Rolling Thunder

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Rolling Thunder Page 50

by Mark Berent

PARTMENT 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

 


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