Glossary of Operation Names, Code Names, and Project Names
ABBREVIATIONS
A1C Airman First Class
A2C Airman Second Class
AAA Anti-aircraft Artillery
AB Air Base
ABCCC Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Centre
ABS Air Base Squadron
ABW Air Base Wing
ACCS Airborne Command and Control Squadron
ACG Air Commando Group
ACS Air Commando Squadron
ACW Air Commando Wing
AD Air Division
AD1 Aviation Machinist’s Mate Petty Officer First Class
AD2 Aviation Machinist’s Mate Petty Officer Second Class
AD3 Aviation Machinist’s Mate Petty Officer Third Class
ADC Aviation Machinist’s Mate Chief Petty Officer
ADF Automatic Direction Finder
ADJ Aviation Machinist’s Mate (Jet Engine Mechanic)
ADR Aviation Machinist’s Mate (Reciprocating Engine Mechanic)
AE2 Aviation Electrician’s Mate Petty Officer Second Class
AEAN Aviation Electrician’s Mate Airman
AEW Airborne Early Warning
AEW&C Airborne Early Warning and Control
AFB Air Force Base
AFC Air Force Cross
AM2 Aviation Metalsmith Petty Officer Second Class
AN Airman (US Navy)
ANG Air National Guard
APS Aerial Port Squadron
ARM Anti-radiation Missile
ARRG Air Rescue and Recovery Group
ARRS Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron
ARRW Air Rescue and Recovery Wing
ARS Air Refuelling Squadron
ARS Air Rescue Squadron
ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam
AS Attack Squadron (USAF)
ASW Anti-submarine Warfare
AT1 Aviation Electronics Technician Petty Officer First Class
AT2 Aviation Electronics Technician Petty Officer Second Class
AT3 Aviation Electronics Technician Petty Officer Third Class
ATN Aviation Electronics Technician (Navigation)
AWADS Adverse Weather Aerial Delivery System
AX Aviation Anti-Submarine Warfare Technician Petty Officer
BARCAP Barrier Combat Air Patrol
BDA Bomb Damage Assessment
BMC Chief Boatswain’s Mate
BS Bombardment Squadron
BS(P) Bombardment Squadron (Provisional)
BW Bombardment Wing
BW(P) Bombardment Wing (Provisional)
CAG Commander Air Group
CAP Combat Air Patrol
Capt Captain
CBU Cluster Bomb Units
CCK Ching Chuan Kang AB
CCTS Combat Crew Training Squadron
CCTW Combat Crew Training Wing
Cdr Commander
CDS Container Delivery System
CIA Central Intelligence Agency
CILH Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii
CINCPAC Commander-in-Chief Pacific
CMSgt Chief Master Sergeant
CO Commanding Officer
COD Carrier On-board Delivery
Col Colonel
CSG Combat Support Group
CVSG Anti-submarine Carrier Air Group
CVW Carrier Air Wing
Det Detachment
DFC Distinguished Flying Cross
DMZ Demilitarized Zone
DOW Died of Wounds
DPAA Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
DPMO Defense Prisoner of War Missing Personnel Office
ECM Electronic Counter-measures
ELINT Electronic Intelligence
Ens Ensign
EWO Electronic Warfare Officer
FAC Forward Air Control or Controller
FCS Fighter Commando Squadron
FG Fighter Group
FIS Fighter Interceptor Squadron
FIW Fighter Interceptor Wing
FLIR Forward-looking Infra-red
FS Fighter Squadron
FTW Flying Training Wing
FW Fighter Wing
GCA Ground Controlled Approach
GCI Ground Controlled Interception
GRADS Ground Radar Aerial Delivery System
H&MS Marine Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron
HC Navy Helicopter Combat Support Squadron
HU Navy Helicopter Utility Squadron
IFF Identification, Friend or Foe
JATO Jet Assisted Take Off
JCS Joint Chiefs of Staff
JPAC Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command
JPRC Joint Personnel Recovery Center
JTF Joint Task Force
JTF-FA Joint Task Force – Full Accounting
KIA Killed in Action
KWF Killed While Flying
LAPES Low-altitude Parachute Extraction System
LGB Laser-guided Bomb
LLTV Low-light Level Television
LNRS Limited Night Recovery System
LORAN Long-range Aid to Navigation
LS Landing Site
LSO Landing Signal Officer
Lt Lieutenant
Lt(jg) Lieutenant (Junior Grade)
Lt Cdr Lieutenant Commander
Lt Col Lieutenant Colonel
LZ Landing Zone
MAC Military Airlift Command
