Boots on the Ground: Air War #4.
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GLOSSARY OF TERMS
AAA
Anti-Aircraft Artillery. Most Iraqi AAA ranged from short range 23mm to long range 130mm artillery. Small caliber weapons fire vast amounts of rounds and rely largely on this high number of shells to destroy the target. Large caliber weapons fire large shells, which contain an explosive charge (detonated at altitude) to scatter a great number of fragments. Most AAA systems rely on command and control communications and radar to help target enemy aircraft and are largely mobile.
AAM
Air-to-Air Missile. Most fighters are equipped with AAMs, which are used to destroy enemy aircraft.
AIM
A type of air-to-air missile. The AIM-7 (radar-seeking missile) and AIM-9 (heat-seeking missile) are widely used by US fighters.
Alarm
There are four conditions of alarm associated with possible nuclear, biological, chemical and/or conventional attacks. With the exception of the all clear signal, the alarms require the donning of protective gear and assuming defensive posture. See All Clear, Alarm Black, Alarm Red, Alarm Yellow.
Alarm Black
Nuclear, biological or chemical contamination is expected or present.
Alarm Red
Alarm condition that means an attack is imminent or in progress.
Alarm Yellow
Alarm condition that means an attack is probable.
All Clear
Alarm condition that means to resume normal wartime activities.
ASM
Air-to-Surface Missile. Smart ASMs launched from fighters are very effective in destroying their targets.
AWACS
Airborne Warning and Control System. Refers to the E3A Sentry aircraft and/or its associated airborne radar system used to detect enemy aircraft and direct friendly aircraft to intercept them.
Bandit
An enemy aircraft. Usually a fighter.
Bogie
An unidentified (possibly hostile) aircraft/fighter.
Buff
Refers to the B-52. A heavy bomber capable of delivering a substantial payload.
C3CM
Command Communications and Control Counter Measures. Tactics for denying enemy command and control communications through jamming and other electronic means.
CAP
Combat Air Patrol. Normally a group of one to four F-15C, which provide air support and are directed to intercept enemy aircraft by AWACS.
Control
The ground controller at the operations center.
Dogfight
Aerial combat with friendly fighters pitted against enemy fighters.
Eagle
Refers primarily to the F-15C, an air superiority fighter used for air support. Could also refer to the F-15E Strike Eagle which can be used for deep interdiction missions. The F-15C and F-15E are very similar and it is difficult to tell the two aircraft apart. However, the F-15E normally carries a payload along with its air-to-air missiles.
EC-130
Electronic Combat configured C-130, the Gray Lady. One of the most capable electronic warfare aircraft in the US inventory, it is primarily a communications jammer. The many different EC-130 configurations are denoted with a suffix. The experimental models flown in the Persian Gulf have since been decommissioned due to budget issues.
Egress
Exiting the sensitive/critical area where enemy activity can be expected.
Environment
The targeted area where most enemy activity can be expected to originate from.
EW
Electronic Warfare. Primarily the use of counter measures (like jamming) and other electronic means to detect and counter enemy communications and radar.
Falcon
F-16. A superior air-to-air/air-to-ground capable aircraft. Excellent for close-in dogfights.
Ingress
Entering the sensitive/critical area where enemy activity can be expected.
Jam
To deny/degrade enemy command and control communications through electronic means. Effective against AAA, SAM sites, and enemy aircraft by blocking communications and/or radar.
Jam window
Refers to times when the EC-130 aircraft must jam to support an inbound wave or package group.
JP-4
Jet fuel.
KC
Refers to the KC-130, KC-135 or KC-10 aerial refueler. US fighters such as the F-15 and F-16 use KC for aerial refueling. Aerial refueling is vital for fighters that provide air support and conduct long-range missions.
Life Support
Group responsible for maintaining aircrew gear, which includes helmets, oxygen masks, and air chemical protection gear.
MCC
Mission Crew Commander/Controller. An officer who controls the mission crew of an aircraft such as the EC-130 or AWACS.
MCS
Mission Crew Supervisor. A senior enlisted crewmember who often coordinates with other EW assets.
MiG Sweep
A forward CAP dedicated to intercept enemy aircraft.
MPC
Mission Planning Cell. Performs auxiliary duties such as planning, coordination and duty driving.
MRE
Meal Ready to Eat. Field or combat rations consisting of packaged and largely dehydrated foods. MREs contain a main item such as barbecued pork, hot dogs, or ham; a vegetable item; and a dessert such as a brownie. Also usually included is instant coffee or hot chocolate and crackers with peanut butter, jelly or cheese.
Nomex
The material flight suits, flight jackets, and flight gloves are made out of. It is designed to resist flames.
NVG
Night Vision Goggles. NVG are very similar to binoculars except they allow you to see in the dark. Small and distant lights can be reflected through the green of the viewer. Afterburners reflected in NVG are normally a very bright green.
Ops
The operations center. A center of control for missions and crews.
Package
A group of friendly aircraft, which usually includes fighters, bombers, and radar jammers projected to enter enemy territory. A package normally refers to more than one wave (or groups) projected inbound into enemy territory.
Pad
An aircraft’s hardstand or parking area.
Raven
RC
Refers to the RC-135. A reconnaissance aircraft.
SAM
Surface-to-Air Missile. Iraq’s SAMs ranged from handheld Stingers, to mobile SA-13 air defense units, to fixed sites such as SA-2 sites. SAMs are fired at enemy aircraft. SAM sites/units depend on radar and command and control communications for their effectiveness.
