EMCON — Emissions Control
ESM — Electronic Support Measures
Fire Scout — popular name of MQ-8C unmanned helicopter
Flanker — NATO code name for Su-27 series aircraft, to include the Su-30
FLIR — Forward Looking Infra-Red pod that detects heat contrasts
Fox — radio call associated with firing of air-to-air missile with type; “Fox-2” = Sidewinder
Fragged — as planned or previously assigned; “Proceed as fragged”
g — the force of gravity; “4 g’s” is four times the force of gravity
GCI — Ground Controlled Intercept
GPS — Global Positioning System
Greyhound — popular name for C-2 Carrier On-board Delivery aircraft, also known as the “COD”
Growler — popular name of EA-18G Airborne Electronic Attack aircraft, a Super Hornet variant
Gunner — squadron ordnance officer; typically a Chief Warrant Officer specially trained in weapons handling and loading
Hawkeye — popular name for E-2C Airborne Early Warning aircraft, also known as the Hummer
Hellfire — popular name for AGM-114 air-to-surface missile
Helo — helicopter
Hornet — popular name for FA-18C Strike Fighter.
HSC — Helicopter Combat Support Squadron flying MH-60S
HSM — Helicopter Maritime-Strike Squadron flying MH-60R
HUD — Head-Up Display; glass display in front of FA-18 pilot that depicts aircraft and weapons delivery information
ICS — Inter Cockpit Communication System
INDOPACOM U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Camp Smith, HI
IR — Infra-Red
ISR — Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
JASSM-ER — Joint Air-To-Surface Standoff Missile — Extended Range
J-10 — Indigenous Chinese-built fighter; aka Vigorous Dragon
J-11 — Chinese-built variant of Russian Su-27 Flanker
JO — Junior Officer — lieutenant (O-3) and below
JSF — Joint Strike Fighter; F-35 Lightning II
Knot — nautical mile per hour; one nautical mile is 2,000 yards or 6,000 feet
LCS — Littoral Combat Ship
LEX — Leading Edge Extension; narrow part of FA-18 wing leading to the nose of the aircraft
LSO — Landing Signal Officer, also known as “Paddles”
LRASM — Long Range Anti-Ship Missile
MALD — Miniature Air-Launched Decoy
MANPAD — Man Portable Air Defense System. (“Hand-held” SAM)
Nugget — first cruise pilot
NVGs — Night Vision Goggles
PIM — Position of Intended Movement
PLA — People’s Liberation Army; (N)-Navy, (AF)-Air Force
PLAT — Pilot Landing Aid Television; closed circuit video picture of flight deck operations
Plug — take fuel from airborne tanker
Poseidon — popular name for P-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft
PRC — People’s Republic of China
Rhino — slang name for FA-18E/F Super Hornet
ROE — Rules of Engagement
Romeo — slang name for MH-60R Seahawk
RTB — Return to Base
SAM — Surface-to-air missile
SAR — Search and Rescue (CSAR is Combat Search and Rescue)
SATCOM — Satellite Communications
SCS — South China Sea
Seahawk — popular name for MH-60 series multi-mission helicopter
Seventh Fleet — U.S. Navy numbered fleet responsible for Western Pacific
Sidewinder — popular name for AIM-9 infrared heat seeking air-to-air missile
Sierra — slang name for MH-60S Seahawk
SLAM-ER — Standoff Land Attack Missile — Expanded Response
Super Hornet — popular name for upgraded FA-18E/F single seat or two-place Strike Fighter with increased range and payload; also known as “Rhino”
Tomahawk — Surface and subsurface-launched land-attack cruise missile, aka TLAM
Trap — arrested landing
Triton — Popular name for MQ-4 unmanned surveillance aircraft
UAV — Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
UCAV — Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle
VAQ — Fixed Wing Electronic Attack squadron
VAW — Fixed Wing Early Warning squadron
VFA — Fixed Wing Fighter Attack squadron
VID — visual identification
VLS — Vertical Launch System; missile launchers found on cruisers and destroyers
VMFA — Marine Corps Fixed Wing Fighter Attack Squadron
Winchester — out of ordnance
WESTPAC — Western Pacific
WSO — Weapons Systems Officer
XO — Executive Officer
CVW-15 “Wolfpack” call letters NL “November Lima”
VFA-152 Gun Fighters (100) “Sniper” FA-18E RR 7
VFA-26 Mustangs (200) “Bronco” FA-18F RR 5
VMFA-335 Panthers (300) “Panther” FA-18C RR 8
VFA-156 Sharks (400) “Shark” FA-18E RR 6
VAQ-143 War Horses (500) “Montana” EA-18G RR 1
VAW-118 Sentinels (600) “Lookout” E-2D RR 2
HSC-19 Vindicators (610) “Powerhouse” MH-60S RR 4
HSM-76 Pouncers (700) “Magic” MH-60R RR 3
Map
Part I
Ta ta, tan tan; tan tan, ta ta.
(Fight fight, talk talk; talk talk, fight fight)
CHAPTER 1
Liao Chang stepped to the starboard side of the pilothouse and peered through the binoculars. There they are, he thought. A smile formed on his lips, and his body shivered from excitement.
Today was the day.
Finally, exactly 1,400 years since the time of Tang Dynasty, and after more than 100 years of foreign humiliation, China — under the Red Banner of the People’s Republic — was going to once again exert control over what belonged to it. Beginning today, and in these waters, the Han people, weak no longer, would unify all under heaven and return order to her ancient seas. Liao smiled again when he thought of the military history books that would have his name written alongside the names of Sun Tzu, Admiral Zheng He, and Chairman Mao himself.