TOC — Tactical operations center. This is the command post where the operations and intelligence staff monitors and controls the battle, receives reports from subordinate units, sends reports to higher headquarters and develops operations orders an intelligence estimates based on information coming from higher and lower sources. Other elements, such as the artillery fire-support officer, or FSO, are normally part of the TOC.
TOE — Pronounced T-O-E, not toe, it stands for 'table of organization and equipment,' a document that prescribes how much and what type of equipment and personnel a unit is supposed to have. A unit that has its full TOE has all assigned equipment and personnel. An MTOE is a modified TOE used in units whose mission requires special equipment.
TOW — Short for 'tube-launched, optically tracked wire-guided.' The TOW is the primary heavy antitank guided missile for both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps. It has an effective range of 3,750 meters and cane fired from a variety of platforms ranging from a ground tripod to attack helicopters. Introduced in 1970, it has seen service in Vietnam and in the Middle East, where it was a decisive factor in the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.
Tracers — Ammunition containing a chemical substance that leaves a luminous trail when fired, enabling the firer to see whether his rounds are reaching the target. Machine gun ammunition is usually issued with one tracer round for every four rounds of ball ammunition. Large-caliber rounds for direct-fire weapons, 20mm. and above, normally have a tracer element on every round.
Traffic Regulator — Personnel in the Soviet Army who direct the flow of traffic. They are usually placed at critical points where convoys must turn, to ensure that the convoy turns in the proper direction or to sort out traffic jams. Turret Defilade-A defensive posture assumed by a fighting vehicle that allows its personnel to view its assigned sector of responsibility without exposing the bulk of the vehicle.
UH-60 Blackhawk — A combat assault transport, or utility helicopter. This helicopter is currently replacing the Vietnam-era UH-1, or Huey. The Blackhawk has a crew of three and can carry eleven fully armed troops, six wounded in litters or four tons of cargo that can be sling-loaded. It has maximum speed of 184 mph, a cruising speed of 167 mph and an operational range of 373 miles that includes a thirty-minute reserve.
Warthog — See A-10.
Watchcon Level — Level of military-intelligence activity used to indicate the amount and nature of intelligence that will be gathered. As the Watchcon level increases, more intelligence assets are used to gather information concerning a possible threat or to provide early warning.
Wizzo — An Air Force slang term used to refer to the radar weapons-systems operator in the backseat of a dual-seater aircraft. Also called a backseater, 'gator, fighter gator guy-in-back, and ace of gauges.
XO — Short for 'executive officer,' the officer second in command of a unit. Sometimes the XO is referred to as a deputy commander, as in the Red Army.
Acknowledgments
In putting this project together, I was assisted by a number of references and people. While it is not possible to name all the sources or people, I would like to acknowledge those books that were most useful and those people who were most helpful.
Those books that were invaluable, in order of priority, were:
Iran: A Country Study (DA PAM 550-68), fourth printing, edited by Richard F. Nyrop, published by the U.S. Government Printing Office.
U.S.-Soviet Military Balance, 1960–1980, by John M. Collins, published by McGraw-Hill Book Company.
Whirlwind, by James Clavell, published by William Morrow and Company, Inc.
Revolutionary Iran: Challenge and Response in the Middle East, by R. K. Ramazani, published by The John Hopkins University Press.
How to Make War, by James Dunnigan, published by William Morrow and Company, Inc.
The U.S. Rapid Deployment Forces, by David Eshel, published by Arco Publishing, Inc.
USAF.E.: A Primer of Modern Air Combat in Europe, by Michael Skinner, published by Presidio Press.
A number of people assisted in the effort by reading, editing and commenting on the rough drafts as well as providing technical assistance. I owe a great deal to them for their patience, their assistance and their willingness to give of their time. They include Tom Clancy, mentor; Jan Ciganick, good friend; William L. Nash, Lieutenant Colonel, Armor; David Hilliard, Major, Field Artillery; Mat Kriwanek, Major, Infantry; Don King, Major, Mississippi National Guard, Field Artillery; Kevin Grady, Major, U.S. Air Force; Joanne Moore, Major, U.S. Air Force; Mark Gumpf, Captain, Airborne Infantry.
Finally, I owe a great deal to my wife, Pat, for her encouragement and tolerance, and to my children for patience above and beyond the call of duty.
To all those who contributed and assisted in making this book a reality, thanks.