MACVSOG Military Assistance Command Vietnam, Studies and Observations Group
MAG Marine Aircraft Group
MATS Military Air Transport Service
MAW Marine Aircraft Wing
MCAS Marine Corps Air Station
MIA Missing in Action
MiGCAP MiG Combat Air Patrol
MSgt Master Sergeant
MTU Marine Task Unit
NAS Naval Air Station
NFO Naval Flight Officer
NKP Nakhon Phanom RTAB
NORAD North American Air Defense Command
NVA North Vietnamese Army
OG Operations Group
OL Operating Location
PACAF Pacific Air Force
PARC Pacific Air Rescue Center
PCS Permanent Change of Station
PJ Pararescue Jumper
POL Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants
POW Prisoner of War
RAF Royal Air Force
RDF Radio Direction Finding
RESCAP Rescue Combat Air Patrol
RHAW Radar Homing and Warning
RIO Radar Intercept Officer
RS Reconnaissance Squadron
RTAB Royal Thai Air Base
RVAH Navy Heavy Reconnaissance Attack Squadron
RW Reconnaissance Wing
SAC Strategic Air Command
SAM Surface-to-air Missile
SAR Search and Rescue
SAS Special Activities Squadron
SATS Short Airfield for Tactical Support
SEA Southeast Asia
SEAL Sea, Air, Land (commando)
SEATO Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation
SFC Sergeant First Class (Army)
Sgt Sergeant
SIGINT Signals Intelligence
SMSgt Senior Master Sergeant
SOS Special Operations Squadron
SOW Special Operations Wing
SRS Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron
SRW Strategic Reconnaissance Wing
SS Security Squadron
SSgt Staff Sergeant
STOL Short Take Off and Landing
SW Strategic Wing
TAC Tactical Air Command
TAC(A) Tactical Air Controller (Airborne)
TACG Tactical Air Control Group
TARCAP Target Combat Air Patrol
TAS Tactical Airlift Squadron
TASG Tactical Air Support Group
TASS Tactical Air Support Squadron
TAW Tactical Airlift Wing
TBG Tactical Bombardment Group
TBS Tactical Bombardment Squadron
TCG Troop Carrier Group or Tactical Control Group
TCS Troop Carrier Squadron
TCW Troop Carrier Wing or Tactical Control Wing
TDY Temporary Duty
TEWS Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron
TF Task Force
TFR Terrain-following Radar
TFG Tactical Fighter Group
TFS Tactical Fighter Squadron
TFW Tactical Fighter Wing
TG Tactical Group
TRIM Trails, Roads, Interdiction Multisensor
TRS Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
TRW Tactical Reconnaissance Wing
TSgt Technical Sergeant
USAAC United States Army Air Corps
USAAF United States Army Air Force
USAF United States Air Force
USAFE United States Air Force in Europe
USCG United States Coast Guard
USMC United States Marine Corps
USN United States Navy
USS United States Ship
VA Navy Attack Squadron
VAL Navy Light Attack Squadron
VC Viet Cong
VF Navy Fighter Squadron
VFP Navy Light Photographic Squadron
VFR Visual Flight Rules
VMA Marine Attack Squadron
VMA(AW) Marine All-weather Attack Squadron
VMCJ Marine Composite Reconnaissance Squadron
VMF(AW) Marine All-weather Fighter Squadron
VMFA Marine Fighter Attack Squadron
VMGR Marine Aerial Refueller Transport Squadron
VMO Marine Observation Squadron
VNAF Vietnamese Air Force (South Vietnam)
VP Navy Patrol Squadron
VPAF Vietnamese People’s Air Force (North Vietnam)
VQ Navy Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron
VR Navy Fleet Logistics Support Squadron
VRC Navy Tactical Support Squadron
VSF Navy Anti-submarine Fighter Squadron
VW Navy Fleet Early Warning Squadron
WO1 Warrant Officer 1st Class
WSO Weapons Systems Officer (navigator)
WWS Wild Weasel Squadron
YM Yeoman Petty Officer
2Lt Second Lieutenant
GLOSSARY OF OPERATION NAMES, CODE NAMES AND PROJECT NAMES
Able Mable
RF-101C photographic reconnaissance detachments based in Thailand and South Vietnam for operations over Laos
Arc Light
SAC tactical B-52 operations in Southeast Asia prior to Linebacker II
Barrel Roll
Air interdiction campaign in northern and central Laos in support of Royal Lao operations against Pathet Lao and NVA forces
Bat Cat
EC-121R ELINT aircraft
Bell Tone
