Glossary

Abbreviations
Common abbreviations found in Military Radar documentation.

Team Code to Title, Personnel & Equipment Complement 1949
Code	Title	Personnel	Qty	Equipment	Qty
AB	Group Headquarters
AC	Mess Team - To establish and operate mess facilities for 85 aggregate personnel and increments thereof.	Cook Cooks helper	2 1
AE	Internal Squadron Headquarters Team - To organize, train, administer, and supply a small or internal squadron of a group including up to 750 aggregate personnel or any of several squadrons which are a part of an AC&W Group	Communications Officer Signal Officer (Commanding Officer) Adjutant Mess-Supply Officer Motor Transport Technician Auto Equipment Mechanic Clerk Non-typist Draftsman Auto Equipment Operator Clerk Typist First Sergeant Armorer Communications Technician Communications Support Technician Supply Technician Supply Clerk Mess Sergeant Heavy Equipment Operator	1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1	AN/TRC-7 AN/VRC-1 SCR-188 SCR-511 RC-261 RC-289 TC-12	2 2 4 2 2 2 1
CB	Message Center Team
CD	FM Team - To install, maintain and operate one FM radio set such as AN/TRC-1.	Radio Operator	3	AN/TRA-1 AN/TRA-2 AN/TRC-1	1 1 1
CE	FM Radio Relay Team - To install, operate and maintain one FM radio relay set such as AN/TRC-4, for extending the range of a FM radio communications system	Radio Repairman Radio Operator	1 2	AN/TRA-1 AN/TRC-4	2 1
CF	HF Radio Team - To install, maintain and operate a radio station which will constitute the terminal facility of one HF radio circuit.	Radio Repairman Radio Operator HSM Radio Operator LSN	1 2 1	SCR-188 or SCR-399	1 1
CG	Radio Teletype Team - To install, maintain and operate a FM radio teletype terminal with provisions for four (4) teletype trunks, three (3) voice trunks, 3 local teletype circuits, re-perforator facilities and switching facilities for ten teletype channels.	Repeaterman Teletype Operator Teletype Mechanic Radio Repairman	2 3 1 2	AN/TRA-1 AN/TRC-3 EE-98 TC-3 TC-16 TC-21 TC-22 TC-24	2 1 3 1 1 1 1 2
CH	VHF Team - To install maintain and operate two channels of VHF air-ground radio communications including remote control facilities.	Clerk Non-typist Radio Operator CHS	2 5	AN/TRA-1 AN/TRA-2 AN/TRA-5 AN/TRC-1 AN/TRC-7 RC-261 SCR-573 SCR-574	4 4 1 4 1 1 1 1
CI	Wire Maintenance Team - To construct and maintain local field wire and tactical cable system as required for Aircraft Control and Warning Systems.	Installer Repairman Lineman Wire Repairman VHF	2 4 1
FD	Control and Filter Team
FG	GCI Team - To install and maintain authorized equipment and to perform GCI operations for limited periods at a radar station operated by RD team.	Controller, Fighter Interceptor Radar Operator Radio Operator CHS	2 2 2	AN/CRC-2 AN/TRA-1 AN/TRA-2 AN/TRC-1	1 2 2 2
FH	Plotter-teller Team - To operate, on a rotational basis for each period as directed, one position of plotting telling, secondary, status clerk, raid clerk, scope operating and/or similar posting or plotting position associated with the operations of an Early Warning Station, GCI Station, ADCC, or other installation where such functions are performed.	Information Center Operator	4
