Up From the Depths: Book 4 Movement to Contact

by J. R. Jackson

  Fast Rope: A quick method of exiting a hovering helicopter using thick ropes and usually no other rappelling gear other than sturdy gloves. The method is quite similar to that of sliding down a pole.

  FBO: Fixed Base Operator or Fixed Base of Operation. A commercial business, usually the primary provider of services to general aviation aircraft (private planes) and operators. Can be a private enterprise, state, county, or city owned, usually providing parking, fuel, hangar rentals, air taxi service, and other basic services such as aircraft tie-down, maintenance, restrooms, telephones, and car rentals.

  FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency. Now part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).The successor to the Civil Defense of WWII and Cold War era.

  FFAR: Mk 4 or Mk 40 Folding Fin Aerial Rocket (FFAR) that was developed in the late 1940’s as an air to air rocket but was adapted for the air to ground role in the 1960’s. It has since been replaced by The Hydra 70 rocket. See Hydra 70.

  Flechette: Small metal darts used in munitions for light material and/or personnel targets. They have been used from WWI to the Russian-Georgian war in 2008 in bombs, missiles, artillery shells, special purpose grenades, and shotgun shells. At expulsion, the flechettes separate and form a disc-like mass which breaks up with each flechette assuming an independent trajectory, forming a repeatable dispersion pattern. The flechette uses kinetic energy derived from the velocity of the projectile to produce the desired impact and penetration effect on the target.

  FN-FAL: Fabrique Nationale de Herstala (FN) is a Belgium based manufacturer of light arms which produces the FAL, Fusil Automatique Leger, (Light Automatic Rifle) a high power military rifle used by over 90 nations beginning in the 1950’s. It is chambered in 7.62 mm caliber.

  FSG: Forward Surgical Group. Some of these medical units are airborne qualified, meaning they can parachute in with airborne forces. The designation for those units would include an ‘A’ following their unit name. Example: 27FSG(A) = 27th Forward Surgical Group, Airborne.

  FTX: Field Training Exercise.

  G28 DMR: Designated Marksman Rifle. A German Heckler and Koch rifle that can trace its ancestry back to the G3 military rifle, the PSG-1 precision rifle, and the MSG90A2 rifle. It is based on the civilian MR308 rifle. Normally, it has a heavy match barrel, bipod, vertical foregrip and mounted with a Schmidt and Bender 8X24 scope. This rifle is favored by several special operations and police forces globally for its accuracy, versatility, and dependability.

  G36: A German Heckler and Koch military rifle.

  GOTH-P: Go To Hell Plan

  GPS: Global Positioning System.

  HEDP: High Explosive-Dual Purpose. A 40mm grenade that combines high explosive with a secondary option like HEAT (High Explosive, Anti-Tank), HEAP (High Explosive, Anti-Personnel).

  HEMTT: Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck. An eight wheeled, heavy duty, cargo truck that can be converted into several variations. The M977 and M985 cargo trucks carry all types of equipment, especially ammunition. The M978 is a fuel tanker while the M983 is used for the Patriot missile system. The M984 is a recovery vehicle, somewhat like a heavy duty tow truck. A crane is mounted at the rear of most versions of the vehicle. The most recent version, the A3 is a diesel electric hybrid much like a train locomotive or a Toyota Prius.

  HK MK23: Heckler and Koch Mark 23. A handgun that won the Special Operations Offensive Handgun Weapon System, (OHWS), chambered in .45 caliber. It can be fitted with any of the following accessories: a Laser Aiming Module (LAM), sound suppressor, or a variety of optional sighting, and/or illumination accessories. Due to its overall size, some SPECOPS units prefer the Sig Sauer 226, 228 or the M9 Beretta. See SPECOPS

  HUD: Heads Up Display. A digital representation of information displayed on a visor, windshield or windscreen.

  HMMWV: High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle. Also known as the Hummeror Humvee. This vehicle replaced the M151 ‘Mutt’ Jeep. It can carry a squad of soldiers and be mounted with several different weapons systems, such as the M2 .50 caliber Heavy Machine Gun, the MK19 Automatic Grenade Launcher, the TOW missile system, 20mm Gatling guns, etc. The HMMWV can be configured into an ambulance, air defense system, troop transport, or command vehicle, etc., hence the ‘multipurpose’ in the name.

  HUMINT: Human Intelligence. Generally gathered by actual assets meaning agents on the ground and in the field.

