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Charlie Simpson
© «AAFM», March-June 2001.
Our address: en@rvsn.info |
See also: What Did He Say?? – «AAFM», March-June 2001.
By Colonel (Ret) Charlie Simpson, AAFM Executive Director, with help from several AAFM members, including Joe Andrew, Mike Veres, Jim Tegart and Jack Roberts
March 2001. This collection of missile terms, abbreviations, acronyms, nicknames and phrases is far from complete, but it is a good basic guide to missile talk. You will find terms from many systems and many eras, and from many special areas. We are missileers, but we have been called cone heads, ops or maintenance weenies, crew dogs and by many other nicknames and titles. We have had many official and many unofficial names for the places we work, the tools we use, the procedures we follow and the clothes we wear. This article is probably just part one – I am sure we will get a lot of feedback from members with the ones we missed. There were a lot that I could recall but not put a full name on, like MPCU and DSAP – you will see these and others in future articles. Let us know where we are wrong and what we can add. June 2001. In the March 2001 issue of the AAFM newsletter, we had an initial glossary of missile terms, acronyms and nicknames. A number of members sent additional terms from a variety of missile systems – they are included below. Special thanks go to members John Stibravy, Joel Susman, Pat Phelan, Tom Muraski, Clyde Owen, Joe Andrew, Harold Renninger, Tom Parson, Ron Bishop, John Mills, Dick Boverie, Richard Weigert, Tom Jewett, Phill Layman, Carlton Stidsen, John Frye, Mike Veres and Mike Fabbri. This series may go on for a while – there definitely are more terms that we haven’t yet listed. 
104 – Form used to document a missile crew evaluation, especially before automation. Spaces for listing each task evaluated, degree of deficiency and description of error 1STRAD – 1st Strategic Aerospace Division, the host unit at Vandenberg for many years. Initially the 1st Missile Division – when the Aerospace term was first used in the early 1960s, the abbreviation was 1SADSAC – until someone realized what it said. 220 deck – A stack of punch cards used in the MAPCHE unit. This particular deck would run the most comprehensive checkout of all. There were several other decks that were used to check specific systems individually. 360-6 – annual inspection performed by MM facilities maintenance teams (dash 6 referred to the last digit in the tech order prescribing the inspection, 21M – LGM30A – 6). 3901st – The 3901st Strategic Missile Evaluation Squadron, also called the Oh First by some and Smeez by later members. A Vandenberg unit reporting directly to SAC, with team members who evaluated operations, maintenance, communications, munitions and civil engineering in visits to the missile wings. Most functions are now part of 20th Air Force at Warren. 4315th – The 4315th Combat Crew Training Squadron, at Vandenberg and responsible for training all SAC missile crew members – called Operational Readiness Training, Combat Ready Training or Mission Ready Training at various times. Now a function of the 381st Training Group at Vandenberg. 4751ADMS – Bomarc Test and Evaluation Sq. at Eglin AFB Field 9. The unit also did initial cadre training for the tactical squadrons 564SMS – Atlas strategic missile squadron at Warren from 1958 to 1965 Crew LO-3 of this unit were the first to launch a ICBM without Convair involvement. No cabinets or panels on the launch site were BOI’d (Break of Inspection) sealed by Convair. 7-Level – the common name for the small screw driver often carried by maintainers in their shirt pockets. (Officially the term 7-level referred to the third of four skill levels attainable by enlisted people (3, 5, 7, and 9) 90 Day Activity Inspection – An inspection conducted by the Wing Quality Control Section every 90 days to determine the readiness state of all the hardware at an Atlas D E and F site 89 cable – control cable linking the TSV (target selection van) with the Matador missile during countdown. Main source of malfunctions. A&M – Assembly and Maintenance, or the A&M building where this was accomplished. The A&M building could house two missiles with a monorail above with two hoists to aid in the assembly and disassembly operations (BOMARC) ABS – Alternate Battle Staff. Consists of the ADCO, ADCM, Security; an EWO planner and a maintenance NCO deployed to the ACP Access Road – the short road connecting a missile site to a main road ACP – Alternate Command Post – the SCP that becomes the wing command post if it is disabled – crews are trained and evaluated as ACP qualified – see ABS Action Complete – competitors in early missile competition exercises had to let evaluators know that they had completed all actions on a specific task or problem ADO/ ADCO – Assistant Deputy Commander for Ops. AGE – aerospace ground equipment – support equipment essential to system operation that doesn’t fly with the missile or aircraft. ALCC – Airborne Launch Control Center, EC-135 aircraft with a Missile Combat Crew, specialized communications gear, and the codes needed to configure and launch the Minuteman force ALCM – airlaunched cruise missile ALCS – Airborne Launch Control System, the aircraft and crews who provide the airborne launch capability for missiles. Align – a task involved with aligning the missile to its target or a known reference. In the early days, it required a long site visit by a combat targeting team that used theodilites to align the missile using fixed, pre-surveyed monuments outside the site and star sightings. ALS – Azimuth Laying Set, an alignment tool for various missile systems AMCCC – Alternate Missile Crew Commander, who, during the late 1960s in Minuteman, was qualified to perform both as a commander and a deputy. During that period, crew members could not rest underground, so one of the three (MCCC, DMCCC and AMCCC) was in rest status above ground. One of the joys of being an AMCCC was that each evaluation was really two, with a full eval in both the commander and deputy positions. AMLO – Annual Missile Launch Operation, a Matador exercise where missiles were taken to Libya and test launched A-Paging – Task of verifing the accuracy of every page in a TO using the latest change. Very important all the time, but especially true for 3901SMES visits! APCHE – Automatic Programmed Checkout Equipment. (Before MAPCHE) A-Plug or A-circuit – the locking plug for the personnel access hatch on the surface of the Minuteman LF, the first barrier to entry to the LF ATRAN – Automatic Terrain Recognition and Navigation map-matching radar guidance system used in a Matador variant (TM- 61B) and the Mace. AVE – Aerospace Vehicle Equipment Back to back – one alert immediately following another, with only the CCRR period in between. Backup – the crew selected to be available to replace sick or decertified crew members on alert Bear trap – found under floor in capsule – either at LCF or LEB — used to drain away water seeping into site – you dont want to get caught in it BFRC – big f****** red cloud, what you did not want to see coming from a Titan II missile BFT – Big F******, or Fancy Truck. Used to notify PT drivers that a big rig is about to pass the weapon convoy Bird – the missile or aircraft Blue Bag – the one piece blue missile uniform BMAT – Ballistic Missile Analysis Technician, an enlisted crew member in Atlas and Titan, as well as a maintenance technician BMAT – Ballistic Missile