RB	Control and Reporting Unit, Heavy - To install, maintain and operate a GCI Station employing AN/CPS-6 or AN/CPS-1 with associated equipment independently or as integral part of an Aircraft Control and Warning System.	Air Warning Ground Reporting Officer Air Warning Filter Officer Communications Officer Radio Officer Controller Fighter Intercept Controller Fighter Intercept GCI Auto Equipment Mechanic Clerk Non-typist Draftsman Powerman Repeaterman Teletype Operator Teletype Mechanic Auto Equipment Operator Information Center Operator Radar Operator Intelligence Specialist Information Center Equipment Technician Radio Repairman Telephone Switchboard Operator Radio Operator CHS Radio Operator HSM Intercept Control Technician Radio Repairman VHF Radar Repairman Reporting Equipment	3 2 1 1 2 3 3 3 1 6 2 2 1 4 37 28 2 2 7 3 10 7 2 1 7	AB-16/CPS AB-94( )CPX AN/CPA-6 AN/CPA-7 AN/CPS-8 AN/CPS-1 AN/CPS-4 AN/CPS-6 AN/CPX-1 AN/CPX-6 AN/CBC-2 AN/TPS-1B AN/TPS-10 AN/TRA-1 AN/TRA-2 AN/TRA-5 AN/TRC-1 AN/TRC-3 AN/TRC-7 AN/TTQ-1 AN/CRC-1 BN-2 EE-98 LC-509 MX-26/TP MX264/TP PE-75 PE-95 PE-185 Pe-210 RC-261 RC-289 SCR-188 SCR-399 SCR-573 SCR-574 SCR-607 SCR-624 SCR-634 TC-3 TC-4 TC-16 TC-21 TC-22 TC-24 TP-14	1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 16 12 2 12 2 4 1 4 1 6 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 4 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 4 2
RD	Heavy Operating Unit - To install, maintain and operate an air surveillance radar installation, utilizing heavy radar AN/CPS-5, independently or as integral part of an Aircraft Control and Warning System.	Air Warning Officer Auto Equipment Mechanic Cook Powerman Construction Machine Operator Clerk-Typist Radar Operator Cook's Helper Radio Repairman Radio Operator HSM Supply Technician Radar Repairman Ground Heavy Auto Equipment Operator	2 1 2 2 1 1 15 1 1 3 1 3 1	AB-16/CPS AB-94( )/CPS AN/CPA-5 AN/CPA-6 AN/CPS-4 or AN/CPS-5 AN/CPX-2 AN/TRA-2 AN/TRC-1 BD-72 PE-185 SCR-188	1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 2
RE	Stand-by Unit - To maintain an air surveillance radar equipment stand-by status and to operate for short intermittent periods.	Air Warning Ground Reporting HQ Officer Powerman Radar Operator (Designated Set) Radio Operator HSM Radio Operator LS Radar Repairman Reporting Equipment	1 1 2 1 1 1	AB-16/CPS AN-94( )/CPX AN/CPA-6 AN/CPS-5 AN/CPX-2 ANTRA-1 AN/TRA-2 AN/TRC-1 BD-71 PE-185 SCR-188	1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
RF	Operator Team - To operate, on an rotational basis for such period as directed, one position of plotting telling, secondary, status clerk, raid clerk, scope operating and/or similar posting or plotting position associated with the operations of an Early Warning Station, GCI Station, ADCC, or other installation where such functions are performed.	Radar Operator	4
MB	Squadron Medical Section - To establish and operate a medical aid post with a squadron headquarters.	Medical Technician Medical Administration Specialist	2 1
MC	Unit Medical Team - to establish and operate a medical aid post at a radar site.	Medical Technician	2

