| TERMS & DEFINITIONS |
| 1C4 - The all encompassing term to describe a ROMAD. All ROMADs are 1C4s and all 1C4s are ROMADs. 1C4 is actually the first three digits of the Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) for the Tactical Air Command and Conrol career field Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center (ABCCC) - A USAF aircraft equipped with sufficient communications and data link equipment to act as an airborne command post or temporary ASOC. Air Force Air Request Net (AFARN) - The link between the ASOC and subordinate TACPs for request and coordination of immediate air support. Air Liason Officer - An Air Force Aviator assigned to a ground manuever unit who functions as the primary advisor to the ground commander on air operations matters. Author's note: This is the Joint Pub definition. In reality this job is mostly done by the ETAC at battalion levels and below. Air Support Operations Center (ASOC) - An agency of the Tactical Air Control System collocated with a corps headquarters or an appropriate land force headquarters, which coordinates and directs close air support and other tactical air support. Close Air Support (CAS) - Air action by fixed and rotary wing aircraft against hostile targets that are in close proximity to friendly forces and which require detailed integration of each air mission with the fire and movement of those forces. Enlisted Terminal Attack Controller (ETAC) - A highly trained enlisted member of the TACP who is qualified to perform terminal control of aircraft engaged in close air support and provide liason to army manuever units on CAS employment. ETACs are often the the only liason provided to echelons at battalion and below and sometimes at brigades. Forward Air Controller (FAC) - An officer member of the tactical air control party who, from a forward ground or airborne position, controls aircraft in close air support of ground troops. Author's Note 2: Also a joint pub definition. A FAC is ANYONE who is in a position to observe and control CAS. In the case of the Army/Air Force, the FAC will most likely be the ETAC. Marine TACPs will always have an officer as the primary FAC. Forward Air Controller (Airborne) - A specifically trained and qualified aviator who exercises control from the air of aircraft engaged in close air support of groung troops. The FAC (A) is normally an airborne extension of the TACP. ROMAD - The unofficial term used to describe a Tactical Air Command and Control Specialist. (See "What's a ROMAD?) The original definition of the acronym was Radio Operator Maintainer and Driver. The updated meaning is Recon Observe Mark And Destroy (a much more realistic definition of what the modern ROMAD does). Other definitions include, but are not limited to: Rude Obnoxious Mean And Drunk Radios Occasionally, Mostly Additional Duties Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) - A subordinate operational component of the tactical air control system designed to provide air liason to land forces and for the control of aircraft. Tactical Air Direction (TAD) Net - A communications net used primarily by the TACP for the direction and control of aircraft engaged in close air support. Terminal Control - The authority to direct the manuever of aircraft which are delivering ordnance, passengers, or cargo to a specific location or target. Terminal control is a type of air control. |
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