Carrier 14 - TYPHOON SEASON

by Keith Douglass

  Sidewinder Anti-air missile carried by US fighters.

  Sierra A subsurface contact.

  sonobuoys Acoustic listening devices dropped in the water by ASW or USW aircraft.

  Sparrow Anti-air missile carried by US fighters.

  Spetznaz The Russian version of SEALS, although the term encompasses a number of different specialties.

  spooks Slang for intelligence officers and enlisted sailors working in highly classified areas.

  SUBLANT Administrative command of all Atlantic submarine forces. On the west coast, SUBPAC.

  sweet When used in reference to a sonobuoy, indicates that the buoy is functioning properly, although not necessarily holding any contacts.

  TACCO Tactical Control Officer the NFO in an S-3.

  Tactical circuit A term used in these books that encompasses a wide range of actual circuits used onboard a carrier. There are a variety of CR circuits (coordination and reporting) and occasionally for simplicity sake and to avoid classified material, I just use the word tactical.

  tanked, tanker Navy aircraft have the ability to refuel from a tanker, either Air Force or Navy, while airborne. One of the most terrifying routine evolutions a pilot performs.

  TFCC Tactical Flag Command Center. A compartment in flag spaces from which the CVBG admiral controls the battle. Located immediately forward of the carrier's CDC.

  Tombstone Nickname given to Magruder.

  Tomcat The F-14 fighter operated by the seaborne military forces.

  Top Gun Advanced fighter training command.

  Undersea Warfare Commander In a CVBG, normally the DESRON embarked on the carrier. Formerly called the ASW commander.

  VDL Video Downlink. Transmission of targeting data from an aircraft to a submarine with OTH capabilities.

  VF-95 Fighter squadron assigned to Airwing 14, normally embarked on USS Jefferson. The first two letters of a squadron designation reflect the type of aircraft flown. VF = fighters. VFA = Hornets. VS = S-3, etc.

  Victor Aging Russian fast attack submarines, still a potent threat.

  VS-29 S-3 squadron assigned to Airwing 14, embarked on USS Jefferson.

  VX-1 Test pilot squadron that develops envelopes after Pax River evaluates aerodynamic characteristics of new aircraft. See Envelope.

  White shirt See Shirts.

  Wilco Short for Will Comply. Used only by the aviator in command of the mission.

  Winchester In aviation slang, out of weapons. A winchester aircraft must normally RTB.

  XO Executive officer, the second in command.

  yellow shirt See Shirts.