Oscar Mike to the glossary. Copy that.
A military demonstration designed to intimidate adversaries without actually engaging in combat. Flexing, but with aircraft carriers instead of biceps.
In military aviation, a single combat mission flown by one aircraft, or a sudden attack launched by troops from a defensive position. Essentially, it's when you stop sitting around and actually do something aggressive. Modern air forces track sorties obsessively because counting how many times planes take off is apparently easier than measuring whether they accomplished anything useful.
Radio call sign suffix indicating the commander themselves rather than their radioman or staff. 'Six' designates the commander's station, 'actual' means the boss is personally on the radio.
Creating false signals or communications to deceive enemy sensors, basically catfishing your opponent's entire military infrastructure.
Range safety command sequence preparing personnel to commence firing, ensuring everyone's pointed in approximately the same direction before lead starts flying. The polite precursor to controlled chaos.
Information that has been stripped of identifying details so classified sources can't be traced, also applies to military reports that need to look good for Congress.
A hasty ambush set up quickly when an unexpected opportunity presents itself, as opposed to a deliberate ambush planned in advance. It's military improvisation with immediate violent consequences.
To position military or security personnel at a specific location for operational readiness, surveillance, or duty assignment. It's a fancy way of saying 'planted here until further notice.'
The prescribed range at which enlisted personnel must render salutes to officers, theoretically six paces but practically 'close enough that ignoring them would be obvious.' The geometry of military courtesy.
An individual skilled in moving undetected through hostile or monitored environments, whether for reconnaissance, theft, or espionage. Essentially a professional ghost with dubious ethics.
An order to cease operations and stand by, often issued right after everyone has positioned themselves for the thing they were told to do.
A military strategy emphasizing overwhelming force and psychological dominance to break enemy will before sustained combat—basically, 'make them regret starting' in one explosive gesture.
A deliberate message, gesture, or encoded transmission designed to convey information to someone watching for it. From smoke signals to digital broadcasts, it's humanity's way of saying 'psst, pay attention.'
Military phonetic alphabet slang for 'Shit-Hot'—aviator-speak for something being absolutely excellent or top-tier in execution.
Military readiness state where forces are prepared for immediate action but not actively engaged—basically holding your breath waiting for permission to act.
Military systems allowing engagement of targets from a safe distance, minimizing exposure to enemy fire—basically 'hitting them before they can hit you back'.
Operations designed to neutralize enemy air defense systems—taking out the AA before they take out your planes.
Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses—using missiles and aircraft to neutralize or degrade enemy air defense systems so other aircraft can operate safely. Basically clearing the airspace.
Employing lighter forces to observe and report enemy movement while avoiding engagement. It's 'send the junior soldiers out front to see what we're dealing with,' expressed as legitimate military doctrine.
Engaging targets from a distance safe enough that your forces aren't vulnerable to direct return fire. Also called 'standoff distance' or 'standoff range.'
A secret, often unauthorized military or defense project operating outside normal bureaucratic channels. Half-affectionate, half-ominous in implication.
A bulge in a defensive front line where friendly forces extend forward into enemy territory. It's a term that makes military planners nervous because it means 'three exposed sides of enemy opportunity.'
A tactical underwater vessel designed for covert operations, reconnaissance, and strategic deployment—or a genuinely delicious sandwich served on a long roll. Both require stealth to prevent detection by coworkers.
Techniques to minimize a vehicle's radar, thermal, visual, or acoustic detection signatures. Making military equipment harder to spot like a ninja in camo.