Analyst Technician – the general enlisted expert of the early missile systems. He assisted other maintenance personnel in trouble shooting and repair, and was also part of the Launch Crew BMAT – Brooms, Mops, And Trash BME – Ballistic Missile Evaluation, a small SAC agency responsible for developing the SIOP planning factors BMT – Ballistic Missile Transporter BOI Seal – Break on Inspection seal by contractor on new equipment and later used by the AF to ensure equipment was not opened without authority. BOMARC – the ground launched interceptor missile IM-99, BO – Boeing and MARC – University of Michigan Aeronautical Research Center. Bomb Swap – Replacing one or all of the warheads on a MMIII or the RV on earlier MM Boot – new guy in shop B-Plug or B circuit – the large plug in the personnel access shaft at the Minuteman LF, the second barrier to LF entry Broken Arrow, Bent Speer, Dull Sword – Nick names for accidents/incidents involving nuclear weapons. Broken Arrow was the most serious, and indicated the possible loss or destruction of a nuclear weapon. Bunny Boots – Big, white rubber boots issued to crew members and maintainers in cold country, sometimes called Little Abner boots, required wear when dispatching to alert or maintenance on a helicopter and by road. Burger Shack – A locally-owned hamburger/ice cream stand in Mohall, ND frequented by Minot’s November-01 crews on the drive home from alerts Burn barrel – a red barrel outside the LCF building where we burned code pages and other classified, an exciting task during cold, windy winter days Bust or Busted – what you got when QC gave you an unqualified rating in an evaluation or a failed crew evaluation – not a desired outcome C Squared – Combat Crew Rest and Relaxation, equal to half the alert time, when crewmembers were supposedly untouchable for any training or other duty. C/C – Coordinate Converter (BOMARC) C/L – Checklist, a sequence of actions to do a technical task contained in a technical order C/S – Command System (BOMARC) C-163 Control monitor – AGE test equipment used to locally start up/shut down or poll status of a Wing 6 (Grand Forks) or Wing 1 Squad 4 (Malmstrom) LF and missile CAFI – Commander’s Annual Facilities Inspection. A great chance to watch Lieutenant Colonels on their hands and knees, scraping wax off the floor with razor blades. Camper Team – a two man security team dispatched to guard a launch facility that could not be monitored electronically by the crew. The team has a pickup camper that was positioned on the LF – one of the two must always be awake and alert. Especially enjoyable duty in February in North Dakota Can – the missile guidance set. A can change involves positioning a G&C van or Payload Transporter over the silo, opening the door, removing the reentry system and removing and replacing the can. Capsule – in Minuteman, the LCC, or orb where the missile crew performs alert. In early space flight, the space vehicle where the astronaut made his space flight. Carry all – we now call them Suburbans CC – the commander, as in 68SMS /CC CCRR – see C Squared CEP – Circular Error Probable – if a system has a CEP of 1000 feet, 50% of the warheads can be expected to land within a 1000 foot radius of the target. Cert – the briefing a missile crew gave the wing commander, DO or other senior staff or commander, to show that they fully understood all aspects of the Emergency War Order procedures. An MPT ride was part of the cert process in some wings for a time Changeover – the process when the oncoming crew replaces the outgoing crew in the LCC Chef – the site cook who prepares meals for the missile crew, security teams, maintainers and others at the MAF Chemox – the self-contained breathing apparatus, adapted from mining use, that required one to don the unit, insert a canister into its holder, put on the face mask, and pull a cord to ignite the candle that activated the canister so that it could generate oxygen Cherry Picker – The high lift bucket used to work on the Jupiter Guidance Set while the missile was in the vertical position, or a high lift device used in many systems CINCSAC – Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command. Clamshells – protective sleeves installed on the personnel access hatch cover actuating rods at Minuteman sites to ensure that the hatch did not close prematurely while people were inside. COB – the Chief, Ops Branch, the senior Operations Officer in early Minuteman squadrons. In earliest days the commander was a full colonel and the COB a lieutenant colonel. The OBOs worked for him Code 55 – The date a 4-year controlled missile tour ended and someone was available for reassignment. Code Change – a process changing the codes for an entire Minuteman squadron, a massive task in earlier days Code page – a page used to authenticate between the security team members and the security controller, the oncoming missile crew and the duty crew or maintenance teams and the duty crew. The one time use pages had to be destroyed by burning after use. It was not a good idea to find some in your parka pocket when you got home from alert Coffin – the home for the Atlas D and E missile, a large missile bay containing the missile, the erector and support equipment Combat Ready – having passed the standboard or eval and certified to the commander, ready and qualified to perform alert Comp – the Missile Competition or the newer Space and Missile Competition Complex – the missile site, especially for the earlier Titan and Atlas systems. They were just too big to be called a site Cone Head – a nickname for missileers that was, on occasion, an attempt to be humorous or derogatory by nonmissileers Convoy – a group of vehicles transporting a missile, reentry vehicle or other asset to a site Cookies – the top secret documents maintained in the red safe, containing authentication information for execution of the missiles and related tasks. In the early days, they were worn on a chain around the crew member’s neck, along with the launch key. Like the code page, it was not good if one found they were still there around the neck when he arrived home after alert Cooler – the Minuteman ground chiller unit for keeping the can cool while in the silo Cops or copper – site security detail (also known as guards) Crew Blues – the two piece crew uniform used from the late 1960s to the late 1980s Crew Rest – see CCRR Crit – an error by a missile crew member that meant a bust, or failure or an evaluation. A key turn at the wrong time or a failure to inhibit are two examples Critique Item – an small error that isn’t written up, just briefed to the crew being evaluated CTT – Combat Targeting Team, in Minuteman a three man team of one officer and two enlisted members who aligned and targeted the missiles Curtain Raiser – the first Missile comp in 1967 CV – the vice wing commander, second in command of the wing Dash One – the crew’s operational manual Dash Six – the tech order specifying recurring maintenance DCR – the Deputy Command for Resources, a colonel in a wing responsible for all the logistics support not related directly to maintenance, including supply, transportation, finance and fuels Deaver Mule – maintenance unit that was used to pull the Minuteman launcher closure door open Decertified – no longer combat ready, either because of PRP or other reason Deuce – the Minuteman II with the Sylvania ground system, which was all three squadrons at Grand Forks and the 564MS at Malmstrom DEW – Distant Early Warning (Network) DEW Line. (BOMARC) DM