Ace
A term bestowed on aircrewGeneric term for any aircraft crew member, whether at the flight controls or not. who have downed five or more enemy aircraft in A/AAir-to-air. An aerial fight between two or more aircraft. combat.
AGR
Active Guard Reserve. A full-time air national guard reservist. Similar to FTSFull Time Support. A US Navy program that allows reservists to perform in positions as full-time active duty members, supporting the Navy Reserve Force..
AIC
Air Intercept Controller. A ground-, sea-, or air-based radar operator who controls the A/A intercepts of combat aircraft.
Air Boss
1) The officer in charge of all aircraft carrier operations involving aircraft on the flight deck and airborne in the immediate vicinity of the carrier.
2) Nickname for the Vice Admiral serving as Commander, Naval Air Forces who is responsible for the manning, training, and equipping of all aircraft, personnel, and the US Navy’s fleet of aircraft carriers.
Aircrew
Generic term for any aircraft crew member, whether at the flight controls or not.
ASCAN
Astronaut Candidate. Someone who is new to the astronaut corps and undergoing training.
CAG
An obsolete but more-easily spoken term for CVWCarrier Air Wing. A US Navy aviation organization composed of approximately eight independent squadrons that join as one team when deployed aboard an aircraft carrier.. Also, informal title for the CVW Commander, typically a US Navy Captain (O-6).
Callsign
A nickname aircrew use to address one another on the ground and in-flight, in lieu of using real names and ranks.
CFACC
Combined (alternatively, Coalition) Forces Air Component Commander. A military commander tasked to plan, direct, and control joint air operations within a specific theater of operations. See also, JFACCJoint Forces Air Component Commander. A military commander tasked to plan, direct, and control joint air operations within a specific theater of operations. See also, CFACC..
CICO
Combat Information Center Officer. One of the five crew members aboard an E-2 Hawkeye and the senior of the three NFOs manning the radar and communications equipment.
CNO
Chief of Naval Operations. The highest-ranking officer in the US Navy who reports directly to the Secretary of the Navy for the command, utilization of resources, and operating efficiency of the operating forces of the Navy.
CO
Commanding Officer. aka “Skipper”. The senior-ranking officer and individual in charge of a particular unit, such as a squadronAn aviation organization composed of aircrew, support personnel, aircraft, and equipment..
DOR
Drop On Request. The act of voluntarily terminating a training evolution or program.
ECMO
Electronic Countermeasures Officer. An NFO who crews the backseat of an EA-18G Growler.
FAC
Forward Air Controller. A pilot serving alongside ground forces, acting as a liaison with combat support aircraft.
FAIP
First Assignment Instructor Pilot (aka SERGRADSelectively Retained Graduate. A flight student who completes training and immediately remains at the squadron as an instructor despite having no fleet experience.). An instructor pilot who has not yet served in an operational squadron.
Flag Officer
A commissioned military officer who has attained the rank of general (land forces) or admiral (maritime forces), at the rank of O-7 or above.
FRS
Fleet Replacement Squadron. aka RAGReplacement Air Group. An obsolete but sometimes-used name for the FRS.. A US Navy training squadron that prepares pilots for operational service in fleet-specific aircraft.
FTS
Full Time Support. A US Navy program that allows reservists to perform in positions as full-time active duty members, supporting the Navy Reserve Force.
GCE
Ground Combat Element. A MAGTFMarine Air Ground Task Force. A principal United States Marine Corps organization that combines air-, land-, and sea-borne forces to conduct a wide array of military operations and humanitarian responses anywhere in the world. Comprised of a CE, ACE, GCE, and LCE. May take the form of a MEB, MEF, or MEU. component usually comprised of infantry and supported by armor (tanks), and artillery. May also include special units such as scouts or Force Reconnaissance, snipers and JTACJoint Terminal Attack Controller. A qualified service member, often an aviator, who directs the action of combat aircraft engaged in close air support and other offensive air operations from a forward position.s.
God
(See Fighter Pilot)
JFACC
Joint Forces Air Component Commander. A military commander tasked to plan, direct, and control joint air operations within a specific theater of operations. See also, CFACCCombined (alternatively, Coalition) Forces Air Component Commander. A military commander tasked to plan, direct, and control joint air operations within a specific theater of operations. See also, JFACC..
Joke
(See God)
JTAC
Joint Terminal Attack Controller. A qualified service member, often an aviator, who directs the action of combat aircraft engaged in close air support and other offensive air operations from a forward position.
LSO
Landing Signal Officer. A pilot who has the collateral duty of assisting in the safe and expeditious recovery of aircraft, usually aboard an aircraft carrier but also as required at airfields ashore.
Midshipman
A college student enrolled either at the US Naval Academy or in a Navy ROTCReserve Officer Training Corps. An officer commissioning program that allows students to attend non-service academies (i.e. public and private universities and colleges) where students pursue a bachelor’s degree while preparing for service as a commissioned officer in the military. program.
NFO
Naval Flight Officer. A US Navy commissioned officer assigned to non-pilot-in-control aerial duties such as weapons control, radar intercept, or electronic countermeasures.
Nugget
A first-tour aviator.
ODO
Operations Duty Officer. A squadron aviator responsible for executing the flight schedule. Manned by an instructor at a training squadron.
OHO
Ordnance Handling Officer. A aircraft carrier-assigned officer in charge of the ship’s ordnance.
OS
Operations Specialist. A rating for enlisted US Navy personnel who specialize in providing AICAir Intercept Controller. A ground-, sea-, or air-based radar operator who controls the A/A intercepts of combat aircraft..
Paddles
Slang term for an LSOLanding Signal Officer. A pilot who has the collateral duty of assisting in the safe and expeditious recovery of aircraft, usually aboard an aircraft carrier but also as required at airfields ashore..
POTUS
President of the United States.
RAC
Replacement Aircrew. An FRSFleet Replacement Squadron. aka RAG. A US Navy training squadron that prepares pilots for operational service in fleet-specific aircraft. student. Subdivided into one of four categories:
- Cat 1: initial training
- e.g. A newly-winged pilot
- Cat 2: conversion training
- e.g. An F-14 converting to the F/A-18
- Cat 3: refresher training following a long absence from flying
- e.g. A pilot returning to duty after a non-flying tour of duty
- Cat 4: miscellaneous
- e.g. A current F/A-18A-D pilot undergoing initial F/A-18E/F training).
RAG
Replacement Air Group. An obsolete but sometimes-used name for the FRS.
RIO
Radar Intercept Officer. An NFONaval Flight Officer. A US Navy commissioned officer assigned to non-pilot-in-control aerial duties such as weapons control, radar intercept, or electronic countermeasures. who crewed the backseat of an F-4 Phantom or F-14 Tomcat.
RO
Radar Operator. One of the five crew members aboard an E-2 Hawkeye, and typically the most junior of the three NFOs manning the radar and communications equipment.
ROTC
Reserve Officer Training Corps. An officer commissioning program that allows students to attend non-service academies (i.e. public and private universities and colleges) where students pursue a bachelor’s degree while preparing for service as a commissioned officer in the military.
RTU
Replacement Training Unit. (Air Force term.) A squadron that prepares pilots for operational service in fleet-specific aircraft.
SDO
Squadron Duty Officer. A squadron aviator who assists the ODOOperations Duty Officer. A squadron aviator responsible for executing the flight schedule. Manned by an instructor at a training squadron. during execution of the flight schedule. Manned by a student at a training squadron.