  HYDRA 70: A 2.75 inch diameter or 70 mm unguided air to ground rocket which began to replace the Folding Fin Aerial Rocket (FFAR) unguided rocket in the mid 1980’s. Both the old MK4/40 and the newer MK 66 are 2.75 (70 mm) in diameter and carry different types of high explosive, flechette, air burst, illumination (flares) or smoke warheads. The MK 66 is longer than the MK 4/40, uses an improved smoke-less propellant, and has a completely new fin and nozzle assembly. The three fins are of the wrap-around type, and fit around the circumference of the rocket nozzle. Therefore the MK 66 is sometimes called a WAFAR (Wrap-Around Fin Aerial Rocket) instead of an FFAR. They are often fired from pods that have 19 of these rockets on each side of the aircraft in pairs, usually helicopter gunships such as the Marine AH-1A/B/C Cobra or the Army Apache (AH64). This gives each aircraft a minimum of 38 and up to 76 rockets. An upgrade planned for the Hydra system will be a guided warhead called the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) using the Hellfire Laser Designator. See FFAR.

  IBS: Inflatable Boat, Small. Used by various military forces for a variety of light duty on bodies of water. Sometimes referred to as a CRRC, Combat Rubber Raiding Craft pronounced ‘Crick’, or generically as a Zodiac. This can be stored in a US Submarine for use by SEALs, and other special operations units but has to be hand rowed or electric motored since gasoline cannot be stored in a submersible. See SEAL, Zodiac.

  IMDb: Internet Movie Database. An online website that contains information on just about any actress, actor, director, movie, producer, or screenwriter.

  INDOC: Basic indoctrination to naval special warfare. Most candidates will drop out at some time during this phase when they realize this field is not for them. This phase is prior to the official beginning of BUD/S and is sometimes referred to as Pre-BUD/S. This phase can last up to 6 weeks. See BUD/S.

  ISP: Internet Service Provider. Examples: AOL, Earthlink, etc.

  JAG: Judge Advocate General. The legal branch of the US military.

  JCS: Joint Chiefs of Staff. General officers representing all branches of the US military.

  JSOC: Joint Special Operations Command. Consisting of all US special operations forces and occasionally foreign special operations units. Pronounced ‘Jay-Sock’.

  K-Pot: Slang term describing the Kevlar combat helmet that replaced the old steel helmet.

  LAV 25/Stryker: Light Armored Vehicle (LAV). Using the same chassis and basic configuration of the USMC LAV is what the US Army is now calling the Stryker, or the M1126 Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV), or the Interim Armored Vehicle, or the LAV-III. The United States Marine version incorporates a small turret that has a 25mm ‘chain-gun’ (LAV-25) whereas the US Army version uses the M151 ‘Protector’ remote weapon system which contains a M2 .50 caliber heavy machine gun. The LAV/Stryker is a sloped front, eight-wheeled amphibious, light armored personnel carrier that can be configured into a command vehicle, a recon vehicle (LAV-R), an ambulance and many other options.

  LCS: Littoral Combat Ship. A fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation.

  LHA: Landing, Helicopter Assault/Amphibious Assault Ship. Has a wet well (the ability to ‘flood’ a small section of the interior of the ship) for amphibious operations and a small flight deck for helicopters and/or VSTOL aircraft. See VSTOL/VTOL.

  LID: Light Infantry Division. Example: 25th (LID) or 25th Light Infantry Division.

  LMTV: Light Medium Tactical Vehicle. A series of trucks that replaced the ancient 2.5 ton truck

  LPC: Leather Personnel Carrier. Slang term used by soldiers to
identify their footwear.

  LPD: Landing Platform Dock/Amphibious Transport Dock. This seagoing vessel has a wet well for smaller amphibious vessels to use as a point of embarkation, storage facilities for equipment and vehicles and a small flight deck for helicopters and/or VSTOL aircraft. (See VSTOL/VTOL).

  LPH: Landing Platform Helicopter. This is a support vessel for amphibious assault operations. Its appearance is that of a miniature aircraft carrier. Some LPHs can be used as a floating hospital after all the aircraft have been launched usually helicopters, AV8 Harrier VSTOL ‘jump jets’ and/or AV/MH/MV-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft. Similar to the LHA but has no wet well. See LHA, VSTOL, VTOL.

  LZ: Landing Zone. An area designated for helicopter landings which drops off cargo and troops.

  L85: The Enfield rifle most commonly issued to British military forces. Also referred to as the SA80. It is one of the few ‘Bullpup’ configured military rifles, meaning that the magazine is behind the trigger assembly.

