US Army Dictionary of Military Terms

phase of disengagement or withdrawal has been completed. See also area of limitation; buffer zone; disengagement; peace operations. (JP 3-07.3)

line of departure — (*) 1. In land warfare, a line designated to coordinate the departure of attack elements. 2. In amphibious warfare, a suitably marked offshore coordinating line to assist assault craft to land on designated beaches at scheduled times. Also called LD.

line overlap — See overlap, Part 1.

line-route map — A map or overlay for signal communications operations that shows the actual routes and types of construction of wire circuits in the field. It also gives the locations of switchboards and telegraph stations. See also map.

line search — (*) Reconnaissance along a specific line of communications, such as a road, railway or waterway, to detect fleeting targets and activities in general.

lines of operations — Lines that define the directional orientation of the force in time and space in relation to the enemy. They connect the force with its base of operations and its objectives. (JP 5-0)

link — (*) 1. In communications, a general term used to indicate the existence of communications facilities between two points. 2. A maritime route, other than a coastal or transit route, which links any two or more routes.

link encryption — The application of online crypto-operation to a link of a communications system so that all information passing over the link is encrypted in its entirety.

link-lift vehicle — The conveyance, together with its operating personnel, used to satisfy a movement requirement between nodes.

link-route segments — Route segments that connect nodes wherein link-lift vehicles perform the movement function.

liquid explosive — (*) Explosive which is fluid at normal temperatures.

liquid propellant — Any liquid combustible fed to the combustion chamber of a rocket engine.

listening watch — A continuous receiver watch established for the reception of traffic addressed to, or of interest to, the unit maintaining the watch, with complete log optional.

list of targets — A tabulation of confirmed or suspect targets maintained by any echelon for informational and fire support planning purposes. See also target list.

litter — A basket or frame utilized for the transport of injured persons.

litter patient — A patient requiring litter accommodations while in transit.

load — (*) The total weight of passengers and/or freight carried on board a ship, aircraft, train, road vehicle, or other means of conveyance. See also airlift capability; airlift requirement; allowable load.

load control group — (*) Personnel who are concerned with organization and control of loading within the pick-up zone.

loading — (*) The process of putting personnel, materiel, supplies and other freight on board ships, aircraft, trains, road vehicles, or other means of conveyance. See also embarkation.

loading chart (aircraft) — Any one of a series of charts carried in an aircraft that shows the proper location for loads to be transported and that pertains to check-lists, balance records, and clearances for weight and balance.

loading (ordnance) — An operation that installs airborne weapons and stores on or in an aircraft and may include fuzing of bombs and stray voltage checks. See also loading; ordnance. (JP 3-04.1)

loading plan — (*) All of the individually prepared documents which, taken together, present in detail all instructions for the arrangement of personnel, and the loading of equipment for one or more units or other special grouping of personnel or material moving by highway, water, rail, or air transportation. See also ocean manifest.

loading point — (*) A point where one aircraft can be loaded or unloaded.

loading site — (*) An area containing a number of loading points.

loading time — In airlift operations, a specified time, established jointly by the airlift and airborne commanders concerned, when aircraft and loads are available and loading is to begin. (JP 3-17)

loadmaster — An Air Force technician qualified to plan loads, to operate auxiliary materials handling equipment, and to supervise loading and unloading of aircraft. (JP 3-17)

load signal — In evasion and recovery operations, a visual signal displayed in a covert manner to indicate the presence of an individual or object at a given location. See also evasion; evasion and recovery; recovery operations; signal. (JP 3-50.3)

load spreader — (*) Material used to distribute the weight of a load over a given area to avoid exceeding designed stress.

localizer — (*) A directional radio beacon which provides to an aircraft an indication of its lateral position relative to a predetermined final approach course. See also instrument landing system.

local mean time — (*) The time interval elapsed since the mean sun’s transit of the observer’s anti-meridian.

local procurement — The process of obtaining personnel, services, supplies, and equipment from local or indigenous sources.

local purchase — The function of acquiring a decentralized item of supply from sources outside the Department of Defense.

lock on — Signifies that a tracking or target-seeking system is continuously and automatically tracking a target in one or more coordinates (e.g., range, bearing, elevation).

