Dictionary of Military Terms

IFF / a ef ef/ noun technology carried in an aircraft which utilizes coded radio signals to identify other friendly aircraft. Full form identification friend or foe

IFV abbreviation infantry fighting vehicle

II abbreviation 1. image intensification 2. image intensifier

IL-76 / a el sevənt s ks/ noun a So- viet-designed transport aircraft (NOTE: known to NATO as Candid)

illegal immigrant / li ((ə)lm (rənt/ noun an immigrant who en-

ters a country without official permission to do so Our main role is to catch and arrest illegal immigrants.

Illum / lu m/ abbreviation illumination round

illuminate / lu m ne t/ verb to light up (with artificial light)

illumination / lu m ne ʃ(ə)n/ noun artificial light

illumination round / lu mne ʃ(ə)n raυnd/ noun an artillery or

mortar projectile designed to produce light. Abbr illum

COMMENT: Illumination rounds are usually painted white, with black lettering and markings.

image / m d%/ noun the appearance of an object as viewed through an optical instrument or other equipment (such as a thermal imager, radar, etc.)

image intensification / m d% ntens f ke ʃ(ə)n/ noun passive night-

viewing technology which utilizes natural light (such as ambient light, moonlight, starlight). Abbr II

image intensifier / m d% ntens fa ə/ noun a night-viewing device which uses image intensification. Abbr

II

immediate action drill / mi diətkʃən dr l/ noun full form of IA drill

immersion foot / m$ ʃ(ə)n fυt/ noun a severe fungal infection of the feet, caused by wearing wet boots over a long period. Also known as trench foot

immigrant / m (rənt/ noun a person who enters a foreign country in order to live there

immobilize / məυb la z/, immobilise verb 1. to do something to a vehicle, so that it cannot be driven 2. to do something to a machine or weapon, so that it does not work. Compare mobilize

impact / mp kt/ noun an act of one object hitting another object

impact area / mp kt eəriə/ noun the part of a live firing range where projectiles strike or come to rest impassable / m pɑ səb(ə)l/ adjective impossible to travel over, through or across The mountain roads are impassable in winter.

implementation / mpl mənte ʃ(ə)n/ noun putting something into effect

implementation plans / mpl mənte ʃ(ə)n pl nz/ plural noun plans

which allow NATO commanders to put into action operations which have been agreed between NATO and local forces impregnable / m pre(nəb(ə)l/ adjective (of fortifications) impossible to take by force The guerillas are based in impregnable hilltop camps.

improved conventional munition

/ m pru vd kən venʃənəl mjun ʃ(ə)n/ noun full form of ICM improvise / mprəva z/ verb to do or make something without any proper planning We improvised a shelter out of branches.

improvised anti-armour grenade

/ mprəva zd nti ɑ mə (r ne d/ noun full form of improvised anti-ar- mour grenade

improvised explosive device

/ mprəva zd k spləυs v d va s/ noun a home-made bomb, booby-trap or mine. Abbr IED

IMR / a em ɑ / noun a Soviet-de- signed armoured engineer vehicle

inaccessible / nək ses b(ə)l/ adjective impossible to get to The village was inaccessible after the bridge was destroyed.

inactive / n kt v/ adjective not operating or working

incapacitating agent / nkəp s te t ŋ e d%ənt/ noun a chemical

designed to cause mental confusion incendiary / n sendiəri/ adjective designed to set things on fire incendiary bomb incendiary grenade noun a person who sets buildings, vehicles or other objects on fire as an act of sabotage Several incendiaries have been arrested.

incendiary bomb / n sendiəri bɒm/ noun a bomb designed to set buildings alight

incendiary bullet, incendiary round noun a bullet which is designed to ignite after firing and burn in flight, so that the fall of shot can be observed. Also called tracer bullet

inch / ntʃ/ noun a unit of linear measure corresponding to 2.54 centimetres

(NOTE: Inch is sometimes represented as in (8in), or as ‘(8’))

incident / ns d(ə)nt/ noun a significant event (such as an accident, explosion, terrorist attack, etc.) Three people were injured in the incident. The observers reported no further incidents during the night.

