Glossary of Terms
AAA
Anti-aircraft artillery
AATTV
Australian Army Training Team – Vietnam
Admin
Slang for administration
AHC
Assault Helicopter company
AHSC
Assault Helicopter Support Company
AK47
The standard semi-automatic rifle used by the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong
Anzac Day
Australia’s national day to commemorate its war dead. ANZAC is an acronym for Australian and New Zealand Army corps
ARVN
Army of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam)
Badcoe Club
An Australian recreation facility at Vung Tau. Named after Captain Peter Badcoe, a posthumous Victoria Cross winner who served with the AATTV
BEM
British Empire Medal
Berm
American slang for the perimeter earth wall and bunker defenses which surrounded fire support bases and other camps
Bushranger
RAAF UH-1H gunships. In the 1800s bushrangers were bandits who roamed the Australian bush searching for victims.
C&C
Command and control
C rations
Combat Rations
Canister
Fragmentation type of artillery round devastating in effect against ‘soft’ targets such as infantry moving in the open
Charlie
Nickname for enemy troops and, in particular, the Viet Cong. Also the nickname of the UH-1C Iroquois/Huey helicopter
Chicken plate
Body armour worn by aircrew
Chinook
Twin rotor medium lift helicopter. Often used to recover smaller helicopters such as the Huey
Chopper
Slang for helicopter
CO
Commanding Officer
Cobra
A purpose-built, two-seat armed attack helicopter
Connex
Trade name for a large type of metal shipping container
C123
Provider. Twin-engined American transport aircraft
Delta
Usual form of reference for the Mekong Delta in southern South Vietnam
DFC
Distinguished Flying Cross
D Model
An earlier and less powerful variant of the Iroquois/Huey helicopter
DMZ
Demilitarised Zone – the border between North and South Vietnam. Set on the 17th Parallel
DSC
Distinguished Service Cross
DUST OFF
Acronym for ‘Dedicated Untiring Support To Our Fighting Forces’. A term used to describe the battlefield evacuation of casualties by helicopter. The RAAF term for such operations was CASEVAC (casualty evacuation)
Eagle flights
Small-scale helicopter operations used against smaller sized or elusive enemy forces
EMU
Experimental Military Unit. Also the nick-name of the 135th AHC
FAA
Fleet Air Arm
Flak jacket
Bullet/shrapnel resistant sleeveless vest often worn in conjunction with ‘chicken plate’ body armour
Flareship
A fixed or rotary wing aircraft armed with flares and used to provide battlefield illumination during night operations
Flare
The manner in which helicopters raise their nose to rapidly lose speed on landing
Free World Forces
Collective name for the various allied forces which served in Vietnam
FSB
Fire Support Base. American, South Vietnamese or Australian fortified camp containing artillery and a protective force of infantry. An FSB’s role was to provide ‘Friendly’ forces within range of the FSB with artillery and mortar fire.
F100
Super Sabre. Obsolete American jet fighter used in the ground attack role during the Vietnam War
GCA
Ground Control Approach. A radar landing aid used to assist aircraft in poor weather conditions
Glow-worm
Specially modified Huey helicopter fitted with a bank of aircraft landing lights in one door. Used to provide night-time battlefield illumination
Greens
Short for jungle greens, the standard Australian forces combat uniform of the Vietnam era
Greyhounds
The name and mascot of the 222nd Assault Helicopter Support Company
Ground fire
Gunfire directed at aircraft
Grunts
Slang for ground troops-particularly infantry
Guns
Slang for gunship
Gunship
Armed attack helicopter
Hash and trash
Slang for general support missions – delivering freight, food, mail and other requirements to forward troops
Helo
Slang for helicopter
HMAS Albatross
The Australian navy Fleet Air Arm’s air station at Nowra on the south coast of New south Wales
HMAS Melbourne
Her Majesty’s Australian Ship Melbourne - a light fleet aircraft carrier equipped with jet fighters, anti-submarine aircraft and helicopters, which was the flagship of the RAN for many years
HMAS Sydney
Her Majesty’s Australian Ship Sydney - a converted aircraft carrier used as a transport vessel during the Vietnam War
HMAS Vengeance
Her Majesty’s Australian Ship Vengeance – a light fleet carrier leased by the Australian navy from the British during the mid-1950s
M16
Standard semi-automatic rifle issued to American troops in Vietnam
H model
The main variant of the Huey helicopter used by the 135th AHC and 9 Squadron in Vietnam
Hootch
American slang for tent or sleeping quarters
Anti-aircraft artillery
AATTV
Australian Army Training Team – Vietnam
Admin
Slang for administration
AHC
Assault Helicopter company
AHSC
Assault Helicopter Support Company
AK47
The standard semi-automatic rifle used by the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong
Anzac Day
Australia’s national day to commemorate its war dead. ANZAC is an acronym for Australian and New Zealand Army corps
ARVN
Army of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam)
Badcoe Club
An Australian recreation facility at Vung Tau. Named after Captain Peter Badcoe, a posthumous Victoria Cross winner who served with the AATTV
BEM
British Empire Medal
Berm
American slang for the perimeter earth wall and bunker defenses which surrounded fire support bases and other camps
Bushranger
RAAF UH-1H gunships. In the 1800s bushrangers were bandits who roamed the Australian bush searching for victims.