SCIF
Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, a high security, restricted access facility.
SP
Security police. A security police officer.
Splash
Knocking an enemy fighter/aircraft out of the sky (destroying it).
Squawk
Refers to an aircraft’s channel or radio frequency.
Thunderbolt
Refers to the A-10, a ground attack aircraft.
Tower
The air traffic controller at base.
Wave
A group of friendly aircraft, which usually includes fighters, bombers, and radar jammers projected to enter enemy territory. Part of a package.
Weasel
Refers to F-4G fighter. A capable fighter that can locate and then destroy enemy electronic emissions. Also used for reconnaissance.
Window
(see Jam window)
Timeline
Start of the Persian Gulf War
Wed., 16 Jan Alert
Thursday, 17 Jan Fly to Turkey
First week deployed
&n
bsp; Friday, 18 Jan 1st combat flight
Saturday, 19 Jan 2nd combat flight
Sunday, 20 Jan 3rd combat flight
Monday, 21 Jan 4th combat flight
Tuesday, 22 Jan 5th combat flight
Wed., 23 Jan 6th combat flight
Thursday, 24 Jan 7th combat flight
Second week deployed
Friday, 25 Jan 8th combat flight
Saturday, 26 Jan 9th combat flight
Sunday, 27 Jan 10th combat flight
Monday, 28 Jan 11th combat flight
Tuesday, 29 Jan 12th combat flight
Wed., 30 Jan 13th combat flight. First major ground offensive
Thursday, 31 Jan 14th combat flight
Third week deployed
Friday, 1 Feb No flight
Saturday, 2 Feb 15th combat flight
Sunday, 3 Feb 16th combat flight
Monday, 4 Feb 16th flight ends
Tuesday, 5 Feb 17th combat flight
Wed., 6 Feb 18th combat flight
Thursday, 7 Feb no flight
Fourth week deployed
Friday, 8 Feb 19th flight
Saturday, 9 Feb 20th combat flight
Sunday, 10 Feb 20th flight ends
Monday, 11 Feb 21st combat flight
Tuesday, 12 Feb 22nd combat flight
Wed., 13 Feb MPC
Thursday, 14 Feb MPC
Fifth week deployed
Friday, 15 Feb 23rd flight, Baghdad
Saturday, 16 Feb Bad weather
Sunday, 17 Feb Bad weather. MPC
Monday, 18 Feb 25th flight, Baghdad
Tuesday, 19 Feb 26th flight, Baghdad
Wed., 20 Feb No flight
Thursday, 21 Feb 27th flight, Baghdad
Sixth week deployed
Friday, 22 Feb No flight
Saturday, 23 Feb Green light for ground war. 28th flight, Baghdad.
Sunday, 24 Feb 29th flight, Baghdad. Ground campaign starts. Late evening 30th flight, Baghdad.
Monday, 25 Feb 30th flight return. Kuwaiti New Year.
Tuesday, 26 Feb 31st flight, Baghdad
Wed., 27 Feb 32nd flight, Baghdad. Liberation of Kuwait City begins.
Thursday, 28 Feb 32nd combat flight continues. Kuwait City is liberated.
Seventh week deployed
Friday, 1 Mar On standby. KTO mop up begins.
Saturday, 2 Mar On standby. KTO mop up continues.
Sunday, 3 Mar On standby. KTO mop up continues.
Monday, 4 Mar On standby. KTO mop up cont. Civil unrest growing.
Tuesday, 5 Mar On standby. Civil unrest continues.
Wed., 6 Mar On standby. Civil unrest continues.
Thursday, 7 Mar First troops going home. Readying to go home
Eighth week deployed
Friday, 8 Mar Readying to go.
Sat., 9 Mar Waiting to go.
Sun., 10 Mar Waiting to go.
Mon., 11 Mar Return to Germany.
1st Crew
According to crews flown with
Front Crew
Position
Aircrew Member
AC
Captain Smily
Co
Lt. Faber
Eng
Jerry
Nav
Captain Wilcox
AMT
Big John
Mission Crew
Position
Aircrew Member
MCC
Captain Willie
MCS (Pos. 5)
Todd (PBJ)
Pos. 1
Robert (Bobby)
Pos. 2
Charlotte
Pos. 3
Thomas
Pos. 4
Craig (Cosmo)
Pos. 6
Author
Pos. 7
Allen
2nd Crew
According to crews flown with
Front Crew
Position
Aircrew Member
AC
Sammy
Co
Ice
Eng
Patrick
Nav
Bill
AMT
Crow
Mission Crew
Position
Aircrew Member
MCC
Tennessee Jim
MCS (Pos. 5)
Chris
Pos. 1
Tammy
Pos. 2
Sparrow
Pos. 3
Ziggy, Happy
Pos. 4
Popcorn, Bad Boy
Pos. 6
Author
Pos. 7
Mike, Cowboy
3rd Crew
According to crews flown with
Front Crew
Position
Aircrew Member
AC
Captain Hillman
Co
Candid
Eng
Darwin
Nav
Beebop
AMT
Rollin
Mission Crew
Position
Aircrew Member
MCC
Stopwatch
MCS (Pos. 5)
Steve
Pos. 1
Sandy
Pos. 2
Topper
Pos. 3
Karen (Mellow Yellow)
Pos. 4
Able
Pos. 6
Author
Pos. 7
Tommy
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