incident control point / ns d(ə)nt kən trəυl pɔ nt/ noun full form of in-

cident control point

incite / n sa t/ verb to encourage other people to do something (normally acts of disorder) He was inciting the crowd to attack the police.

incline / n kla n/ noun a slope inclusive / n klu s v/ adjective including Our area is inclusive of the main road. Compare exclusive

incoming / nk m ŋ/ noun artillery fire which is landing or about to land on your position

incompetent / n kɒmp t(ə)nt/ adjective unable to perform your role satisfactorily (due to lack of knowledge or motivation)

incursion / n k$ ʃ(ə)n/ noun an act of entering the territory of another state, without the authorization or permission

of that state (usually for offensive purposes)

indecent assault / n di sənt ə sɔ lt/ noun a sexual assault on a person which does not go as far as actual rape An allegation of indecent assault has been made against you. (NOTE: The verb form is to indecently assault – Many of the female prisoners had been indecently assaulted.)

indecisive / nd sa s v/ adjective 1. unable to make decisions easily He is very indecisive. 2. having no clear result

The battle was indecisive.

indent noun / ndent/ an official request for ammunition, equipment, ra-

tions, etc. All indents are to be submitted by 2200hrs. verb / n dent/ to sub-

mit an official request for ammunition, equipment, rations, etc. He indented for winter clothing.

India / ndiə/ noun the ninth letter of the phonetic alphabet (Ii)

indicate / nd ke t/ verb 1. to draw someone’s attention to something He indicated a tree on the skyline. 2. (of vehicles) to signal the intention to turn left or right The lorry indicated left.

indication / nd ke ʃ(ə)n/ noun an act of indicating something

indicator / nd ke tə/ noun an instrument which shows something indicator lights / nd ke tə la ts/ plural noun a flashing light on a motor vehicle, which indicates that the driver is turning to the left or right

indirect fire / nda rekt fa ə/ noun fire of weapons which are not pointed directly at the target (i.e. artillery or mortar fire)

indirect weapon / nda rektwepən/ noun a weapon which is not

pointed directly at its target (e.g. an artillery piece or mortar) indiscriminate / nd skr m nət/ adjective not aimed at a particular target, or not done according to a plan indoctrinate / n dɒktr ne t/ verb to teach political, religious or nationalist ideas in such a way that a person accepts them without question

inf abbreviation infantry

infantier / nfən t ə/ noun an exponent of infantry tactics Of course, the infantiers among us may disagree with me on this point.

infantry / nfəntri/ noun soldiers who fight on foot The infantry will advance at daybreak. The infantry attack was beaten back.

COMMENT: Although most modern infantry are now equipped with some form of vehicle to move them around the battlefield, their basic role remains to get out of the vehicles and fight on foot with the rifle and bayonet. ‘Infantry is the queen of battles’. [Napier]

infantry fighting vehicle / nfəntrifa t ŋ vi k(ə)l/ noun an armoured

personnel carrier, fitted with a gun or cannon, which is designed to transport a section of infantry around the battlefield and provide them with fire support once they are fighting on foot. Abbr IFV infantryman / nfəntrimən/ noun an infantry soldier British infantrymen are famous for their discipline.

infect / n fekt/ verb to transmit a disease or illness The whole arm soon became infected.

infectious / n fekʃəs/ adjective (of diseases) capable of being transmitted to other people This strain of flu is highly infectious.