C&C
Command and control
C rations
Combat Rations
Canister
Fragmentation type of artillery round devastating in effect against ‘soft’ targets such as infantry moving in the open
Charlie
Nickname for enemy troops and, in particular, the Viet Cong. Also the nickname of the UH-1C Iroquois/Huey helicopter
Chicken plate
Body armour worn by aircrew
Chinook
Twin rotor medium lift helicopter. Often used to recover smaller helicopters such as the Huey
Chopper
Slang for helicopter
CO
Commanding Officer
Cobra
A purpose-built, two-seat armed attack helicopter
Connex
Trade name for a large type of metal shipping container
C123
Provider. Twin-engined American transport aircraft
Delta
Usual form of reference for the Mekong Delta in southern South Vietnam
DFC
Distinguished Flying Cross
D Model
An earlier and less powerful variant of the Iroquois/Huey helicopter
DMZ
Demilitarised Zone – the border between North and South Vietnam. Set on the 17th Parallel
DSC
Distinguished Service Cross
DUST OFF
Acronym for ‘Dedicated Untiring Support To Our Fighting Forces’. A term used to describe the battlefield evacuation of casualties by helicopter. The RAAF term for such operations was CASEVAC (casualty evacuation)
Eagle flights
Small-scale helicopter operations used against smaller sized or elusive enemy forces
EMU
Experimental Military Unit. Also the nick-name of the 135th AHC
FAA
Fleet Air Arm
Flak jacket
Bullet/shrapnel resistant sleeveless vest often worn in conjunction with ‘chicken plate’ body armour
Flareship
A fixed or rotary wing aircraft armed with flares and used to provide battlefield illumination during night operations
Flare
The manner in which helicopters raise their nose to rapidly lose speed on landing
Free World Forces
Collective name for the various allied forces which served in Vietnam
FSB
Fire Support Base. American, South Vietnamese or Australian fortified camp containing artillery and a protective force of infantry. An FSB’s role was to provide ‘Friendly’ forces within range of the FSB with artillery and mortar fire.
F100
Super Sabre. Obsolete American jet fighter used in the ground attack role during the Vietnam War
GCA
Ground Control Approach. A radar landing aid used to assist aircraft in poor weather conditions
Glow-worm
Specially modified Huey helicopter fitted with a bank of aircraft landing lights in one door. Used to provide night-time battlefield illumination
Greens
Short for jungle greens, the standard Australian forces combat uniform of the Vietnam era
Greyhounds
The name and mascot of the 222nd Assault Helicopter Support Company
Ground fire
Gunfire directed at aircraft
Grunts
Slang for ground troops-particularly infantry
Guns
Slang for gunship
Gunship
Armed attack helicopter
Hash and trash
Slang for general support missions – delivering freight, food, mail and other requirements to forward troops
Helo
Slang for helicopter
HMAS Albatross
The Australian navy Fleet Air Arm’s air station at Nowra on the south coast of New south Wales
HMAS Melbourne
Her Majesty’s Australian Ship Melbourne - a light fleet aircraft carrier equipped with jet fighters, anti-submarine aircraft and helicopters, which was the flagship of the RAN for many years
HMAS Sydney
Her Majesty’s Australian Ship Sydney - a converted aircraft carrier used as a transport vessel during the Vietnam War
HMAS Vengeance
Her Majesty’s Australian Ship Vengeance – a light fleet carrier leased by the Australian navy from the British during the mid-1950s
M16
Standard semi-automatic rifle issued to American troops in Vietnam
H model
The main variant of the Huey helicopter used by the 135th AHC and 9 Squadron in Vietnam
Hootch
American slang for tent or sleeping quarters
Hot refuel
The refueling of helicopters while their engines are still running
Hot/cold LZ
Term used to describe enemy activity in a landing zone. The LZ was ‘hot’ if the enemy were present and ‘cold’ if there was no enemy activity
Huey
Common name for the UH-1 Iroquois utility helicopter
HQ
Headquarters
IFR
Instrument Flight Rules
Incoming
Term used to describe the arrival of enemy artillery fire
In country
Term used to refer to service within Vietnam
Infusees
