Kevin Miller - Declared Hostile

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.

Mk-76— 25 lb. practice bomb, aka “blue death.”

Mother— radio reference for the aircraft carrier.

Ninety-Nine— radio broadcast call used to gain attention; i.e. “listen up.”

NORTHCOM— U. S. Northern Command

Nugget— first cruise pilot

NVGs— Night Vision Goggles

OPSO— Operations Officer

PLAT— Pilot Landing Aid Television; closed circuit video picture of flight deck operations.

Plug— take fuel from tanker.

Rhino — slang name for FA-18E/F Super Hornet.

ROE— Rules of Engagement

RPG— Rocket Propelled Grenade

RTB— Return to Base

SAM— Surface-to-air missile

SAR— Search and Rescue (CSAR is Combat Search and Rescue).

Seahawk — popular name for MH-60 series multi-mission helicopter.

Sidewinder — popular name for AIM-9 infrared heat seeking air-to-air missile.

Sierra — slang name for MH-60S Seahawk.

SLAM-ER— Standoff Land Attack Missile — Expanded Response.

SOF— Special Operating Forces

SOUTHCOM— U.S. Southern Command

Strike — tactical airspace controller/coordinator in vicinity of ship.

Super Hornet — popular name for upgraded FA-18E/F single seat or two-place Strike Fighter with increased range and payload; also known as “ Rhino.”

Texaco — nickname for a tanker aircraft, typically S-3B.

TLAM— Tomahawk Land Attack Missile; long range cruise missile launched from surface ships and submarines.

TOPGUN— Navy Fighter Weapons School, Fallon, NV

Trap— arrested landing

VAQ— Fixed Wing Electronic Attack squadron

VAW— Fixed Wing Early Warning squadron

VFA— Fixed Wing Fighter Attack squadron

VID— visual identification

Viper — slang name for F-16 Fighting Falcon.

VLS— Vertical Launch System; missile launchers found on cruisers and destroyers.

Winchester— out of ordnance

Wire— A 1.25” diameter steel cable stretched across carrier landing area to arrest tailhook aircraft, also known as “the cable” or “cross deck pendant.”

XO— Executive Officer

VFA-23 Blue Lancers (100) “ Raider ” FA-18F RR 7

VFA-54 Hells Angels (200) “ Hobo ” FA-18E RR 6

VFA-16 Firebirds (300) “ Ridgeline ” FA-18C RR 5

VFA-62 Hunters (400) “ Arrow ” FA-18E RR 8

VAQ-144 Gremlins (500) “ Comet ” EA-18G RR 1

VAW-129 Sea Shadows (600) “ Condor ” E-2C RR 2

HSC-18 Rustlers (610) “ Flintlock ” MH-60S RR 4

HSM-76 Whalers (700) “ Harpoon ” MH-60R RR 3

CDR Jim Wilson Commanding Officer Flip

CDR Jennifer Schofield Executive Officer Annie

LCDR Ted Armstrong Operations Officer Stretch

LCDR Sam Cutter Maintenance Officer Blade

LCDR Rich Freeman Administrative Officer Ripper

LCDR Kristin Teel Safety Officer Olive

LCDR Chester Brown Maint. Material Control Officer Chet

LT Mike Rhodes Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Dusty

LT Mark James Training Officer Trench

LT John Madden Quality Assurance Officer/LSO Coach

LT Eric Williams AV/ARM Division Officer Killer

LT Jacob Jensen Airframe Division Officer Big Jake

LT Ryan Rutledge Line Division Officer Ghost

LT Conner Davis Personnel Officer Irish

LTJG Tiffany Rourke Schedules Officer Macho

LTJG Joe Kessler NATOPS Officer/LSO Jumpin’

ENS Quan Smith Material Control Officer Quan

ENS Shane Duncan Intelligence Officer Wonder Woman

CWO4 Christian Short Ordnance Officer Gunner

Doctor Leighton Wheeler suppressed a yawn as he arched his back and stretched his arms. With nearly two hours to go in the cockpit of the Beech King Air , he fought the urge to sleep. Mercifully, a half-moon high above kept him company and provided a horizon out in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, but he lightly slapped his face to stay awake. He knew he was now, at this 1:00 am hour, in the trough of human performance, and he had to concentrate on his gyro horizon and altimeter. Five hundred feet — even with altitude hold engaged, it was unnerving to be so low over the black water underneath. He figured it didn’t make much of a difference. One hundred feet or one thousand feet; it looked the same over a dark ocean. He was tired, and the energy drink he had downed before take-off was now wearing off. He considered another one, but the physician in him rejected the idea. He twisted off the top of a plastic water bottle instead and took a long swig. He carefully replaced the top, and as he put the bottle back in the cup holder, he glanced at his fuel… a little over 2,200 pounds with 453 miles to go and fifteen knots of wind in his face. He would make it, but barely.