USAF air defence detachment at Don Muang RTAB commencing 1961
Big Eye
USAF EC-121 airborne warning and control aircraft (later called College Eye)
Black Spot
Modified C-123K with sensors and weapons for night interdiction missions over the Ho Chi Minh trail
Blindbat
USAF C-130 flareship operations
Blue Tree
US photographic reconnaissance operations over North Vietnam
Brown Cradle
Electronic warfare modification package for EB-66 aircraft
Candlestick
C-123 and C-130 flareship operations
Carolina Moon
Operation by a special C-130 detachment to bomb the Thanh Hoa bridge by using a special shaped mine in May/June 1966
College Eye
USAF EC-121 airborne warning and control aircraft (renamed from Big Eye)
Combat Lancer
Initial deployment of the F-111A to Thailand in March 1968
Combat Skyspot
MSQ-77 radar-controlled bombing system and missions
Combat Talon
C-130 aircraft modified for use in Special Operations
Combat Tree
APX-80 IFF detection system
Commando Club
TPQ-81 and TACAN radar site at Lima Site 85 in northern Laos
Commando Hunt
Interdiction campaigns against infiltration routes on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos
Commando Sabre
USAF F-100F fast FAC operations in high-threat areas
Constant Guard
Deployment of tactical aircraft to Southeast Asia in 1972 as a result of the North Vietnamese Spring Invasion
Covey
Radio call sign of FACs of the 20th TASS when operating over North Vietnam and Laos
Crown
Airborne rescue command post
Dixie Station
Position in South China Sea for US aircraft carrier operations over South Vietnam
Eagle Pull
Evacuation of US and other personnel from Phnom Penh in April 1975
Fan Song
Fire control radar for the SA-2 SAM system
Farm Gate
Initially Detachment 2A, 4400 CCTS but subsequently applied to other early air commando units in South Vietnam
Flaming Dart
US air raids on North Vietnam on 7 and 11 February 1965 in response to VC attacks on American bases in South Vietnam
Freedom Train
Limited air campaign against North Vietnam starting 5 April 1972 in response to the Spring Invasion
Frequent Wind
Evacuation of US and other personnel from Saigon in April 1975
Giant Dragon
SAC U-2 reconnaissance operations in Southeast Asia
Giant Scale
SR-71A reconnaissance operations in Southeast Asia
Glowing Heat
Deployment of SR-71A to and from Kadena AB from the USA
Green Python
RF-101C photographic reconnaissance detachment at Udorn RTAB
Habu
Nickname for the SR-71A, also used to describe SR-71A operational flights over Southeast Asia
Hawkeye
Experimental USAF RC-47 RDF operations
Hillsboro
USAF C-130 airborne command post operating over the Steel Tiger area
Hilo Hattie
Experimental USAF RDF, photographic and infra-red reconnaissance operations using an HC-54
Ho Chi Minh Trail
Network of roads, trails and tracks stretching from North Vietnam through Laos and Cambodia to South Vietnam and used for infiltration and resupply by the North Vietnamese
Homecoming
Repatriation of US POWs from Hanoi and South Vietnam in February and March 1973
Igloo White
Electronic surveillance system to detect movement on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos
Iron Hand
Suppression of enemy air defence operations, particularly AAA and SAMs
Jolly Green (Giant)
Radio call sign and nickname for the USAF HH-3 and HH-53 SAR helicopters
Jungle Jim
Early code name for the Air Commando’s 4400th CTS based at Eglin AFB, Fla
King
USAF HC-130P airborne rescue command post (previously Crown)
Lima Site
Temporary landing site or radar site in Laos, used primarily by SAR forces, Ravens, Air America or Special Forces
Linebacker I
Air campaign against North Vietnam from April to October 1972
Linebacker II
Air campaign against North Vietnam in December 1972
Lucky Dragon
SAC U-2 reconnaissance operations in Southeast Asia
Market Time
USN air and surface vessel patrols along the coast of South Vietnam intended to interdict the resupply of VC units
Misty
Radio call sign of Commando Sabre F-100F fast FAC aircraft