or DCM – the Deputy Command for Maintenance, the senior maintenance officer in a wing or the early selfsufficient missile squadrons DMCCC – Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander. DNIA – Duty Not Involving Alert, usually because of a physical condition DO/ DCO – Deputy Commander for Operations. A full colonel, this officer is in charge of the missile squadrons, DOE / D09, DOF / DO24, DOT, and DOV. DOE or D09 – The office responsible for managing and controlling the launch, inhibit, and enable codes for the LF’s and LCC’s. DOF or DO24 – the branch responsible for the Minuteman facility managers Donkey d*** – there was a technical name for this but it was a jumper plug found on one of the racks on the upper lever of the of the LFs that you had to remove&reinstall (cycle) to reset IZ security — before Rivet Mile mod DOT – The MCC training branch (instructor shop). Responsible for training all MCC’s. DOV – The MCC Standardization/Evaluation Branch (standboard shop) responsible for conducting periodic and no-notice evaluations of all launch crews. Downstage – lower part of the Minuteman missile below the G&C section (motor stages) DOX – Operations Plans, including the EWO training shop DPL – dual propellant loading, a term for Atlas and Titan I. Normally involved loading LOX and RP-1 in a simulated launch. Normally, the reentry vehicle had to be removed for nuclear safety before a DPL. After several accidents at Walker AFB, nitrogen was used in some Atlas F exercises. The only Titan I DPLs were at acceptance. DSAP – Data Storage and Processor unit in the earlier DSCS / SCS – Digital Safety Control Switch/Safety Control Switch, Manually safes the LF when maintenance team is in the LER Dump – what the Matador missile did when it was at the end of its flight. The dump point was the location at which the missile was commanded into a zero-lift trajectory onto the target. Duress – a situation where the individual alarms others by a code word or procedure because he is in a threatened security situation. During Titan I days, it was not unusual for a site visitor to use the duress word instead of the entry word in error when asked by the crew to authenticate, resulting in a chance to demonstrate the spreadeagle position on the ground outside the fence El Forko Grande – Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, formerly home of the 321st Strategic Missile Wing Dutton Zero – The diner at Dutton, MT closely situated to Sierra-0 and Romeo-28 (the training LF). They had the best sticky buns west of the Mississippi and absolutely no atmosphere. Eddy’s Corners – Regular stopping place for Minuteman troops on the way to and from Echo, Kilo, and Mike flights, at the intersection of High way 87 and 191, about 80 miles east of Malmstrom. EMMCC – Erection Mechanism Motor Control Center, a panel located in the electronics room of a Atlas-D launch pad. Used to manually control erection cycle EMT – Electro Mechanical Team member (or 316er), ground maintemance personnel for Minuteman, often jokingly called upon to do Every Mother —— Thing. A two man team that was basically jack of all trades in early Minuteman days. They worked on electronics, environmental control systems, power production, security systems and anything else that needed work. A lot of the items they worked on were later branched out to specialized teams. They were dispatched to launch facilities when missiles went off alert. These teams also often performed tasks that didn’t fall into any other team’s area of responsibility (translation: general gofers) EPPT – Electric Power Production Technician, responsible for providing power in Atlas and Titan I. Sometimes considered part of the combat crew, sometimes part of maintenance Equipment Terminal – The four story building in Titan I that housed AGE and RPIE, the support equipment for the missile and elevator system ERCS – Emergency Rocket Communications System, consisting of a number specially equipped Minuteman missiles that were based at Whiteman AFB, Missouri, carrying powerful UHF transmitters. Escape tube – in MM LCCs, a supposed way for the crew to get out of the capsule after everything else was destroyed. That is, if they could open the hatch with a huge wrench, don Chemox, drain the sand, and dig out the rest of the way with folding shovels. No one seemed to know where the top end was, but folklore put it someplace under the sewage lagoon. Esthetic curtain – The privacy screen around the toilet in the back of a MM Mod capsule. The larger Deuce capsule had a wall there. Eval – a standboard, check or evaluation of the combat crew, sometimes notice, sometimes no notice. An Upgrade check came first, then came annual checks (usually a lot more often). Sometimes included three phases, the written exam, the on-site check and the trainer ride E-Van – Electronics Maintenance Van – Used by EMT to transport test equipment for testing the electronic racks in early Minuteman days. It had a lighter duty hoist than the M-Van. EWO – Emergency War Order, as in EWO training, monthly requirements for crewmembers, or EWO tests, given during monthly training. Basically all the procedures, rules and documents used to launch the missiles. All SAC crewmembers had to brief the Wing Commander or DO periodically to certify that they were competent to carry out their portion of the EWO. EWO-1 – A hardened telephone system similar to HVC, but it runs only from the SCP to the WCP. EWO-2 – A hardened telephone system similar to EWO -1, but it runs between each of the SCP’s in the Minuteman wing. Flush and Gush – an Atlas service of the engines after a DPL. Used a F&G cart (A mobile engine service cart capable of flushing residual fuel from the engines, blowing hot nitrogen through them, and refilling the lube oil tanks.) Expo – Ford Expedition used to ferry missileers, MAF chefs and FMs to the MAF. Express – coming very fast i.e. when a maint guy tossed down a box of rags from top side of the LEB he yelled express to warn the guys below (there was also the L-Van Express that got you back home) Facility Manager – NCO in charge of the LCF/ MAF FCO – BOMARC Functional Checkout equipment that checked out the entire missile in the assemby and maintenance before loading the missile in a shelter. There was also a functional checkout van to check the missile-shelter compatibility and for system troubleshooting in the launch area FCS – BOMARC Functional Checkout Set. Equipment used to perform the missile confidence checks Fish Bowl – under the floor, usually contains the Bear Trap in the bottom FLFS – Free Launch Free Impact Schedule, complex launch timing documents that caused more than one crew to fail a check. FM – Facility Manager, a middle grade NCO who is in charge of running the LCF and performing minor maintenance. FMMS – Field Missile Maintenance Squadron, one of the two maintenance squadrons in a missile wing, usually involved with heavier maintenance activities – see OMMS Foil packs – SAC’s answer to TV dinners: food prepared in a central kitchen at Warren, then frozen and sent to LCFs everywhere. Do you remember what a # 39 was? And could you tell the difference between it and a # 52? Force Mod – Informal name for the Minuteman system upgrade program that took place in the mid-60s Forty-Eight – 48-hour alert usually caused by excessive snowfall preventing your relief crew from arriving when they were supposed to. At Minot AFB it earned you a 48 pin from your squadron FOTE – Follow On Test and Evaluation, a program where an