 

Authorized Code words for AC&W Unit abbreviated status reporting, 1949
Big Weapon	Primary Radar Set
Little Weapon	Secondary Radar Set
Big Item	Primary IFF Set
Little Item	Secondary IFF Set
Big How	Primary Height Finder
Little How	Secondary Height Finder
Big Harry	SCR-399
Little Harry	SCR-188
Fox	FM Radio Set
Voice	VHF/AG Equipment
Homer	VHF/DF Equipment
Lightning	Interference (RCM or other)
Peter	Power Unit
Level	Land line

 

Definitions
Definitions commonly found in radar documents

Activate. To bring into physical existence by assignment of   personnel (from 1922-1959, and again after 1968). In 1922, "activate" replaced the term "organize." During      the period 1959-1968, however, activate meant to place on the active list, available to be organized. See   also "organize."

Air Defense Control Center. This agency controls the work of the various radar detachments and direction centers within the Air Division. It is essentially an information, communications and operations coordination center. Unlike the direction center, it is not normally equipped to guide fighter forces to interception with the enemy. Its capacity to influence the air battle stems from its position in the chain of command, and the fighter units under its tactical control, a large part of which it holds as reserve forces to be released to the most advantageously located air direction center for intercept direction. The final identification of flights as hostile is another function of the control center.

Air Defense Direction Center. Essentially this unit consist of a short range air surveillance and height finding radar, an operations room and communications equipment. Its principal function is to detect enemy aircraft and to "vector" (direct to the correct compass point) assigned fighters to an interception with the "bandits" (enemy planes). It furnishes most of the combat intelligence information on which decisions are based at he control center, air division and other higher headquarters. The air direction center exercises tactical operational control, but not command, over such intercept fighters, anti-aircraft and other air defense forces assigned to it. For tactical control it is, in turn, subordinate to the air control center of the sector.

Aircraft Warning Service - The Aircraft Warning Service is an organization, the chief function of which is to supply early information of enemy aircraft in the form desired by the interceptor commander

Area Control Team. 1947, provides controllers and controllers assistants for manning one area controller's position 24 hours daily. When used with Teams Control Filter Center and Control and Reporting Unit, it augments the integral area control capabilities of those teams by one area controller's position for each Area Control Team added. This may be necessary where Area Control Team or Control and Reporting Unit operates in areas where the air traffic is heavy. When used with Forward Director Post or Radar Filter Center Teams care must be exercised that the air-ground communications facilities required for control are available either integral with Forward Director Post or Radar Filter Center teams.

Assign. To place in a military organization, as a permanent   element or component of that organization.

Attach. To place one military organization temporarily with   another for operational control and other purposes,  including administration and logistical support. An attached organization is one that is temporarily serving away from the establishment to which it is   assigned. It is usually attached to another establishment.

Authorize. To designate an organization and place it on the   inactive Army list. Used during the middle and late 1920s and early 1930s in place of "constitute,"   particularly for organizations held for an emergency      and not scheduled for immediate activation.

Consolidate. To combine two (or more) organizations, merging their lineage into a single line, thereby   forming a single organization. Organizations with concurrent or overlapping periods of activation cannot      be consolidated.

Constitute. After 1922, to give an official name, or number and name, to an organization and place it on the   inactive Army/Air Force List. See also "designate."

Control Filter Center. 1947, Provide personnel and equipment for:
a. Plotting and filtering of reports from 3 radars, or from one AN/CPS-1, AN/CPS-5, or similar multi-position type radars.
b. Operating two area controller positions 24 hours daily under supervision of a chief controller.
c. Maintaining weather, aircraft status, raid and radar status boards 24 hours daily.
d. Identifying aircraft tracks.
e. Installation, operation and maintenance of its internal wire telephone plant.
f. Operating and maintaining power plants and motor vehicles.
g. Operating and maintaining 4 VHF air-ground radio channels including continuous recording of all traffic passing on each channel.
h. Operating and maintaining 7 HF point-to-point radio channels 24 hours daily. Plotting capacity of Control Filter Center Team may be increased to any reasonable number of radars (12-14) by adding more personnel in excess of basic three. The VHF air-ground channels may be increased in increments of two by adding VHF teams. Additional status boards may be manned by adding one Plotter Teller team for each additional status board. The identification and radar filter capacity may be increased by adding Radar Filter team. The FM radio point-to-point capacity also may be increased by the addition of Radio Teletype and VHF Radio teams. The HF radio capacity may be increased by the addition of HF Operator teams. Outside wire installation and maintenance other than long trunk or open wire lines may be provided for by including Wire Maintenance teams.