Small groups of replacement personnel posted into a unit on a regular basis to ensure that the unit’s personnel do not all complete their tours of duty together, thereby creating a severe experience drain
Iroquois
Official name of the UH-1 helicopter. More commonly known by American forces as the Huey
Jungle penetrator
Device attached to the end of a helicopter winch cable to enable the cable to penetrate thick jungle for the insertion or extraction of troops
LZ
Helicopter landing zone (pronounced ell zee)
MEDIVAC
Medical Evacuation. An Australian term referring to the evacuation or more seriously wounded casualties to Australia, usually in specially rigged C130 Hercules transport aircraft. Also used to describe the battlefield evacuation of casualties by helicopter
MID
Mentioned in dispatches – a commendation for meritorious service or bravery
MP
Military Police
NCO
Non-Commissioned Officer
Nomex
Trade name of a type of fire-resistant flying clothing
Nowra
A naval Air Station on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia. Known as HMAS Albatross, it is the home of the RAN Fleet air arm
NVA
North Vietnamese Army
OIC
Officer In Charge
PSP
Perforated Steel Plate – a form of metal matting which can be rapidly laid to form runways and hard standing areas
PX
Post Exchange. A US forces shop providing consumer and services at a heavily discounted rate to service personnel
Qual
Slang for qualification
RAN
Royal Australian Navy
RANHFV
Royal Australian Navy Helicopter Flight – Vietnam
RAAF
Royal Australian Air force
Rangers
South Vietnamese Special Forces troops
RAR
Royal Australian Regiment. 1RAR was the 1st Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment, 2RAR the 2nd Battalion etc.
Rating
A naval non-commissioned sailor
Regional/Popular Forces
South Vietnamese troops differing in role and training from the ARVN. Regional Forces (RF) came under the direct control of a province chief and usually only operated within that province. They were equipped and trained to a lower standard than the ARVN. Popular Forces (PF) were armed villagers trained to defend their hamlets from small-scale Viet Cong attacks
RNZAF
Royal New Zealand Air Force
Rotor wash
Down blast from a helicopter’s main rotor
RPG
Rocket Projectile Grenade. More commonly but incorrectly known as a Rocket Propelled Grenade, a highly effective explosive weapon carried by the Viet Minh and Viet Cong
Saigon
Capital of the Republic of Vietnam. Now Ho Chi Minh City
SAS
Special Air Service – Australian Special Forces troops highly skilled on reconnaissance and deep jungle penetration operations
Scrounger
One who is adept at acquiring hard-to-get equipment and materials for one’s unit by any means – legal or otherwise – possible
Seabee
US Navy Construction Battalion troops
SEAL
Sea, Air, and Land Team. US Navy Special Forces personnel
Ship
American slang for helicopter/aircraft
Slick
Lightly armed troop-carrying helicopter
Spider hole
Concealed one-man defensive positions dug into the ground, which often had a concrete lid on top enabling the occupant to suddenly appear, fire at targets, and disappear before return fire could be aimed at them.
Tan Son Nhut
Saigon’s international airport. For many years during the Vietnam War it was reputed to be the busiest airport in the world
Taipan
Call sign for the 135th AHC’s Gunship Platoon
Tet
Vietnamese lunar New Year
USA
United State Army
USAF
United States Air Force
VB
Victoria Bitter - a popular brand of Australian beer
VC
Viet Cong – South Vietnamese based and recruited communist insurgent force
Vietnamisation
A term used to describe the transfer o combat responsibilities form ‘Free World’ forces to the South Vietnamese
Viet Minh
North Vietnamese Regular Army
VIP
Very Important Person
VNAF
(South) Vietnam Air Force
XO
Executive Officer. The second-in-command of United States Army units such as assault helicopter companies
1ATF
1st Australian Task Force – the major Australian military force operating in Vietnam
1AFH
1st Australian Field Hospital
100 knot tape
Also known as 100 mile per hour or instant airframe tape in Australian use. It was a green material-based tape of extreme durability and strength used to patch bullet holes and other minor structural damage prior to more permanent repairs being effected.