lodgment — A designated area in a hostile or potentially hostile territory that, when seized and held, makes the continuous landing of troops and materiel possible and provides maneuver space for subsequent operations. See also hostile. (JP 3-18)

lodgment area — See airhead, Part 1; beachhead.

loft bombing — A method of bombing in which the delivery plane approaches the target at a very low altitude, makes a definite pullup at a given point, releases the bomb at a predetermined point during the pullup, and tosses the bomb onto the target. See also toss bombing.

logistic assessment — An evaluation of: a. the logistic support required to support particular military operations in a theater, country, or area; and b. the actual and/or potential logistic support available for the conduct of military operations either within the theater, country, or area, or located elsewhere.

logistic estimate of the situation — An appraisal resulting from an orderly examination of the logistic factors influencing contemplated courses of action in order to provide conclusions concerning the degree and manner of that influence.

logistic implications test — An analysis of the major logistic aspects of a joint strategic war plan and the consideration of the logistic implications resultant therefrom as they may limit the acceptability of the plan. The logistic analysis and consideration are conducted concurrently with the development of the strategic plan. The objective is to establish whether the logistic requirements generated by the plan are in balance with availabilities, and to set forth those logistic implications that should be weighed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff in their consideration of the plan. See also feasibility test.

logistic and movement control center — A center organized from service support elements (or the supporting establishment) in the geographic proximity of the marshaling units. It is tasked by the force movement control center to provide organic and commercial transportation, transportation scheduling, materials handling equipment, and all other logistic support required by parent commands during marshaling and embarkation. Also called LMCC. See also control center; embarkation; force movement; marshalling. (JP 4-01.8)

logistic marking and reading symbology —

A system designed to improve the flow of cargo through the seaport of embarkation and debarkation using bar code technology. See also logistics. (JP 4-01.6)

logistic routes — See line of communications.

logistics — The science of planning and carrying out the movement and maintenance of forces. In its most comprehensive sense, those aspects of military operations which deal with: a. design and development, acquisition, storage, movement, distribution, maintenance, evacuation, and disposition of materiel; b. movement, evacuation, and hospitalization of personnel; c. acquisition or construction, maintenance, operation, and disposition of facilities; and d. acquisition or furnishing of services.

logistics over-the-shore operation area —

That geographic area required to successfully conduct a logistics over-the- shore operation. Also called LOA. See also logistics over-the-shore operations.

(JP 4-01.6)

logistics over-the-shore operations — The loading and unloading of ships without the benefit of deep draft-capable, fixed port facilities in friendly or nondefended territory and, in time of war, during phases of theater development in which there is no opposition by the enemy; or as a means of moving forces closer to tactical assembly areas dependent on threat force capabilities. Also called LOTS operations. See also joint logistics over-the-shore operations.

(JP 4-01.8)

logistic sourcing — The identification of the origin and determination of the availability of the time-phased force and deployment data nonunit logistic requirements.

logistic support — Logistic support encompasses the logistic services, materiel, and transportation required to support the continental United States-based and worldwide deployed forces.

logistic support (medical) — Medical care, treatment, hospitalization, and evacuation as well as the furnishing of medical services, supplies, materiel, and adjuncts thereto.

long-range bomber aircraft — A bomber designed for a tactical operating radius over 2,500 nautical miles at design gross weight and design bomb load.

long-range transport aircraft — See transport aircraft.

long ton — 2,240 pounds. Also called LT; L/T; or LTON. (JP 4-01.7)

look — (*) In mine warfare, a period during which a mine circuit is receptive of an influence.

loran — (*) A long-range radio navigation position fixing system using the time difference of reception of pulse type transmissions from two or more fixed stations. This term is derived from the words long-range electronic navigation.

lot — Specifically, a quantity of material all of which was manufactured under identical conditions and assigned an identifying lot number.

low airburst — (*) The fallout safe height of burst for a nuclear weapon which maximizes damage to or casualties on surface targets. See also types of burst.

low-altitude missile engagement zone — See weapon engagement zone. (JP 3-52)

low-altitude parachute extraction system

— A low-level, self-contained system capable of delivering heavy loads into an area where air landing is not feasible from an optimum aircraft wheel altitude of 5 to 10 feet above ground level. One or more platforms may be dropped. Also called LAPES. (JP 3-17)

low angle — (*) In artillery and naval gunfire support, an order or request to obtain low angle fire.

