Glossary

Abbreviations
Common abbreviations found in Military Radar documentation.

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.

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."

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    nonconstituted 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.

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.

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.

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 nonconstituted organization (1944-  1968), or a constituted organization (1959-1968). See   also "activate."

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)