Mule Train
Initial USAF C-123 detachment to South Vietnam in January 1962
Nail
Radio call sign of FACs of the 23rd TASS operating over South Vietnam and Laos
Niagara
USAF strike operations in support of the defence of Khe Sanh, January to March 1968
Night Owl
Radio call sign and operations by the 8th TFW using F-4s to conduct night FAC and interdiction operations over the Ho Chi Minh Trail
Patricia Lynn
USAF RB-57E reconnaissance aircraft and operations using advanced day and night infra-red sensors and cameras
Pave Aegis
Refit programme of AC-130 aircraft with a 105mm howitzer
Pave Eagle
Beech QU-22 electronic reconnaissance aircraft used to relay data collected by the Igloo White sensor system
Pave Nail
Night observation system used by some USAF OV-10As in 1972
Pave Pronto
AC-130A Gunship II programme
Pave Spectre
AC-130E Gunship II programme
Pave Way
Laser, electro-optical or infra-red guidance system for bombs
Pedro
Radio call sign and nickname of HH-43 base rescue helicopter
Phyllis Ann
USAF RC-47/EC-47 RDF operations
Pierce Arrow
USN retaliatory strike against North Vietnam on 5 August 1964 following the Gulf of Tonkin Incident
Pipe Stem
RF-101C photographic reconnaissance detachment at Tan Son Nhut in 1961
Prairie Fire
Clandestine cross-border ground reconnaissance into Laos and North Vietnam by US Special Forces for strike control and BDA purposes (renamed from Shining Brass)
Pocket Money
Aerial mining operations against North Vietnamese harbours commencing May 1972
Proud Deep
Protective reaction strikes against North Vietnam in December 1971 in response to build-up of SAMs near the DMZ
Ranch Hand
USAF C-123 defoliation and herbicide unit and its operations
Raven
USAF FAC pilots operating clandestinely in Laos as civilians
Red Crown
Early warning and air control ship stationed in the northern Gulf of Tonkin to provide support to air operations over North Vietnam
Rolling Thunder
US air campaign against North Vietnam between March 1965 and October 1968
Route Packages
Numbered geographical areas of North Vietnam designated by CINCPAC to facilitate Rolling Thunder bombing operations
Rustic
Radio call sign of FACs when operating over Cambodia
Sandy
Radio call sign of A-1 rescue escort operations
Senior Crown
USAF SR-71A high-altitude, high-speed reconnaissance aircraft programme
Shadow
Radio call sign and nickname for AC-119G gunship aircraft
Shining Brass
Clandestine cross-border ground reconnaissance into Laos and North Vietnam by US Special Forces for strike control and BDA purposes (renamed Prairie Fire)
Shufly
Early USMC helicopter detachment to South Vietnam
Skoshi Tiger
USAF operational test and evaluation programme for the F-5 in South Vietnam
Spad
Radio call sign and nickname for A-1 aircraft
Spectre
Radio call sign and nickname for AC-130 gunship aircraft
Spooky
Radio call sign and nickname for AC-47 gunship aircraft
Steel Tiger
Designated geographic area of southern Laos and interdiction operations on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in that area
Stinger
Radio call sign and nickname for AC-119K gunship aircraft
Tally Ho
Air interdiction operations in Route Package I of North Vietnam
Tiger Hound
Air interdiction operations in southeastern Laos as part of the Steel Tiger campaign
Trojan Horse
SAC U-2 reconnaissance operations
Tropic Moon III
B-57G fitted with LLTV and other sensors for night attacks on infiltration routes
Water Glass
F-102 air defence detachments in South Vietnam in 1962 and 1963
Water Pump
Detachment 6, 1st ACW deployed to Udorn to train Thai and Laotian pilots in 1964 and later applied to Detachment 1, 56th SOW at Udorn
Wild Weasel
USAF F-100F and F-105F aircraft and operations dedicated to locating and destroying SAM sites
Yankee Station
Position in Gulf of Tonkin for US aircraft carrier operations over North Vietnam and Laos
Yankee Team
Early US air reconnaissance operations in northern Laos