low angle fire — (*) Fire delivered at angles of elevation below the elevation that corresponds to the maximum range of the gun and ammunition concerned.

low angle loft bombing — (*) Type of loft bombing of free fall bombs wherein weapon release occurs at an angle less than 35 degrees above the horizontal. See also loft bombing.

low dollar value item — An item that normally requires considerably less management effort than those in the other management intensity groupings.

low level flight — See terrain flight.

low level transit route — (*) A temporary corridor of defined dimensions established in the forward area to minimize the risk to friendly aircraft from friendly air defenses or surface forces. Also called LLTR.

low oblique — See oblique air photograph.

low velocity drop — (*) A drop procedure in which the drop velocity does not exceed 30 feet per second.

low visibility operations — Sensitive operations wherein the political-military restrictions inherent in covert and

clandestine operations are either not necessary or not feasible; actions are taken as required to limit exposure of those involved and/or their activities. Execution

of these operations is undertaken with the knowledge that the action and/or sponsorship of the operation may preclude plausible denial by the initiating power.

mach number — The ratio of the velocity of a body to that of sound in the surrounding medium.

magnetic bearing — See bearing.

magnetic circuit — See magnetic mine.

magnetic compass — (*) An instrument containing a freely suspended magnetic element which displays the direction of the horizontal component of the Earth’s magnetic field at the point of observation.

magnetic declination — (*) The angle between the magnetic and geographical meridians at any place, expressed in degrees east or west to indicate the direction of magnetic north from true north. In nautical and aeronautical navigation, the term magnetic variation is used instead of magnetic declination and the angle is termed variation of the compass or magnetic variation. Magnetic declination is not otherwise synonymous with magnetic variation which refers to regular or irregular change with time of the magnetic declination, dip, or intensity. See also magnetic variation.

magnetic equator — (*) A line drawn on a map or chart connecting all points at which the magnetic inclination (dip) is zero for a specified epoch. Also called aclinic line.

magnetic mine — (*) A mine which responds to the magnetic field of a target.

magnetic minehunting — The process of using magnetic detectors to determine the presence of mines or minelike objects.

magnetic north — (*) The direction indicated by the north seeking pole of a freely suspended magnetic needle,

influenced only by the Earth’s magnetic field.

magnetic tape — A tape or ribbon of any material impregnated or coated with magnetic or other material on which information may be placed in the form of magnetically polarized spots.

magnetic variation — (*) 1. In navigation, at a given place and time, the horizontal angle between the true north and magnetic north measured east or west according to whether magnetic north lies east or west of true north. See also magnetic declination.

2. In cartography, the annual change in direction of the horizontal component of the Earth’s magnetic field.

mail embargo — A temporary shutdown or redirection of mail flow to or from a specific location. (JP 1-0)

main airfield — (*) An airfield planned for permanent occupation in peacetime, also suitable for use in wartime and having sufficient operational facilities for full use of its combat potential. See also airfield; departure airfield; diversion airfield; redeployment airfield.

main armament — The request of the observer or spotter to obtain fire from the largest guns installed on the fire support ship.

main attack — (*) The principal attack or effort into which the commander throws the full weight of the offensive power at his disposal. An attack directed against the chief objective of the campaign, major operation, or battle.

main battle area — That portion of the battlefield in which the decisive battle is

fought to defeat the enemy. For any particular command, the main battle area extends rearward from the forward edge of the battle area to the rear boundary of the command’s subordinate units.

main convoy — (*) The convoy as a whole which sails from the convoy assembly port/ anchorage to its destination. It may be supplemented by joiners or joiner convoys, and leavers or leaver convoys may break off.

main deck — The highest deck running the full length of a vessel (except for an aircraft carrier’s hanger deck). See also watercraft. (JP 4-01.6)

main detonating line — (*) In demolition, a line of detonating cord used to transmit the detonation wave to two or more branches.

main line of resistance — A line at the forward edge of the battle position, designated for the purpose of coordinating the fire of all units and supporting weapons, including air and naval gunfire. It defines the forward limits of a series of mutually supporting defensive areas, but it does not include the areas occupied or used by covering or screening forces.