Control and Reporting Unit, Heavy. 1947, Provides the minimum necessary personnel and equipment to install, operate and maintain a control and report unit (heavy), including the following facilities:
a. 4 VHF air-ground channels
b. 3 HF Point-to-point channels
c. 2 radio teletype channels
d. 6 teletype machines with limited operator personnel
e. Radar operators to man all scopes including supervisor, reporting, height and IFF scopes and in case of the AN/CPS-1, a height teller's position. One of the 11 scopes is manned part time only.
f. Radar, radio and wire communication repair facilities for using echelon repair of communication equipment.
g. A chief and one deputy controller positions.
h. 3 GCI controller positions, two of which are manned part-time only.
i. A chief filter and identification officer and one full-time filter and identification position. Provision is made for an assistant for identification and Y-services.
j. Sufficient guards to man two entrances to the control center.
k. A chief information center operator, full-time supervisor, 6 full-time and 3 part-time plotting positions, 4 status boards, one teller, one recorder and on IF height liaison positions.
l. 11 automotive equipment operators and automotive equipment mechanics to man a small transportation section. Additional duty as automotive equipment operator is proscribed for certain of the personnel.
m. A draftsman to assist in laying out plotting boards, maps, and to perform essential drafting function.
The following augmentations may be added where air traffic density warrants the increase:
a. One VHF team added for each additional 2 VHF air-ground radio channels required.
b. One HF team may be added for each additional HF radio channel required.
c. Additional radio carrier facilities may be provided by the additional of Radio Teletype teams. Provision must be made for similar personnel at the distant station in order to complete the link. Additional teletype operators may be provided for by adding Teletype teams. FM relay teams must be added where necessary.
d. One Radar operator team may be added for each additional radar operator position required.
e. One Area Control Team may be added for each additional area controller required. Provisions must be made for providing radio teams by adding the required communications teams.
f. The GCI facilities may be increased by adding additional PPI consoles, if required to the radar equipment and add GCI team for each additional GCI position.
g. The filter and identification capacity may be increased by adding one Plotter Teller team for each additional filter and identification position required.
h. One Plotter Teller team may be added for each full-time additional operator position required.
i. Where more than one D/F station an additional D/F Plotting team may be added.
j. Additional FM radio channels may be provided by the addition of FM Teams for each additional channel required.

Demobilize. To withdraw all personnel from an active organization and remove the organization entirely from the Army List. Used 1907-1922. See also "disband."

Designate. To give an official name, or number and name, to an organization and place it on the inactive Army List, 1907-1922. After 1922, see "constitute." Also to   give an official name, or number and name, to a    non constituted organization.

Designation. The name of a unit or establishment. The designation includes all parts of the name: numerical, functional, and generic. A designation also applies to named activities and certain functions.

D/F Plotting Team. 1947, Provides sufficient personnel to plot radio direction finding reports from 3 D/F stations and to tell reports to a navigation plotter (also provided for) who in turn plots the positions on the plotting board.

D/F Team (Radio). 1947, Provides personnel for operation of one VHF radio direction finding station and the FM radio equipment at the site.

Disband. After 1922, to remove an inactive organization   from the inactive Army/Air Force List. Shortly before   and during World War II, this action was also used to withdraw all personnel from an active organization and simultaneously remove the organization from the Army List. Replaced the term "demobilize."

Discontinue. To withdraw all personnel from a constituted organization, used only during period, 1959-1968. See "inactivate."

Disestablish. To terminate an establishment concurrent with disbandment of its headquarters organization, until    reestablished.

Establish. To assign a designation to an establishment concurrent with the designation or the constitution of   the headquarters organization.

Establishment. A military organization at group or higher  echelon composed of a headquarters organization and any other components that might be assigned. Personnel   are not assigned to an establishment, but to its components.

FM Team (Radio). 1947, Provides personnel and equipment necessary to operate an intermediate FM radio relay station for extending the range of an FM radio communication system.

Forward Control Team. 1947, This post is generally established in the forward area or at division or corps headquarters. It provides a means of close control so that aircraft in the vicinity of the controller may be directed to attach targets visually. The team is normally equipped with on AN/TRC-7 and one AFC-1. Additional communication facilities may be provided by addition of Wire Maintenance, Teletype (wire) and HF Radio Operator teams.