operational missile is randomly selected to be test launched. Four-fours (44s, short for 443X0) – Minuteman missile mechanics FSC – Flight Security Controller, a junior or middle grade NCO in charge of security for the entire flight, including the LCF. FSO – Flight Security Officer, a junior officer supervising all security forces in a given section of the Wing FSS – Flight Security Superintendent, a middle grade NCO who assists, advises, and exercises security personnel as needed. Fuel – one of two propellants for a rocket motor, combined with the oxidizer at ignition G&C – Guidance and Control unit, the guidance system for the missile – see can G&C Coupler – the ground equipment unit that interfaced with the can Gag Bag – Emergency breathing apparatus carried whenever you entered a Titan II silo GAMA – GLCM Alert and Maintenance Area, a shelter where TELs and LCCs are parked prior to dispersal, part of the WSA GAT – Ground to Air Transmitter. Used during the cruise phase of the Bomarc to guide it to the targer area. Once locked on to the target the Bomarc was in control of its own intercept. GCO – Guidance Control Offier, second officer on a Titan I or Atlas D crew, responsible for the radar guidance system GFE – Government Furnished Equipment Giant Sword – Annual SAC competition for aircraft weapons loaders, primarily conducted at Fairchild and then Ellsworth GIANT TALK – a network of HF radio stations used for world wide communications with all SAC assets. GLCM – Ground Launched Cruise Missile, deployed in Europe in the 1980s, pronounced glickem Glory Trip – name for a Minuteman operational test launch, as in Glory Trip 130M, or GT130M GMT – Greenwich Mean Time, or Zulu Time Green Bag – the Nomex flight suit, now worn by all USAF operators, including missileers and space operators Groobers – a musical group composed of crew members from Warren — famous for their 1975 Olympic Arena rendition of ... and nothin’s too good for the missilemen Guardian Challenge – the annual Space and Missile Competition Guillotine – The panel that sealed the collimator window before a launch. Part of LECS Hang fire – what you did not want to hear at Vandenberg, a launch attempt with no liftoff or full ignition. HD&R System – Hold Down and Release system HF – High Frequency, range of radio frequencies that includes the Ham band, used for communications between SAC command posts, aircraft, and missile LCC’s. HHQ – Higher Headquarters HICS – Hardened Intersite Cable System. The cable system that connected all LFs and LCFs in Minuteman House Mouse – What the FM was sometimes called House — support shop that you work out of e.g. FMT HQ – Headquarters or Highly Qualified HQ Pin – a small pin worn on the uniform scarf designating the number of consecutive highly qualified evaluations the individual has achieved HRP – Human Reliability Program, a strict, carefully controlled program designed to monitor the physical health and mental stability of personnel assigned to critical positions involving the operation, maintenance, and security of nuclear weapon systems. Changed to PRP Humvee or Hummer – the utility vehicle that replaced the jeep and used especially by the security force in missiles HVC – Hardened Voice Channel, a buried cable telephone system connecting the 5 LCC’s in a Minuteman squadron. It is not secure. IAC – pronounced eye ack – instrument air compressor ICCM – intercontinental cruise missile, like the Snark IFs – In-flight lunches. Staple diet of Minuteman maintainers in the 60s and 70s IG – Inspector General, that branch of any government agency responsible for ensuring that the agency operates in accordance with proper directives and procedures. The primary focus of the SAC IG was to determine whether the missile crews could execute their EWO, but they also made sure that the mops and brooms were not comingled. IMIDT – Interceptor Missile Interrogation Radar Decoder and Terminal (BOMARC) IMPCE – Interceptor Missile Prelaunch Control Equipment (BOMARC) IMSOC – Interceptor Missile Squadron Operations Center. This was the electrical/electronic nerve center, located in the composite building that also housed supply, motor pool shops, offices, heat and power generation and most other support services. (BOMARC) IMSSCE – Interceptor Missile Squadron Supervisors Control Equipment (BOMARC) IMSSS – Interceptor Missile Squadron Supervisors Station. Monitored status of missiles, located in IMSOC. (BOMARC) IMU – Inertial Measurement Unit. This is the heart of a missile’s guidance system, consisting of a set of accelerometers and gyroscopes IMU – initial Measuring Unit (part of the can) Inhibit – a command to stop an unauthorized launch, an action required immediately if launch indications occur without an authenticated order Intel – the wing intelligence shop – or information from the intelligence people IRBM – intermediate range ballistic missile, like the Thor or Jupiter IRFNA – Inhibited Red Fuming Nitric Acid – The Bomarc A booster oxidizer ITOR – Intercept Target Optical Recorder (BOMARC) IZ – Inner Zone security, the system that indicates an attempt to open LF access Jacked up – what happened when some one used the duress word or misauthenicated – you usually got a visit from the cops – sometimes resulted in spread-eagled Jet-butt – Term of endearment and admiration local Montana residents had for our men in uniform. Job – Job Control, the maintenance control center that tracks daily dispatches, missile status and coordinates with the crew on all maintenance activity, and the office that the crew calls when a maintenance problem is identified Jose’s Cutoff – A sharp bend in the road towards Papa-Zero LCF about a mile east of Conrad, Montana in the 564th SMS complex. It was named in honor of a long forgotten crew dog who back in the mid – 1970s, missed the turn and put his Suburban into the ditch. No one was hurt, but the poor guy became famous. So did the place. JOTS – Job Oriented Training Standard, for missile maintenance training Keys – the launch keys kept in the red safe and inserted into the launch switches when authorized. Worn around the neck of crewmembers in the early missile days Kibby’s Corners – Regular stopping place for Minuteman troops in Stanford, 50 miles east of Malmstrom Kluge – a workaround to fix a problem, usually to continue launch – not always an accepted and authorized procedure, but effective. For example, in the Titan I days, the sword valve, a hydraulic valve in the launcher elevator system would sometimes stick, resulting in a launch about because the elevator would not leave the creep mode. A kluge that was sometimes employed involved using piano wire (very hard to see in a dark silo) to pull the valve out as the elevator started up Kluge – An unauthorized jumper wire used to keep a missile in the green. Knuckle draggers – Slang term for Four-Fours (443x0) L/S – Launcher Site. Usually composed of one BOMARC flight (28 missiles) or detachment (56 missiles) also included warhead storage (armament building) and a security gate building. LASO – Lower Altitude Search Option. The Bomarc could cruise in its target search at low altitude, or high altitude depending on commands from the SAGE center. LCC – Launch Control Center, the area where the missile combat crew performs alert, In Minuteman, a large steel lined, reinforced concrete building buried some 50 feet underground, containing the launch crew and all command and monitoring equipment necessary to operate the missiles. It will withstand all but a direct hit by