| FAC |
Forward Air Controller
The forward air controller (FAC) had the
responsibility for calling in air strikes on
enemy positions. Usually flying a low-level,
low-speed aircraft, such as a single-engine
Cessna spotter plane, the FAC relayed information
to attack aircraft, helicopter gunships, or
high-altitude bombers. The FAC's on the ground
worked with Infantry Platoons and would call in
similar information, from the ground. |
| FIELD OF FIRE |
area that a weapon or
group of weapons can cover effectively. When
setting an ambush position you always checked out
where the field of fire was for the machine guns
... to ensure that you had the killing ground
effectively covered. |
| FINI |
French word for
finish. Used by the Vietnamese for finish.
Like when you only paid for a short time with a
girl and you are taking too long she would whine
"When you fini Ukdaloi?" |
| FIRE BASE |
temporary base set up
in the bush to provide artillery support for the
infantry in the field. |
| FIREFIGHT |
Us shooting at the
Nogs and them shooting back at us. |
| FIRE FOR EFFECT |
continual firing by
artillery. |
| FIRE MISSION |
artillery firing
bloody big shells into the area .... hopefully at
the Nogs |
| FLARE |
illumination
projectile fired either by a mortar or by
artillery. Used during contacts at night. |
| FO |
forward observer;
calls in fire missions to the artillery, like an
FAC but uses artillery rather than planes ...
travelled with infantry platoons. |
| FREE FIRE ZONE |
area in which
civilians were supposed to be excluded from. We
had the freedom to shoot at any target without
warning them first. |
| FRIENDLY FIRE |
fire from your own
forces mistakenly directed at you. Could be small
arms, artillery or from the air. The one thing
that it wasn't was ... friendly. |
| FTA |
F*ck The Army. Worn on
badges or beaded headbands or the like. When
questioned on it's meaning Australian soldiers
responded with "It means Forward To
Australia, sir!" |