Forward Director Post. 1947, Provides minimum personnel and equipment so that when combined with Light Operating Unit (radar) and Heavy Operating Units (radar) teams, a Forward Director Post may be established. Plotting and radar filtering is provided for two incoming telling lines one of these may be used for the radar immediately associated with the forward director post while the other plots reports told from the operations board manned by Control and Filter Center and Control and Reporting Unit, Heavy (Radar) teams additional plotting positions may be provided by adding Area Control teams. Personnel to install and operate two VHF radio channels are included; additional VHF radio channels may be added in increments of two channels by the addition of VHF teams. Provision is made for three HF radio channels; additional HF radio channels may be added by including one HF team for each additional HF radio channel required. Provision is made to man one CGI controller position 24 hours daily.

Ground Controlled Interception (GCI) Team. 1947, Provides personnel and equipment necessary to establish a GCI post using the PPI tube at any station. Sufficient personnel and equipment are provided for to operate a GCI post 12 hours daily including a VHF radio channel and two FM point-to-point radio channels.

Group Headquarters. 1947, Provides personnel to exercise administrative and tactical supervision for a group of aggregate strength between 1600 and 4000. Includes attached medical personnel and chaplain.

Ground Observer Team. 1947, Provides personnel and equipment to run 5 ground observer posts, 4 outlying and one serving as net control station located at the relay point. In addition, provision is made for the operation of a radio set passing reports to the filter of control center but provisions must be made at the filter or control center for a radio station to complete the link. This amy be accomplished by adding one HF team for each Ground Observer team. An FM radio link may be added to by adding one FM team to each Ground Observer team and filter control center for each FM link.

Heavy Operating Unit (Radar). 1947, Provides personnel to install, operate and maintain heavy group report GCI, height finder radars such as AN/TPS-10, AN/CPS-6, SCR-270, SCR-271, SCR-587, SCR-588, SCR-584, SCR-616, SCR-626. Personnel to provided for map and plotting board and three scopes, one of which is an IFF scope. Sufficient operators and equipment are prescribed to run one HF radio and on FM radio channel. Provision for guard personnel to man one position are included. Provision is made for a minimum amount of administration, supply, mess, power plant and transportation personnel. Where additional radar scopes are required additional radar operators must be provided for by adding two Radar Operator teams for each additional position. Where additional radio channels are required one HF or FM team depending on whether an FM or HF radio channel is required, must be added for each such channel. In case the team is to be used to operate a GCI radar one GCI team must be added for each PPI scoped used for such purposes.

HF Operator Team. 1947, Provides personnel and equipment necessary to operate a high frequency radio station. This team is normally equipped with radio set SCR-188 which may be replaced with radio SCR-399.

Inactivate. To withdraw all personnel from a constituted organization and place the organization on the     inactive list (from 1922 to 1959 and from 1968 to date). During the period 1959-1968, however, to be   inactivated meant to be transferred from the active to the inactive list, after being discontinued.

Information center - The information center is a military installation in a region to which all reports of observations or detections of aircraft entering or operating in the area are submitted for identification. It is operated so that rapid identification of hostile aircraft will be made and the proper action employed to intercept and attack the enemy prior to the accomplishment of his mission.

Interceptor commander - The interceptor commanders are responsible for the protection of their respective territorial commands by denying the use of air space to hostile aviation.

Light Operating Unit (Radar). 1947, Provides personnel and equipment to install, operate and maintain light weight radar equipment such as AN/TPS-1, AN/TPS-2, AN/TPS-3, AN/TPS-10, SCR-602 or SCR-636 radar sets. It is assumed that FM radio will be used for passing plots and increases to FM teams will be increased as necessary. One HF Team will be necessary for each HF radio channel required. Where additional radar scopes are required additional radar operators must be provides by adding one Radar Operating Team for each additional position.

Maintenance Team (Wire). 1947, Provides personnel and equipment for constructing and maintaining local and short trunk telephone lines required in aircraft control and warning or tactical control systems.

