Ed Macy - Apache

50 Cal:British Forces L1A1 Heavy Machine Gun – 12.7 mm (.50 inch) calibre tripod-mounted or vehicle-mounted automatic

A10:US Forces ground attack warplane nicknamed the Thunderbolt or Warthog

AA:Anti-Aircraft – known as ‘Double A’. A large calibre gun used against low-flying aircraft

AAA:Anti-Aircraft Artillery – known as ‘Triple A’. Very large calibre artillery pieces used to engage aircraft at higher altitudes than AA

AAC:Army Air Corps – corps of the British Army that operates helicopters and fixed wing aircraft

ADF:Automatic Direction Finder – Radio Navigation System

Affirm:Affirmative – air speak for Yes

Aircrew:People that crew the aircraft: pilots, navigators, door gunners and loadmasters

AH64:AH64A Apache – US Army Apache Attack Helicopter with no Radar, AH64D Longbow Apache – US Army Apache Attack Helicopter with Radar

AK47:Soviet assault rifle – 7.62 mm automatic

Altitude: Height above sea level, rather than ground level

ANA:Afghan National Army

ANP:Afghan National Police

Apache:Apache AH Mk1 – the British Army Apache Attack Helicopter – Built by Agusta Westland and all fitted with the Longbow Radar

APC:Armoured Personnel Carrier

APU:Auxiliary Power Unit – an engine used to power-up the main engines or to provide power to an aircraft on the ground

Armed Helicopter:A helicopter that has had a weapon system fitted but was primarily designed as a weapons platform

ASE:Aircraft Survivability Equipment – the HIDAS

ATO:Ammunition Technical Officer

Attack Helicopter:A helicopter that is designed around being a complete weapon system, rather than a weapon system designed to fit a helicopter

B1:B1 Lancer bomber – US Air Force high altitude long range supersonic strategic bomber

Bag, the:A blacked-out cockpit used to teach Apache pilots how to fly at night with sole reference from the monocle

Battlegroup:A battalion-sized fighting force

BDA:Battle Damage Assessment

Beirut unload:A rough and ready way of firing at something without risking the life of the firer. The firer stands behind cover and places the weapon over or around a wall and fires a full magazine of ammunition in the rough direction of the intended target – name derived from the methods of firing used in Beirut

Bergen:Army slang for a rucksack

Berm:A man-made ridge of earth, designed as an obstacle

Bingo:A nominated fuel amount that allows the Apache patrol commander enough warning to call for a RIP or to inform the ground troops that they have limited Apache time remaining

Bitching Betty:The Apache’s female cockpit voice warning system

Black Brain:The black kneeboard Apache pilots fly with on their thigh that contains everything that can’t be committed to memory and may be needed instantly in flight

Bone:The callsign for the US Air Force B1 Lancer bomber

BRF:Brigade Recce Force – recce troops for 3 Commando Brigade

Brigade:3 or 4 regiments of troops with all supporting troops

Buster:Fly at the fastest speed possible

C130:Hercules – a 4 propped military fixed wing transport plane used by most countries to move troops and equipment

C17:Boeing C17 Globemaster III – large US Air Force Strategic/Tactical Transport Plane

Calibre:The inside diameter of the barrel of a weapon

Carbine:Short barrelled SA80 with a pistol grip at the front – used by Apache pilots and tank crews – 5.56 mm automatic

Casevac:Casualty Evacuation

Cdo:Commando

CDS:Chief of the Defence Staff

CGS:Chief of the General Staff

CH47:Chinook – a large wide-bodied helicopter with two rotors on the top. Used by many countries for carrying troops – may also carry equipment inside or underslung below

Chicken Fuel:Just enough fuel to make it back direct line and land with the minimum fuel allowance

Chinook:See CH47

CIA:Central Intelligence Agency – US Government Intelligence

CMSL:CPG (Apache Gunner) has actioned the missile system – CPG’s Missiles

CO:Commanding Officer – Lieutenant Colonel in charge of a regiment, battalion or the JHF

Coalition:National Military Forces working together as one force

Collective Lever:The flying control to the left-hand side of the pilot’s seat; held in the left hand; when raised the Apache climbs and when lowered it descends

Combat Gas:Fuel that can be used at the target – this does not include transit fuel

Co-op:Co-operative rocket shoot – both of the Apaches’ crew working together to fire the rockets at the target

Cow:Taliban slang for the Chinook helicopter

CPG:Co-pilot Gunner – Front seat pilot in the Apache, known as ‘The Gunner’

Crow:Derogatory military slang for a very junior paratrooper

CRKT:CPG (Apache Gunner) has actioned the rocket system – CPG’s Rockets

CRV7:Canadian Rocket Vehicle 7 – the Apache’s rockets

Crypto:Cryptographic – Encoded information

Cyclic Stick:The flying control between the pilot’s legs, held by the right hand and used to speed up, slow down, dive and turn the Apache

Danger Close:The proximity to a weapon’s effect that is considered the last safe point when wearing body armour and combat helmets

Dasht-e-Margo:Desert of Death

DC:District Centre – the commercial/political/military centre of a particular area. Usually a building that once held power

Deep Raid:Striking the enemy deep within their own held territory without taking ground

Delta Hotel:Phonetic Alphabet for DH – air speak for Direct Hit – call made when a weapon system hits its intended target accurately

Desert Hawk:Small British UAV

DFC:Distinguished Flying Cross – awarded in recognition of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy in the air

DGSE:Direction Générale de la Sécurité – General Directorate for External Security – French Intelligence Agency

Dishdash:Loose kaftan-style outfit worn by many Afghan men

Doorman:Callsign for the British casevac Chinook

DPM:Disruptive Pattern Material – camouflaged print used on clothing and equipment

DTV:Day Television Camera – black and white TV image generated from the day camera in the TADS

DU:Depleted Uranium – kinetic bullets used by the A10

Dushka:Nickname of the DShK – Soviet built Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun – 12.7 mm (.50 cal)

Engine Power Levers:The throttles used for starting the Apache’s engines

ETA:Estimated Time of Arrival

EWO:Electronic Warfare Officer