a nuclear weapon. LCCFC – Launch Control Complex Facilities Console, the nerve center of the Titan II site – according to some, whre the MCCC slept. LCEB – Launch Control Equipment Building, a hardened, underground building housing backup power, environmental systems and other LCC support equipment buried adjacent to the LCC. LCF – Launch Control Facility, the entire above and below ground complex for Minuteman and Peacekeeper, now called the Missile Alert Facility or MAF LCO – Launch Control Officer, early name for a missile combat crew member who manned the launch console LCSB – Launch Control Support Building. The so-called ranch house support building has a kitchen and several bedrooms to house and feed assigned and transient personnel LCT – launch capability test Lead Logs – Counterweights put in the flame deflector of the launcher on Atlas F for PLX using Nitrogen instead of LOX LEB – Launcher Equipment Building. A hardened underground building at the LF. It contains much the same equipment as the LCEB and performs similar functions for the LF. In the first version of Minuteman, it was called the soft support building because the roof was ground level LECS – Launch Environment Control system The modification to Minuteman LFs at Vandenberg which allowed repeated hot launches, including range interface equipment, LF survivability modifications like the gullotine and lots and lots of puckey. LECS – Launch Equipment Checkout Set (BOMARC) LF – Launch Facility. Covering about one acre of land, this is where the actual Minuteman missiles are located. Each LF contains one missile along with it’s launch support equipment. LFA – Last F****** Alert. A much anticipated event where the lucky crew dog gets to celebrate by giving a speech at the Wing Predeparture Briefing, usually by taking a few jabs at the brass. LFT – Liquid Fuels Technician. Liquid fuel – term used by MM crew for Titan (and earlier) systems and crew members. The opposite, of course, was solid fuel. Line Badge – a photo identification badge required for access to controlled areas Line Crew – a missile crew whose primary job is the performance of alert LO – Lock-on Loggie – a maintenance or logistics officer or NCO Logistics Group – the major organization below wing level consisting of all the maintenance activities – formerly the DCM, or deputy commander for maintenance Lolly Pop – those strange looking antennas top side of the LF that provided OZ security before the rivit-mile mod. LOX – Liquid Oxygen, the oxidizer for earlier missiles and still used in some space launch vehicles LSM – Launcher Status Multiplexer (BOMARC) LSS – Logistics Support Squadron, a maintenance unit that is made up of many of the former maintenance staff functions LV – Launch Verification, a process that simulated the launch sequence in Titan II, up to and including dumping water throught the Sound Attenuation System into the W (see below). Since the launch duct had no drain ports in the W, after every LV, two crew members at a time would take turns scooping water out, barefoot in cold water, with Whites rolled up to their knees – not one of the more glamorous Titan II tasks. L-Van – maintenance vehicle (covered pick up truck) MAB – Missile Assembly Building. MAF – see LCF Major – an error by a missile crew member on an evaluation that does not cause a failure, but is of a serious nature Malfunction Junction – The slang term for Malmstrom MAMS Building – Missile Assembly and Maintenance Shops building MAP – Monitor and Alarm Panel. A large gray box above the deputy’s console. It’s purpose is to provide summary level status of the facility power and environmental control systems. (Minuteman) MAPCHE – Mobile Automatic Programmed Checkout Equipment, an Atlas system semi-trailer mounted computer that could be hooked up to the site topside and which could simulate launch conditions, exercise the hydraulic and pneumatic systems on the missile and checkout and monitor every system on the site MAZH – Missile Azimuth Heading (BOMARC) MCC – Missile Combat Crew MCCC – Missile Combat Crew Commander MCCM – Missile Combat Crew Member MDU – Mobile Dynamic Unit, an Atlas system semitrailer mounted hydraulic and pneumatic control unit, usually used in conjunction with the MAPCHE unit Mezzanine – A second level electronics room located on an Atlas-D launch Pad MF – Medium Frequency radio, the data transmission system that backs up the cable system for the Deuce system MFT – Mighty Fine Technician (Missile Facilities Tech) MFT – Missile Facilities Technician, an enlisted maintenance and combat crew specialty MGACG – pronounced Ma-gack – the Missile Guidance Alighnment Checkout Group, a 6 by 9 foot computer in the Titan II LCC use to feed targeting to the missile. A mysterious console that only the BMAT understood – and made others afraid of computers forever. MGS – Missile Guidance Set MHSU – Mobile Hydraulic Servicing Unit. Provided hydraulic pressures of over 3000 Psi to test the missile hydraulic systems. (BOMARC) MHT – Missile Handling Team (Minuteman). Four-person teams that drove the TE (transporter-erector) and replaced the missile downstage MIE – Mobile Inspection Equipment (BOMARC) MIGSERT – Missile Ground Support Technician in Atlas D,E and F MIMS – Missile Maintenance Squadron Minor – a mistake on an evaluation that is not serious but required documentation as an error Minuteman LCCs – equivalent to the MPCU in the later MM systems, but not as sophisticated. MIRV – multiple independently targeted re-entry vehicle Missile Target Seeker – The BOMARC missile radar for target acquisition, terminal guidance. Mission Ready – ready to perform alert MIU – Mobile Inspection Unit. A large semi trailer with the FCO and LECS equipment taken to the missile shelter to test the missile and its systems (BOMARC) MM – Minuteman (MMI, MMII, MMIII and MMMod also used) MMT – Missile Maintenance Team (Minuteman). Sixperson teams that changed RVs and G&C cans. MMT – Missile Maintenance Technician, an enlisted maintenance or combat crew specialty, a 443X0 MOCAM – Mobile Checkout and Maintenance, an Atlas system mobile crew consisting of 5 to 8 specialists (BMAT, MMT, LFS, electricians, both facility and missile, pneumatic and hydraulic specialist, etc.) capable of doing anything that needed to be done on a site. MOCP – Missile Out of Commission, Parts – became NORS Mod – Minuteman Modernized, the original Minuteman system upgraded with LGM-30F missiles MORS – Missile Operational Reporting System, similar to VRSA but reporting was done through code numbers MPCU – Message Processing and Control Unit. That was the very simple-minded computer in each LCC that ran the Sylvania WS133B Deuce system, before the days of CDB and the WSC. Anyone’s basic Palm Pilot of today has many orders of magnitude more processing power than the MPCU MPP – Minuteman power processor – monitors&controls commerical and stand by power on site (that funny blue box with all the blinking lights in the LEB or LCEB) MPT – Missile Procedures Trainer, the simulator for missile operations MRCS – Missile Radio Control Station, one LCC in a wing that had to monitor and respond to HF radio traffic for the wing MSAs – Mine Safety Appliance Airpacks. Just like Scott Air Packs, different manufacturer MSAT – Missile Systems Analysis Technician – early name for BMAT MSR – Maintenance Status Reply. Was a defect code sent to the LCC from the LF indicating an equipment or systems failure or an alarm. MTP – Missile Transfer Panel, located in missile bay of Atlas-D