Message Center Team. 1947, Provides personnel and facilities for operation of the group or separate squadron message center capable of handling approximately 80-100 15 word messages per 24-hour period. Message center officer and messenger center chief are included.

Operator Team (Radar). 1947, Provides personnel to man additional scopes and other operation teams as required to augment other teams. One team for each additional position operated continuously as required.

Order to the Active Service. To place a Reserve or National Guard organization on active duty with the regular Air Force.

Organization. The term organization applies to units and establishments.

Organize. To assign personnel to a designated organization (1907-1922), a non constituted organization (1944-  1968), or a constituted organization (1959-1968). See also "activate."

Plotter Teller Team. 1947, Provides personnel for manning 24 hours daily a plotting, telling, reporting, status clerk or similar posting or plotting position.

Radar Filter Center. 1947, Provides necessary personnel and equipment to man a radar filter room or small filter operations room. Provides sufficient plotting and filter personnel to man two incoming telling lines and to filter radar plots from a maximum of 5 radars. Additional incoming teller lines may be manned by addition of one team for each line. Personnel are provided to operate to HF radio channels for providing radio links with each of the basic two outlying radars; one additional HF team should be added for each outlying radar over the basic two. One HF team should be added for each HF radio channel required to higher headquarters adjacent plotting boards or operations rooms and for liaison or warning purposes. RM radio facilities may be provided for by the addition of FM teams. Controller functions may be provided by adding area teams as required.

Radar Filter Team. 1947, This team provides personnel capable of filtering reports from 5 radars or major fraction thereof. This team is also used to provide additional officers as required.

Radio Teletype Team. 1947, Provides personnel and equipment for operation of radar set AN/TRC-3, Telegraph and Telephone Terminal Sets TC-21 and TC-22, Teletype Equipment EE-98-A accessories and associated equipment. This team provides one terminal of FM radio communications link of 4 simultaneous telephone channels, one of which is capable of conversion to 4 teletype channels. May be required in some situations with Control Filter Center, which is not equipped with radio carrier facilities, or as an augmentation to Area Control Team to increase the carrier facilities over those provided for by the two integral systems.

Reconstitute. To return a disbanded or demobilized   organization to the inactive Army/Air Force List,     making it available for activation (1922-current).

Redesignate. To change the designation of an organization.
     Reestablish. To return a previously existing    establishment from disestablished status to the active   list, so that it can be activated.

Relieve from Active Duty. Reserve organizations are relieved from active duty with the regular Air Force   upon completion of a period of active duty. (AFHRA)

Separate Squadron Headquarters. 1947, Provides personnel to exercise administrative and tactical supervision of a separate squadron of aggregate strength between 750 and 2000. Includes attached medical personnel.

Small or Internal Squadron Headquarters. 1947, Provides personnel for a headquarters section of a small separate squadron up to 750 aggregate personnel, or of any of the several squadrons comprising a group. The essential administrative functions are manned but, the tactical planning staff has been deleted.

Stand-by Unit (Radar). 1947, Provides personnel to man a radar on standby basis. It is capable of maintaining the radar in proper operating condition, putting it in operation for at least one hour daily and maintaining sufficient records to assure the proper functioning of communications. In emergency this team is capable of putting the radar on the air and maintaining reports for a short period of time pending the arrival of additional personnel and equipment. In certain other cases where a short period of operations is required per day, Radar Operator team may be added to provide additional radar operators. In situations which warrant it those personnel may be provided by adding sufficient Mess teams to the organization to provide one or more cooks per Operator Team as required.

Teletype Team (Wire). 1947, Provides personnel for operating and maintaining one to four teletype machines. May be used to augment the integral teletype facilities of team Radio Teletype and Control and Reporting Unit. Added to the headquarters it provides facilities for one teletype machine operating continuously.

VHF Team (Radio). 1947, Provides personnel and equipment for the operation and maintenance of two VHF air-ground radio channels. The 4 VHF channels integral with Area Control Team and may be augment to increase to two channels.