main operations base — In special operations, a base established by a joint force special operations component commander or a subordinate special operations component commander in friendly territory to provide sustained command and control, administration, and logistical support to special operations activities in designated areas. Also called

MOB. See also advanced operations base; forward operations base. (JP 3-05.3)

main supply route — The route or routes designated within an operational area upon

which the bulk of traffic flows in support of military operations. Also called MSR.

maintain — When used in the context of deliberate planning, the directed command will keep the referenced operation plan, operation plan in concept format, or concept summary, and any associated Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES) automated data processing files active in accordance with applicable tasking documents describing the type and level of update or maintenance to be performed. General guidance is contained in JOPES, Volumes I and II. See also archive; retain.

maintenance area — A general locality in which are grouped a number of maintenance activities for the purpose of retaining or restoring materiel to a serviceable condition.

maintenance engineering — The application of techniques, engineering skills, and effort, organized to ensure that the design and development of weapon systems and equipment provide adequately for their effective and economical maintenance.

maintenance (materiel) — 1. All action taken to retain materiel in a serviceable condition or to restore it to serviceability. It includes inspection, testing, servicing, classification as to serviceability, repair, rebuilding, and reclamation. 2. All supply and repair action taken to keep a force in condition to carry out its mission. 3. The routine recurring work required to keep a facility (plant, building, structure, ground facility, utility system, or other real property) in such condition that it may be continuously used at its original or designed capacity and efficiency for its intended purpose.

maintenance status — 1. A nonoperating condition, deliberately imposed, with

adequate personnel to maintain and preserve installations, materiel, and facilities in such a condition that they may be readily restored to operable condition in a minimum time by the assignment of additional personnel and without extensive repair or overhaul. 2. That condition of materiel that is in fact, or is administratively classified as, unserviceable, pending completion of required servicing or repairs. 3. A condition of materiel readiness that reports the level of operational readiness for a piece of equipment.

major combat element — Those organizations and units described in the Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan that directly produce combat capability. The size of the element varies by Service, force capability, and the total number of such elements available. Examples are Army divisions and separate brigades, Air Force squadrons, Navy task forces, and Marine expeditionary forces. See also major force.

major disaster — See domestic emergencies.

major fleet — A principal, permanent subdivision of the operating forces of the Navy with certain supporting shore activities. Presently there are two such fleets: the Pacific Fleet and the Atlantic Fleet. See also fleet.

major force — A military organization comprised of major combat elements and associated combat support, combat service support, and sustainment increments. The major force is capable of sustained military operations in response to plan employment requirements. See also major combat element.

major nuclear power — (*) Any nation that possesses a nuclear striking force capable of posing a serious threat to every other nation.

major operation — A series of tactical actions (battles, engagements, strikes) conducted by various combat forces of a single or several Services, coordinated in time and place, to accomplish operational and, sometimes, strategic objectives in an operational area. These actions are conducted simultaneously or sequentially in accordance with a common plan and are controlled by a single commander. See also operation. (JP 3-0)

major weapon system — One of a limited number of systems or subsystems that for reasons of military urgency, criticality, or resource requirements, is determined by the Department of Defense as being vital to the national interest.

make safe — One or more actions necessary to prevent or interrupt complete function of the system (traditionally synonymous with “dearm,” “disarm,” and “disable”). Among the necessary actions are: (1) install (safety devices such as pins or locks); (2) disconnect (hoses, linkages, batteries); (3) bleed (accumulators, reservoirs); (4) remove (explosive devices such as initiators, fuzes, detonators); and (5) intervene (as in welding, lockwiring).

management and control system (mobility)

— Those elements of organizations and/or activities that are part of, or are closely related to, the mobility system, and which authorize requirements to be moved, to obtain and allocate lift resources, or to direct the operation of linklift vehicles.

maneuver — 1. A movement to place ships, aircraft, or land forces in a position of advantage over the enemy. 2. A tactical exercise carried out at sea, in the air, on the ground, or on a map in imitation of war. 3. The operation of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle, to cause it to perform desired movements. 4. Employment of forces in

the battlespace through movement in combination with fires to achieve a position of advantage in respect to the enemy in order to accomplish the mission. See also mission; operation. (JP 3-0)

maneuverable reentry vehicle — A reentry vehicle capable of performing preplanned flight maneuvers during the reentry phase. See also multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle; multiple reentry vehicle; reentry vehicle.