coffin. Used when transferring the missile between trailer and launcher. M-van or b-van – maintaince vehicle usually a 2.5 or 5 ton box truck Mule – the hydraulic unit used with the pipe-pusher to open a Minuteman launcher closure door for maintenance MV – Missile Verification, a Titan II process that exercised the bird itself, including the Stage I engines, but not firing the squibs. During Standboards, both an MV and and LV were performed. M-Van – a maintenance van used to transport tools, equipment and maintainers to an LF, usually a large truck with a six passenger cab and covered cargo area MX – Missile-X, which became Peacekeeper MXU -345/E – the official designation on the nameplate of the folding bed that was at the back of Deuce (maybe also Mod?) capsules, for emergency use only. In the days when sleeping on alert was forbidden, it was said that some crew members would inspect the MXU -345/E very closely and at great length. NCU – nozzle control unit No Lone Zone û areas containing nuclear weapons in which the presence of a lone individual was not authorized NG – no go No Lone Zone – area where the two man policy applied NORS – Not Operationally Ready, Supply NOD – T/S Antenna Pointing Angle (BOMARC) NTCU – Nose Temperature Control Unit. NUDET – Nuclear Detonation. OA – Olympic Arena, the Missile Combat Competition under SAC and ACC, 1969-1993 OBO – Operations Branch Officer, a major or lieutenant colonel in a missile squadron responsible for one or more LCFs and the crews assigned to them Odd Squad – originally the nickname for the 564th Strategic Missile Squadron, the only Sylvania ground system (the Deuce) at Malmstrom, along with the three Mod squadrons. Olympic Arena – See OA OMMS – Organizational Missile Maintenance Squadron, one of the two maintenance squadrons in a missile wing – see FMMS Operations Group – the major organization below wing level consisting of all the operations activities – formerly the DCO or DO, or deputy commander for operations Ops – Operations Ops Officer – A major or lieutenant colonel who worked for the missile squadron commander Oral Question – during an evaluation, a question asked by the evaluator ORI – Operational Readiness Inspection, conducted on an approximately annual, no-notice basis by the Majcom IG. The main purpose of the SAC IG was to ensure that the operational wings were competent to perform their EWO mission. OSS – Operations Support Squadron, an operations unit that is made up of many of the former operations staff functions OST – Operational Suitability Testing conducted on Matador and Mace missiles OT Launch – Operational test launch at Vandenberg. In Minuteman, missiles are randomly selected, removed from the silo, transported to Vandenberg, prepared for launch and tested Oxidizer – Along with the fuel, one of the propellants for a rocket motor OZ – Outer Zone security, an indication that someone or something has entered the above ground security area of the missile site P&S – Plans and Scheduling, the maintenance office that develops the maintenance schedule Pad Chief – an MMT in charge of a single missile silo PAH – Minuteman LF personnel access hatch Pad Refurb – The maintenance team at Vandenberg that refurbished LFs after every launch. These guys applied the puckey Par Bar – a bar near the Perimeter Acquisition Radar north of Grand Forks – it was said that the whole metal building would light up when the PAR was turned on Parka Pants – heavy, insulated pants worn with the AF parka in extremely cold weather PARPs – Post Attack Readiness Procedures, a set of Titan II crew procedures to continue to operate after the execution has been initiated PAS – Primary Alerting System, the famous SAC Red Phone It is a special telephone system coming from the SAC underground command post and from Looking Glass to all other SAC command posts and missile LCCs Peacekeeper – (besides the well know weapon system) that green armored truck with all the pretty colored lights and sirens on it used by the cops Penetrate – entering an unmanned Minuteman site, involving both the A and B circuit access to provide access to the silo Pipe Pusher – other half of the Deaver Mule Pissem -6 – Informal acronym for the PSM -6 multimeter used by maintainers everywhere Pit – The hole where the A-plug is located at the Launch Facility PK – Peacekeeper PLC-A – Primary Launch Command A, a command that selected targets and launch timing for a squadron of missiles. Once selected using mylar IBM punch cards inserted into the card reader by the combat crew PLC-B – Primary Launch Command B, a command that selected the target and launch timing for a single missile PLX – Propellant Loading Exercise, a launch simulation for Atlas, Titan I and other wet systems where LOX or LOX and RP-1 was loaded and the missile readied for launch. During the ORI for these systems, about two thirds of the force had to successfully accomplish the exercise Pocket Rocket – the Air Force Missile Badge Pointy End Up – which way we tell the uninformed that the missile should be positioned Porno drawer – an equipment rack drawer in the MM LCC that contained no electronics, but could be opened to store, um... reading material for the crew P-Plug – a small component that was part of the coded launch and inhibit system, that, in the early days of Minuteman, had to be carried to an LF by two armed officers and installed during a can change Pre-D – Predeparture briefing, for all combat crews before leaving for alert, preceded by the squadron’s Pre-Pre-D Propellant – either the oxidizer or the fuel for a rocket motor Propellant Terminal – an underground storage facility in Titan I which included a 25,000 liquid oxygen tank (a big thermos bottle), along with nitrogen, helium and gaseous oxygen tanks PRP – Personnel Reliability Program, see HRP PSAT – the Primary Security Alert Team at the LCF, a two man response team PSRE – The rocket engine that powers the bus in Minuteman III, the fourth stage that puts the reentry vehicles in their proper trajectory for the target PT – Payload Transporter Pucky – sealant used on Minuteman missile joints, especially used to seal components for test launches so the silo can be cleaned and reused in a shorter time Pyros and hypos – the powder cans, igniters, and hypergolic cartridges used to start the engines. PVD – Propellant Vapor Detector; also carried by every team entering Titan II silo. QA or QC – Quality Assurance or Quality Control eval team – you didn’t want to see these guys waiting for you at site – the odds that your team would RON was extreamly higher with these guys around QRM – Quick Reaction Maintenance – what you pulled if you were an EMT (Electro-Mechanical Team) member R/B or RB – Roll Bulkhead. It supported the T/S and stayed relative to the earths surface when the missile rolled.