Glossary of Jargon and Acronyms
1MC — ship’s public address system
5MC — flight deck loudspeaker system
20mm — Twenty millimeter cannon round, the size of an FA-18 and CIWS bullet, also known as “twenty mike-mike.”
AAA — Anti-Aircraft-Artillery; Pronounced “Triple-A.”
Afterburner — FA-18 engine setting that provides extra power by igniting raw fuel creating a controlled overpressure. Also known as “burner,” “blower,” “max,” or “light the cans.”
Air Boss — Officer in Primary Flight Control (ship’s control tower) responsible for aircraft operations on deck out to five miles from ship.
AMRAAM — Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AIM-120)
AMV — Aviación Militar Nacional Bolivariana de Venezuela (current name of the Venezuelan Air Force).
Angels — altitude in thousands of feet. “Angels six” = 6,000 feet
ARG — Amphibious Ready Group
ATFLIR — Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared. IR targeting sensor placed on fuselage mounted missile station.
AWACS — Airborne Warning and Control System; aka E-3 Sentry aircraft
Bandit — confirmed enemy airborne contact; also known as ‘“hostile.”
Bingo — emergency fuel state divert from ship to shore base.
Bogey unknown airborne contact
Bolter — tailhook flies past or skips over arresting wires, requiring a go-around for another attempt.
BRA — Bearing, Range, Altitude
CAG — Carrier Air Wing Commander; formerly Commander, Air Group
CAP — Combat Air Patrol
Cat — catapult
CDC — Combat Decision Center
CG — Guided Missile Cruiser
CIWS — Close-in Weapon System; surface ship 20mm gun primarily for terminal airborne threats.
CO — Commanding Officer; in aviation squadrons known as “skipper;” on ships, “Captain.”
COD — Carrier On-Board Delivery. The C-2 Greyhound logistics aircraft is known as “the COD.”
CPA — Closest Point of Approach
CVIC — Aircraft Carrier Intelligence Center
CVW — Carrier Air Wing
DCAG — Deputy Carrier Air Wing Commander
DDG — Guided Missile Destroyer
EP-3 — signals reconnaissance variant of P-3 Orion aircraft, aka Aires.
FAV — Fuerza Aérea Venezolana (former name of the Venezuelan Air Force).
Fire Scout — popular name of MQ-8C unmanned helicopter.
Flag officer — admirals or generals… but typically a navy term for admiral.
Flanker — NATO code name for Su-27 series aircraft, to include the Su-30.
FLIR — Forward Looking Infra-Red. Targeting pod that detects heat contrasts. Aka ATFLIR.
Fox — radio call associated with firing of air-to-air missile with type. “Fox-2” = Sidewinder.
Fragged — as planned or previously assigned. “Proceed as fragged.”
Fulcrum — NATO code name for MiG-29 series aircraft.
g — the force of gravity. “4 g’s” is four times the force of gravity.
GPS — Global Positioning System
Growler — popular name of EA-18G Airborne Electronic Attack aircraft, a Super Hornet variant.
Gunner — squadron ordnance officer; typically a Chief Warrant Officer specially trained in weapons handling and loading.
HARM — High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (AGM-88) used to home in on radar energy.
Hawkeye — popular name for E-2C Early Warning aircraft, also known as the Hummer.
Hellfire — popular name for AGM-114 air-to-surface missile.
Helo — helicopter
Hornet — popular name for FA-18C Strike Fighter.
HS — Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron
HSC — Helicopter Combat Support Squadron
HUD — Head-Up Display. Glass display in front of FA-18 pilot that depicts aircraft and weapons delivery information.
ICS — Inter Cockpit Communication System
IP — Initial Point
ISR — Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
JO — Junior Officer — lieutenant (O-3) and below.
JTAC — Joint Tactical Air Controller (formerly FAC — Forward Air Controller).
Knot — nautical mile per hour. One nautical mile is 2,000 yards or 6,000 feet.
LCS — Littoral Combat Ship
LEX — Leading Edge Extension. Narrow part of FA-18 wing leading to the nose of the aircraft.
LSO — Landing Signal Officer, also known as “Paddles.”
MANPAD — Man Portable Air Defense System. (“Hand-held” SAM)
MIDS — Multifunctional Information Distribution System; displays linked information from other aircraft to build situational awareness.