manifest — A document specifying in detail the passengers or items carried for a specific destination.

manipulative electromagnetic deception — See electromagnetic deception.

man portable — Capable of being carried by one man. Specifically, the term may be used to qualify: 1. Items designed to be carried as an integral part of individual, crew-served, or team equipment of the dismounted soldier in conjunction with assigned duties. Upper weight limit: approximately 14 kilograms (31 pounds.) 2. In land warfare, equipment which can be carried by one man over long distance without serious degradation of the performance of normal duties.

manpower — See manpower requirements; manpower resources.

manpower management — (*) The means of manpower control to ensure the most efficient and economical use of available manpower.

manpower management survey — (*)

Systematic evaluation of a functional area, utilizing expert knowledge, manpower scaling guides, experience, and other practical considerations in determining the validity and managerial efficiency of the

function’s present or proposed manpower establishment.

manpower requirements — Human resources needed to accomplish specified work loads of organizations.

manpower resources — Human resources available to the Services that can be applied against manpower requirements.

man space — The space and weight factor used to determine the combat capacity of vehicles, craft, and transport aircraft, based on the requirements of one person with individual equipment. The person is assumed to weigh between 222-250 pounds and to occupy 13.5 cubic feet of space. See also boat space.

man transportable — Items that are usually transported on wheeled, tracked, or air vehicles, but have integral provisions to allow periodic handling by one or more individuals for limited distances (100-500 meters). Upper weight limit: approximately 65 pounds per individual.

map — (*) A graphic representation, usually on a plane surface and at an established scale, of natural or artificial features on the surface of a part or the whole of the Earth or other planetary body. The features are positioned relative to a coordinate reference system. See also administrative map; chart index; chart series; chart sheet; controlled map; general map; large-scale map; line-route map; map chart; map index; map series; map sheet; mediumscale map; operation map; planimetric map; situation map; small-scale map; strategic map; tactical map; topographic map; traffic circulation map.

map chart — A representation of a land-sea area, using the characteristics of a map to represent the land area and the

characteristics of a chart to represent the sea area, with such special characteristics as to make the map-chart most useful in military operations, particularly amphibious operations. See also map.

map convergence — (*) The angle at which one meridian is inclined to another on a map or chart. See also convergence.

map exercise — An exercise in which a series of military situations is stated and solved on a map.

map index — (*) Graphic key primarily designed to give the relationship between sheets of a series, their coverage, availability, and further information on the series. See also map.

mapping camera — See air cartographic camera.

map reference — (*) Ameans of identifying a point on the surface of the Earth by relating it to information appearing on a map, generally the graticule or grid.

map reference code — (*) A code used primarily for encoding grid coordinates and other information pertaining to maps. This code may be used for other purposes where the encryption of numerals is required.

map series — (*) A group of maps or charts usually having the same scale and cartographic specifications, and with each sheet appropriately identified by producing agency as belonging to the same series.

map sheet — (*) An individual map or chart either complete in itself or part of a series. See also map.

margin — (*) In cartography, the area of a map or chart lying outside the border.

marginal data — (*) All explanatory information given in the margin of a map or chart which clarifies, defines, illustrates, and/or supplements the graphic portion of the sheet.

marginal information — See marginal data.

marginal weather — Weather that is sufficiently adverse to a military operation so as to require the imposition of procedural limitations. See also adverse weather.

Marine air command and control system

— A system that provides the aviation combat element commander with the means to command, coordinate, and control all air operations within an assigned sector and to coordinate air operations with other Services. It is composed of command and control agencies with communicationselectronics equipment that incorporates a capability from manual through semiautomatic control. Also called

MACCS. See also direct air support center; tactical air operations center.

(JP 3-09.3)

Marine air-ground task force — The Marine Corps principal organization for all missions across the range of military operations, composed of forces taskorganized under a single commander capable of responding rapidly to a contingency anywhere in the world. The types of forces in the Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) are functionally grouped into four core elements: a command element, an aviation combat element, a ground combat element, and a combat service support element. The four core elements are categories of forces, not formal commands. The basic structure of the MAGTF never varies, though the number, size, and type of Marine Corps units