(BOMARC) RASP – Reliability and Aging Surveillance Program, an extensive program run primarily by Ogden Air Logistics Center to assess the performance of a missile system as it ages RATO – Rocket Assisted Takeoff solid rocket booster used by Matador and Mace REACT – originally a depot team sent in to fix a significant system problem at a Minuteman wing, now the acronym for the new computer system and console in the LCC Red Bed – Facing both capsule chairs towards each other in a Minuteman capsule, reclining one and putting your feet up on the other to simulate a Lazy Boy recliner. Red Heat – a major modification performed on operational Atlas ICBMs shortly after they were fielded Red Safe – the small safe locked by the two crew members, containing launch keys and execution documents Red X, red W, red diagonal – symbols used on maintenance forms (209, 210) to indicate the seriousness of a malfunction. Red X was the most serious and indicated that the equipment could not be used. Ripple – an early launch sequence, where Minuteman missiles were launched a few at a time to minimize the possibility of loss due to incoming weapons or by fratricide Rivet Mile – upgrade of Minuteman sites in late’ 80s Roll Transfer Building – the building where Minuteman missiles are transferred from the shipping container to the transporter erector RON – Remain (Rest) over night; described staying at a Minuteman LCF over night, either planned or whenever you couldn’t make it home due to a number of reasons. The problem with RONing was it made the maintenance team vulnerable for dispatch to another LF rather than return home after their first job was complete. RON bag or kit – cantained comfort items in case you had to RON at the LCF (ouch!!) — some of us carried an anti-RON kit that contained hard to get items so that you and your team would not RON RP1 – rocket propellant one, a kerosene based fuel used in Atlas, Titan I, Thor and Jupiter missiles RRU – the Remington Rand Univac guidance computer for Titan I. Hence, the troops who maintained it were affectionately addressed as roo-roo’s RS – Reentry system, the reentry vehicles, the bus, the shroud and other parts above the third stage in Minuteman III RSAT – the Reserve Security Alert Team at the LCF RV – reentry vehicle RV – reentry vehicle, the warhead and the aerospace ve -SAC Command and Control System. This is a teletype system connecting all SAC command posts and missile LCC’s. It’s purposes are to communicate the status of SAC forces and transmit EAM’s, also called 465L RV adapter – The adapter on the top of the Atlas-D tank section where the RV was mounted SAFO – Safe Altitude Fuzing Option (BOMARC) SAGE – Semi-Automatic Ground Environment, developed to monitor all airborne threats and control intercepts to counter these with the BOMARC, Nike and Air Defense Command interceptor aircraft Salvo – a launch of all missiles in the flight or squadron at a single time SAS – it had two meanings – early in the life of missiles, it meant sealed authentication sytem (the cookies, or documents crews used to authenticate mesages. In Minuteman, it also was a new electronics mod called the Secure Authentication System SAT – Security Alert Team, consisting of two Air Force Security Policemen. They respond to Security Alert Messages from the FSC or other sources, usually by driving several miles out to the affected LF in a pickup truck or Humvee. They are typically armed with M-16 rifles and a large supply of ammunition. SATE – Semi-Automatic Test Equipment, semi-trailer based test set to check out Atlas D Airborne Guidance Set, consisting of the Rate Beacon, Pulse Beacon and the Decoder. It was supposed to be pulled to the Complex, used to check out the guidance and then returned to the base. Warren never did pull it to a complex because if moved inside the MAB it normally took several days to get a good self test. SCC – Security Control Center, the room in the LCF or MAF where the security controller oversees flight and LCF/ MAF security SCOBEA – self contained oxygen breathing apparatus, oxygen tanks and mask for survival and escape in early missile silos Scott Air Pack – another small, self contained oxygen breathing apparatus SCP – Squadron Command Post, an LCC with extra SACCS and HF communications gear. It is in operational field command of the Squadron. SCS – safety control swith, the first switch you would secure when you entered the silo to make sure the missile could not launch while you were down there! SCS – see DSCS Sector Commander – In Titan II, each squadron had three sectors of three missiles each, with a major or lieutenant colonel in the position. SELM – Simulated Electronic Launch, Minuteman, a ground test of the flight or squadron launch capability. Replace the M with a P and it is the Peacekeeper version Seventy-Two – Similar to a 48, but longer SHANICLE – Matador Short Range Navigation Vehicle guidance system employing a pair of master and slave microwave ground stations to generate an azimuth for the missile’s flight to the target, and a second pair of master/ slave stations to generate the distance to the target. Sheriff or Sky Cop – The armed Security Police escort for a dispatching team Silo – the vertical hole where the missile is stored for launch – the press always calls the place the crew stays the silo – almost true when in Atlas and Titan when the LCC was adjacent SIOP – the Single Integrated Operational Plan, the overall war plans for all nuclear weapons Site – the above or below ground facility where a single or multiple missiles are (three in Titan I and Atlas D) Site Chief – the senior maintenance NCO at a Titan I site Site Commander – a major or lieutenant colonel in command of a Titan I site Six-pack – the six passenger pickup truck used to transport maintenance troops or security, often a four wheel drive vehicle SKYBIRD – A collective radio call sign for certain SAC forces. SKYKING – A collective radio call sign for all SAC assets. SLFCS – Survivable Low Frequency Communications System, a slow radio system (very low frequency) originally using two large antennae in California and Nebraska that provided a backup method to transmit EWO messages to the combat crews, the 487L system SM-80 – Original designation for the Minuteman missile SMS /W – Strategic Missile Squadron/Wing. SMSB – missile support base (also called home) SMUT – Site Security Maintenance Teams SNES – Strategic Nuclear Exchange Simulation, a sort of global wargame briefing devised in the late 1970’s by the EWO instructors and planners at the 341SMW as a tool to fulfill EWO training requirements for missile crews. This was a truly excellent learning tool and briefing. The SNES briefing received wide dissemination throughout SAC and elsewhere. Sniffer – Draeger gas detector used to sense traces of MMH or nitric acid. Used with MMIII to detect reentry system leaks. Snorkel Parka – the heavy coat with the zipup hood covered with wolf hair (later fake) issued to crews and maintainers in the cold country. In the early days at some bases, AF members were required to have the parka in their car whenever they left the base SRAM – Short Range Attack Missile SRC – System Readiness Check-A total system check of the missile and shelter before placing the missile in Ready Storage status. At GLCM bases, the SRC was the part of the wing battle staff that kept the base operational – the survival recovery center SSCBM – shipping and storage container, ballistic missile, called the sis-ca-boom Standboard – the standardization evaluation crews, responsible for conducting crew evaluations Strat Alert – Short for Strategic Alert. One of several modes of Minuteman readiness for launch. Stretch – Putting an Atlas missile in physical stretch whenever one or the other of the fuel and oxidizer tanks were depressurized, for various maintenance tasks. Summer opening – pulling the RV van over the launcher closure on a Minuteman site and opening the closure under it without letting down the environmental covers on the sides of the van. Definitely not authorized if QC was in the area. Sunflake – an image that was half-sun-half-snowflake, this was the logo of the Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce. It was frequently