  M2: A heavy machine gun in .50 caliber (12.7mm). Also known as the ‘Ma Deuce’ or MA2. Originally designed by John Browning and used since the 1920’s. It is the longest serving weapon in the US Military. It can be used on a tripod by infantry, but is more commonly mounted on a vehicle or ship.

  M4 Carbine: M4 Special Operations Peculiar Modification (SOPMOD). A shortened version of the full size M16 with barrel lengths of 18”-22”. Newer versions are also equipped with Picatinny slide rails for optical devices, scopes, passive laser systems, and additional weapon systems like the M203 or the M320 GLM. In some special cases, a shortened 12 gauge pump shotgun, originally a Remington 870 (what some refer to as the ‘key to the city’ configuration) has been replaced by the M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System (MASS). This features a magazine attachment for the shotgun. Essentially, the M4 is the replacement for the M16 incorporating many design changes, mostly internal.

  M9: The Beretta 92FS. The current designation of the sidearm universally adopted by all branches of the US Military. It is a 9mm handgun that replaced old ‘slab sides’ the Colt 1911 .45 caliber pistol.

  M16: Introduced in 1963 during the Vietnam War, it is now the standard infantry rifle for the US military since 1969. The current version is the M-16A4 and is typified by a Picatinny rail with which accessories such as scopes, flashlights, etc., are attached. All are chambered for the 5.56 mm round. See M-4, AR-15.

  M24: The M24 Sniper Weapon system is a military version of the Remington 700 bolt action hunting rifle. It will eventually be replaced with the M110 Semiautomatic Sniper Weapon system. Although, orders for the M24 are still being fulfilled by Remington as of February 2010.

  M37 Ithaca: A tactical shotgun that has the shoulder stock removed and a pistol-like grip in its place for easier handling in close quarters.

  M60: A Light Weight Machine Gun (LWMG) firing a 7.62mm bullet that can be belt fed, drum fed, vehicle mounted, tripod mounted, or hand carried. Popular in Rambo movies, the M60 has seen some modification over the years into the M60E3. The M60E3 has a shortened gas cylinder and an added a foregrip and integral bipod. This weapon is loosely based on the MG 42, the feared German machine gun of WWII.

  M110 Semiautomatic Sniper System (SASS): A highly modified SR25 rifle in use by US Army Ranger units and some Recon teams. Loosely based on the Stoner AR10 rifle which is an American made 7.62mm battle rifle.

  M203: A grenade launcher attachment. This is an under the barrel, 40mm, pump action, breech loaded, single shot grenade launcher. Mounts under the M4 or the full size M16 as well as several other military rifles. Increases firepower of the individual soldier and removes the position of a dedicated grenadier within a squad or platoon. Replaced the single shot M79 grenade launcher from the Vietnam era.

  M240: Heavier model SAW based on the M249 but chambered in 7.62mm, the same caliber as the M60. This medium weight machine gun can be belt fed, drum fed and has been seen with a box magazine attachment. See M249, SAW.

  M249: (MK48 Naval designation) The Minimi, or SAW for Squad Automatic Weapon. A Belgian (FN) manufactured LWMG or Light Weight Machine Gun. It is currently adopted by US forces and several countries. This machine gun fires the 5.56mm round same as the M16/M4. Can be belt fed, drum fed, or magazine fed or adapted to use the M16/M4 magazine. Usually comes with a lightweight bipod attached to the forward gas piston. Purchased to replace the older, heavier M60 Light Weight Machine Gun (LWMG). See SAW.

  M320 GLM: Grenade Launcher Module (GLM). The M320 is replacing the M203 as a single shot grenade launcher. It can be mounted on almost any military rifle or used in a stand-alone configuration. The major differences between the M320 and the M203 is that the 320 has a side opening breach where the 203 has a slide forward breach for reloading and unloading and the 320 can be used without being attached to a rifle. See M203.

  MAD: Mutual Assured Destruction. One of the reasons that the Cold War never went ‘Hot.’ The MAD theory describes that in a nuclear exchange with relatively evenly matched opponents, there will be mutual levels of destruction, and therefore no real winner.

  MAMC: Madigan Army Medical Center. Most military hospitals are referred to by abbreviations similar to this. Exceptions are Walter Reed, Bethesda, and so on.

  MASH: Mobile Auxiliary Surgical Hospital. Not exactly the television series by the same name. The last MASH was deactivated in 2006 and the equipment donated to Pakistan. It has been superseded by the Combat Surgical Hospital (CSH or cash). See CSH.