The refueling of helicopters while their engines are still running
Hot/cold LZ
Term used to describe enemy activity in a landing zone. The LZ was ‘hot’ if the enemy were present and ‘cold’ if there was no enemy activity
Huey
Common name for the UH-1 Iroquois utility helicopter
HQ
Headquarters
IFR
Instrument Flight Rules
Incoming
Term used to describe the arrival of enemy artillery fire
In country
Term used to refer to service within Vietnam
Infusees
Small groups of replacement personnel posted into a unit on a regular basis to ensure that the unit’s personnel do not all complete their tours of duty together, thereby creating a severe experience drain
Iroquois
Official name of the UH-1 helicopter. More commonly known by American forces as the Huey
Jungle penetrator
Device attached to the end of a helicopter winch cable to enable the cable to penetrate thick jungle for the insertion or extraction of troops
LZ
Helicopter landing zone (pronounced ell zee)
MEDIVAC
Medical Evacuation. An Australian term referring to the evacuation or more seriously wounded casualties to Australia, usually in specially rigged C130 Hercules transport aircraft. Also used to describe the battlefield evacuation of casualties by helicopter
MID
Mentioned in dispatches – a commendation for meritorious service or bravery
MP
Military Police
NCO
Non-Commissioned Officer
Nomex
Trade name of a type of fire-resistant flying clothing
Nowra
A naval Air Station on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia. Known as HMAS Albatross, it is the home of the RAN Fleet air arm
NVA
North Vietnamese Army
OIC
Officer In Charge
PSP
Perforated Steel Plate – a form of metal matting which can be rapidly laid to form runways and hard standing areas
PX
Post Exchange. A US forces shop providing consumer and services at a heavily discounted rate to service personnel
Qual
Slang for qualification
RAN
Royal Australian Navy
RANHFV
Royal Australian Navy Helicopter Flight – Vietnam
RAAF
Royal Australian Air force
Rangers
South Vietnamese Special Forces troops
RAR
Royal Australian Regiment. 1RAR was the 1st Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment, 2RAR the 2nd Battalion etc.
Rating
A naval non-commissioned sailor
Regional/Popular Forces
South Vietnamese troops differing in role and training from the ARVN. Regional Forces (RF) came under the direct control of a province chief and usually only operated within that province. They were equipped and trained to a lower standard than the ARVN. Popular Forces (PF) were armed villagers trained to defend their hamlets from small-scale Viet Cong attacks
RNZAF
Royal New Zealand Air Force
Rotor wash
Down blast from a helicopter’s main rotor
RPG
Rocket Projectile Grenade. More commonly but incorrectly known as a Rocket Propelled Grenade, a highly effective explosive weapon carried by the Viet Minh and Viet Cong
Saigon
Capital of the Republic of Vietnam. Now Ho Chi Minh City
SAS
Special Air Service – Australian Special Forces troops highly skilled on reconnaissance and deep jungle penetration operations
Scrounger
One who is adept at acquiring hard-to-get equipment and materials for one’s unit by any means – legal or otherwise – possible
Seabee
US Navy Construction Battalion troops
SEAL
Sea, Air, and Land Team. US Navy Special Forces personnel
Ship
American slang for helicopter/aircraft
Slick
Lightly armed troop-carrying helicopter
Spider hole
Concealed one-man defensive positions dug into the ground, which often had a concrete lid on top enabling the occupant to suddenly appear, fire at targets, and disappear before return fire could be aimed at them.
Tan Son Nhut
Saigon’s international airport. For many years during the Vietnam War it was reputed to be the busiest airport in the world
Taipan
Call sign for the 135th AHC’s Gunship Platoon
Tet
Vietnamese lunar New Year
USA
United State Army
USAF
United States Air Force
VB
Victoria Bitter - a popular brand of Australian beer
VC
Viet Cong – South Vietnamese based and recruited communist insurgent force
Vietnamisation
A term used to describe the transfer o combat responsibilities form ‘Free World’ forces to the South Vietnamese
Viet Minh
North Vietnamese Regular Army
VIP
Very Important Person
VNAF
(South) Vietnam Air Force
XO
Executive Officer. The second-in-command of United States Army units such as assault helicopter companies
1ATF
1st Australian Task Force – the major Australian military force operating in Vietnam
1AFH
1st Australian Field Hospital
100 knot tape
Also known as 100 mile per hour or instant airframe tape in Australian use. It was a green material-based tape of extreme durability and strength used to patch bullet holes and other minor structural damage prior to more permanent repairs being effected.