printed with the slogan, We live here because we like it here. 321SMW personnel might not have been convinced T/S – Target Seeker. Radar unit in nose of missile (BOMARC) TAC Eval – the NATO equivalent of an ORI, a comprehensive evaluation of a wing’s warfighting capability. The evaluation team consisted of personnel from the NATO headquarters from all involved countries. Usually involved a lot of time in Chem gear Tank Watch – Monitoring the fuel and oxidizer pressure guages on an Atlas, either in the MAMS on the trailer or at the launch site. Tape Test – a tape with preparation and execution messages played at Pre-D and EWO training, that required a 100 percent score to pass – and one must pass before going on alert, or visit the office of the wing commander Target Bar – was built a few miles east of Conrad, Montana in the 564th SMS complex by an enterprising businessman when construction was begun on the Anti-Ballistic Missile system. The bar was built right across the road from the ABM site. Although much work was done, the site was never completed due to the ABM Treaty being signed. The Target Bar itself was completed, but when the ABM program was canceled, the owner moved the building back into town where it became the local Moose Hall. All that remains of the bar at it’s original location is a weed-infested parking lot, a concrete slab, and the sign. The sign, naturally enough, consisted of an archery style target on a white background, with a black arrow piercing the center of the red bullseye. TAT – Targeting and Alignment Team (Minuteman). Threeperson teams that lined up the missile so that it knew where it was before launching. Name later changed to CTT, Combat Targeting Team, to enhance the stature of the officer team member. TCC – Trip (or Transportation) Control Center. Transportation Squadron’s version of Job Control. They kept track of vehicle arrivals and departures and timed vehicle movements from point to point. Occasionally they called the squadron commander with an opinion that a vehicle may have moved too fast from point to point. TCCP – Tactical Countdown Continuation Procedures, Titan II missile crew workarounds to continue an aborted launch sequence – legal kluges TE – the Transporter Erector, the tractor and trailer used to transport and emplace a Minuteman TEAD – Technical Engineering and Analysis Division – later became TEB (Technical Engineering Branch). Officer engineers and enlisted people with electronics backgrounds, working as 2 man teams, 1 officer and 1 NCO. Initially had to be at least a TSgt to get into TEAD, later waivers allowed SSgt’s. High level trouble shooters for all Minuteman able to use contractor documents for troubleshooting (other maintenance teams could not use anything but the standard AF Tech. Orders) TEAD / TEAB /TEAT – technical engineering and analysis department (or branch or team), an office with officer engineers and enlisted specialists who worked and solved system problems not covered by the tech orders TED – technical engineering division (see TEAD) TEL – transporter/erector/launcher, the tractor and trailer used to transport, deploy and launch four GLCM missiles Three-one-twos (312’s, short for 312X0) – Missile electronic maintenance specialists TIC – Trainer Instructor Console, which controlled the MM MPTs. Located on a raised, enclosed platform that looked down on the crew being trained or evaluated. TIC operators also had to play the part of everyone that the crew could talk to on any means of communication TJ & the Bullfries – a musical group composed of crew members from Grand Forks — famous only for their appearances at Bump’s Bar in Arvila, North Dakota TMS/W – Tactical Missile Squadron/Wing TO – Technical Order. The crew dog’s bible, it describes how the weapon system works and contains operating instructions and fault procedures. Top Hand – the program that selects crew members to perform as test conductors at Vandenberg for the operational test launches Top side – were the sun light shines (whats that?) on a missile site. Training LF – a launch facility used for training – each Minuteman base has one on base, and sometimes designates an active LF as another TRUD – Time Remaining Until Dive (BOMARC) TRUT – Time Remaining Until Transition (BOMARC) TTB – Team Training Branch. The maintenance training folks responsible for post tech school on-site and recurring training. Tunnel Junction – one of the intersections of tunnels – inTitan I, there were several where two or more tunnels joined Two Man (Person) Policy – the policy that requires at least two qualified and trained people be present and in visual contact with each other while working on any aspect of a nuclear system Two Officer Policy – the policy requiring two trained and certified officers present for certain nuclear control tasks UHF – Ultra High Frequency radio, which provided contact with post attack command and control aircraft, the airborne launch control system aircraft, helicopters and received execution messages transmitted by the ECRS UDMH – Unsymmetrical Dimethyl Hydrazine – it made the big red cloud in Titan II if it leaked. Uff-da ! – all-purpose exclamation, the exact meaning of. which is known only to residents of North Dakota UH-1 (Huey) – helicopters that transported personnel and equipment from the base to LFs / LCFs Vandenfog – Typical weather at Vandenberg Vandyland – The slang name for Vandenberg AFB VCN – Visitor Control Number, a number agreed upon by the MCC and FSC, used to discreetly tell the MCC whether conditions topside are secure. VHF – Very High Frequency radio, primarily used to talk to maintenance and security teams VIHS – Vertical Integrated Horizontal Stabilizer on the Matador missile VLF – Very Low Frequency radio, used by the SFLCS. Wave Block – a launch time for a specific number of missiles in a squadron – under the early Wave Block Commit sequence, crews were required to calculate five or more launch times and ensure that only the missiles that were specified to launch at each time were committed VRSA – Voice Reporting Signal Assembly, the Minuteman unit that would aurally report missile and ground equipment faults VRSA – Voice Reporting Signal Assembly. Used in the Minuteman 1&2 LFs to verbally report faults to the LCF. V-Van – RV G&C van WCP – Wing Command Post, the on-base control facility that was the primary point of contact for the missile crew Whites – the one piece painter’s coverall worn by early crewmembers and many maintenance folks Writtens – during an evaluation, one phase that consisted of a long open-book test on the dash-one tech order WSA – weapons storage area, the on base secure facility where nuclear and non-nuclear warheads, bombs and related items are stored WSC – Weapon System Controller, the computer that runs the command and control equipment in each LGM-30G WS- 133B (CDB) LCC. WSCE – Weapon System Calibration Equipment. Used for verification testing of the mobile test equipment. (BOMARC) WSR – Weapon System Reliability, the probability that a missile in the alert force would reach its target if executed. A combination of the alert rate, launch reliability, boost or inflight reliability, reentry and warhead reliability. Combined with the CEP when laying the SIOP to determine target coverage WSSR – weapon system safety rules, the nuclear safety rules pertaining to a specific nuclear system, covering all aspects of the system’s operation and maintenance ZULU – Zulu or Greenwich Mean Time
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