  MARPAT: Marine Pattern camouflage. Adopted by the USMC it contains a digital pattern style of camouflage, or ‘digi-pat’, with blends of green, tan, and gray.

  MC-130 Combat Talon: A four engine, propeller driven, cargo aircraft used by special operation services. Based on the C-130 Hercules transport, the MC-130 mission is the infiltration, pickup, and resupply of special operations forces, psychological operations support, and the air refueling of (primarily) special operations helicopter and tilt-rotor aircraft.

  MEU: Marine Expeditionary Unit.

  MFD: Multi-Function Display. A touch screen that allows the user to tap sections of the display to call up data

  MICH: Modular Integrated Combat/Communications Helmet. Yet another replacement for the Kevlar K-pot and an upgrade from the ACH. See ACH.

  Mil-Sats: Military Satellites. A slang term.

  MH-47: Modified Helicopter. The upgraded version of the Army’s CH-47 Chinook cargo helicopter. Based on the original airframe design from the early 1960’s, the MH model was developed for special operations and its major difference is the capability for in flight refueling and the advanced electronic cockpit.

  MH-60: Modified Helicopter. A heavily modified UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopter. It is designed for the insertion of special operation forces and differs mainly in electronics and in-flight refueling capability. It is equipped with at least 2-.50 caliber machine guns or miniguns in door mounts. Other weapon systems and Mission Support Stores in pods can be added or used as needed. Some of the ‘sling wings’ (helicopter pilots) also call this helicopter the ‘Cat Fish’.

  Minigun: The M134 (7.62mm) or M214 (5.56mm) Automatic Gun is sometimes referred to as a Minigun. Originally developed for use mounted in and on helicopters and light aircraft. Like most General Electric Gatling gun type weapons it has six rotating barrels and the potential for an absolutely incredibly high rate of fire. It is electrically driven, and has a firing rate that can be adjusted from 1000 rpm (Rounds Per Minute) all the way up to an unbelievable 10,000 rpm (yes, that’s 10,000 rounds per minute). It is usually in 7.62mm caliber, but other models (M61 Vulcan) are 20mm mounted in fighter aircraft such as the F-15, F-16, and F-18.

  MK19: Mark 19 Automatic Grenade Launcher. A belt fed 40mm, automatic grenade launcher capable of firing over 350 grenades a minute to a range of 2200 meters.

  MK43: Highly modified version of the venerable M60 or M60E3 Light Weight Machine Gun (LWMG) used specifically by Naval Special Warfare (NSW) units. See M60, NSW.

  MK48: Highly
modified version of the M249 SAW used specifically by NSW and special operations units. See NSW, M249, SAW.

  MOPP: Mission Oriented Protective Posture. Chemical, Biological, Radiological protective garment that is issued to military personnel when there is a possibility of operating within one or all of those environments. There are 4 levels to MOPP. Level 1 is the suit, hood, boots, gloves, and mask carried in their deployment pouch. Level 2 is the suit worn but not sealed. Level 3 is the suit, boots, and gloves worn. Level 4 is everything worn and the suit sealed. Not a very comfortable garment to wear for any length of time.

  MOS: Military Occupation Specialty. the alpha numerical designation for the job one does while in the US Military

  MOUT: Military Operations, Urban Terrain. Combat within an urban area i.e., cities. Some installations have training areas that resemble small towns with actual buildings although not normally with paved streets or actual glass in the windows. These training areas are designed to teach soldiers how to operate within built up areas.

  MP: Military Police. Sometimes referred to as ‘Mud Puppies’.

  MP5: German Heckler and Koch submachine gun. The Machine Pistol version 5 comes in various calibers from 9mm, .40 caliber to .45 caliber. There are 168 variations and 7 different trigger groups. The MP5 is used globally by police, military and paramilitary units.

  MP5N: Machine Pistol Version 5 Naval variant.

  MP5SD3: Machine Pistol Version 5. Made by the German firm of Heckler and Koch, this model has an integral suppressor meaning the suppressor is part of the actual barrel not an add-on attachment.

  MRAP: Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle.

  MRE: Meals, Ready to Eat. Jokingly referred to as Meals Rejected by Ethiopians or Meals Ready to be Expelled. The U.S. Military ration pack replacement for the traditional ‘C’ rations. It comes in a thick brown or tan plastic envelope, which has a complete meal inside including flatware, seasonings, moist towelette, chewing gum and matches. Some menu choices leave a lot to be desired. An MRE has the recommended daily amount of calories and vitamins in each packet, and rumor has it that they are supposed to be good for you.