELLY OF AN F-4. ALSO A FIREBRAND OF A GUY

PJ = PARARESCUE JUMPER – MEN WITH BIG BALLS WHO RESCUED PILOTS

PL = PATHET LAO; LAO FORCES ALIGNED WITH THE NORTH VIETNAMESE

POL = PETROLEUM, OIL, LUBRICANTS

POTUS = PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

POW = PRISONER OF WAR

PRC-25 = A PORTABLE FM TWO-WAY RADIO (PRICK 25)

PRG = PROVISIONAL REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT

PTSD = POST TRAUMA STRESS DISORDER

PUFF = THE MAGIC DRAGON, NICKNAME FOR THE AC-47 GUNSHIP

R&R = REST AND RECREATION

RATED = MILITARY TERM MEANING RATED AS A PILOT, NAVIGATOR, GUNNER, ETC.

RECCE TECH = SLANG FOR RECONNAISSANCE TECHNICAL (SQUADRON OR WING)

REMF = REAR ECHELON MF

RESCAP = CAPPING A RESCUE

RFK = ROBERT F. KENNEDY

RHAW = RADAR HOMING AND WARNING (DETECTS ENEMY RADAR)

RLAF = ROYAL LAOTIAN AIR FORCE

ROE = RULES OF ENGAGEMENT: RESTRICTIVE ORDERS FOR COMBATANTS

ROK = REPUBLIC OF [SOUTH] KOREA

ROLLING THUNDER = A BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST NORTH  VIETNAM

ROTC = RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS

ROUTE PACK = A GEOGRAPHICAL DIVISION USED IN NORTH VIETNAM

RPG = ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE

RT-10 = SMALL SURVIVAL RADIO CARRIED BY AIRCREW

RTA = ROYAL THAI ARMY

RTAFB = ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE BASE

RTB = RETURN TO (AIR) BASE

RTO - RADIO TELEPHONE OPERATOR

RVN = REPUBLIC OF [SOUTH] VIET-NAM (ANTI-COMMUNIST)

RVNAF = REPUBLIC OF [SOUTH] VIETNAM AIR FORCE

SAC = STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND

SAFOI = OFFICE OF INFORMATION OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE

SAM = SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE ALSO SPECIAL AIR MISSION

SAMSO = SPACE AND MISSILE SYSTEM ORGANIZATION LOCATED AT EL SEGUNDO, CA.

SANDY = CALLSIGN OF THE A-1 PROP PLANES THAT GUARD THE JOLLY GREENS

SAR = SEARCH AND RESCUE

SCATBACK = CALLSIGN FOR THE T-39 COURIER AIRCRAFT

SDS = STUDENTS FOR A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY

SEA = SOUTH EAST ASIA

SETP = SOCIETY OF ENGINEERING TEST PILOTS

SF = SPECIAL FORCES

SFC = SERGEANT FIRST CLASS

SHORT ROUND = ORDNANCE LANDING SHORT OF THE TARGET

SKYSPOT = A GROUND RADAR CONTROLLED METHOD TO BOMB THROUGH CLOUDS OR AT NIGHT

SLOW MOVERS = PROPELLER AIRPLANES

SNAKE-EYE, SNAKES OR HI DRAG = A BOMB WITH FOLDING FINS TO SLOW DESCENT

SNCC = STUDENT NON-VIOLENT COORDINATING COMMITTEE

SOP = STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

SOS = SQUADRON OFFICERS SCHOOL FOR LTS AND CAPTS; ALSO STUFF ON A SHINGLE

SPETSNAZ = RUSSIAN SPECIAL FORCES

SPOOKY = CALLSIGN FOR AC-47 GUNSHIP

SQUAWK = RADIO TERM TELLING A PILOT TO ACTIVATE HIS IFF

SRV = SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF [REUNIFIED] VIETNAM

STAN EVAL = STANDARDIZATION AND EVALUATION

STEEL POT = SLANG FOR STANDARD GI HELMET

STEEL TIGER = A DESIGNATED AREA IN LAOS

STOP COCKED = SHUT OFF

SVN = SOUTH VIET-NAM

T-28 = U.S FIGHTER-BOMBER AIRPLANE (PROP DRIVEN)

TAC = TACTICAL AIR COMMAND

TACAN = A NAVIGATIONAL TYPE OF RADIO

TAN SON NHUT = THE AIR BASE NEAR SAIGON WITH  MACV AND 7TH AIR FORCE

TANK, THE = A SECURE MEETING ROOM FOR THE JOINT CHIEFS

TANKER = OR TANK, A KC-135 REFUELING AIRCRAFT

TAOR = TACTICAL AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

T-BIRD = SLANG FOR THE T-33 AIRCRAFT

TDY =TEMPORARY DUTY

TFS = TACTICAL FIGHTER  SQUADRON

TFW = TACTICAL FIGHTER WING

THUD = SLANG FOR THE F-105

TOT = TIME OVER TARGET

TRACKS = SLANG FOR M-113 ARMORED VEHICLES

TWEET = THE, SLANG FOR T-37 JET TRAINER WITH HIGH-PITCHED ENGINES

TWX = TELETYPE TRANMISSION

UHF/VHF/HF/FM = RADIOS

UN = UNITED NATIONS

URK-10 = SURVIVAL RADIO

US = UNITED STATES

USA = UNITED STATES OF AMERICA;  U.S ARMY

USAF = UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

USCG = UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

USG = UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

USMC = UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

USN = UNITED STATES NAVY

USNG = UNITED STATES NATIONAL GUARD

USO = UNITED SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

USS = UNITED STATES SHIP

USSR = UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS

VC = VIET CONG A.K.A. VICTOR CHARLIE, OR JUST CHARLIE

VIP = VERY IMPORTANT PERSON

VNAF = SOUTH VIETNAMESE AIR FORCE

VP = VICE PRESIDENT

VP = VANG PAO; LEADER OF THE HMONG

VVA = VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA

VVAW = VIETNAM VETERANS AGAINST THE WAR

WAR ZONE C = A HOT ZONE NW OF SAIGON

WHAM = WIN THE HEARTS AND MINDS

WIA =WOUNDED IN ACTION (WARRANTS THE PURPLE HEART)

WINCHESTER = CODE FOR OUT OF AMMUNITION

WING WEINIE = ANYONE WORKING AT WING HEADQUARTERS

WINGOVER = A SHARP ROLL TOWARD THE GROUND

ZOOMIE = SLANG FOR A USAF PILOT OR AIR FORCE ACADEMY CADET