inferior / n f əriə/ adjective 1. of a lower rank than another person A corporal is inferior to a sergeant. 2. smaller or weaker than something else The enemy artillery had an inferior rate of fire to our guns. 3. of worse quality than something else Our boots are inferior to those of the Germans. noun a person who holds a lower rank than another person He always treats his inferiors with respect. Compare superior

infestation team / nfes te ʃənti m/ noun a small special forces grouping, which operates behind enemy lines, directing artillery fire and air strikes

infiltrate / nf ltre t/ verb to move into enemy territory in small groups by different routes, in order to avoid detec-

tion, and then to join up in order to attack an objective in force. Compare exfiltrate

infiltration / nf l tre ʃ(ə)n/ noun an act of infiltrating. Compare exfiltration

inflammable / n fl məb(ə)l/ adjective easy to set on fire Many sailors were badly burnt because their clothing was made of inflammable material.

inflict / n fl kt/ verb to do something unpleasant to another person The bombing inflicted heavy casualties on the civilian population. We inflicted the worst defeat of the war on the enemy. (NOTE: This verb is usually followed by on or upon.)

in force / n fɔ s/ phrase 1. in large numbers Enemy armour is crossing the border in force near Landshut. 2. valid The regulations have been in force since Tuesday.

inform / n fɔ m/ verb 1. to tell someone something He informed me of the change in the timings. 2. to inform on someone to tell the authorities about another person’s illegal activities He informed on his neighbour.

information / nfə me ʃ(ə)n/ noun facts (whether accurate or not) which are passed on from one person to another

information blackout

/ nfəme ʃ(ə)n bl kaυt/ noun the act of withholding all information from the media and general public (usually for reasons of security)

information warfare / nfəme ʃ(ə)nwɔ feə/ noun the act of hacking into an enemy’s computer network in order to disrupt it (e.g. by sowing a virus) or to obtain information or to insert false information

informer / n fɔ mə/ noun someone who tells the authorities about another person’s illegal activities

infrared / nfrə red/ adjective relating to a form of red light which is used in some night-viewing devices because it is invisible to the naked eye. Abbr IR

COMMENT: Night-viewing devices which utilize infrared light are de-

scribed as active, while those which do not are described as passive.

infrastructure / nfrə str ktʃə/ noun basic amenities and facilities upon which a modern society relies in order to function properly (such as electricity, roads and railways, telecommunications, water, etc.)

inhabitant / n h b t(ə)nt/ noun a person who lives in a place The original inhabitants were removed from their villages.

initial nuclear radiation / n ʃ(ə)lnju kliə re di e ʃ(ə)n/ noun the harm-

ful rays of energy given off by a nuclear explosion

initial terminal guidance / n ʃ(ə)lt$ m n(ə)l (a d(ə)ns/ noun US full

form of ITG

initiate / n ʃie t/ verb 1. to start or introduce something The commanding officer was forced to initiate legal proceedings. 2. to activate an explosive or pyrotechnic device The Claymores were initiated electronically.

initiative / n ʃət v/ noun 1. the ability to assess a situation and take action, without asking for guidance He lacks initiative. 2. the ability to make the enemy conform to your own movements

We must not allow the enemy to regain the initiative. to lose the initiative to stop being able to force the enemy to react to your actions

COMMENT: The initiative is usually held by whichever side is attacking. As soon as the attackers are stopped and forced to defend themselves, they are considered to have lost the initiative.

inject / n d%ekt/ verb to put a liquid drug or vaccine into a person’s body, using a syringe or syrette I injected him with morphine ten minutes ago.

injection / n d%ekʃən/ noun an act of injecting He was given an injection of morphine.

COMMENT: There are three types of injection: subcutaneous (SC) = under the skin; intramuscular (IM) = into a muscle; intravenous (IV) = into a vein.

injure / nd%ə/ verb to do physical harm to someone

injury / nd%əri/ noun physical harm to a person

inland / nlənd/ adverb away from the sea Strong enemy forces are moving inland.

inlet / nlet/ noun a place where a lake or the sea cuts into the land

INMARSAT / nmɑ s t/ noun an insecure satellite telephone system. Full form international maritime satellite inoculate / nɒkjυle t/ verb to treat someone with a vaccine or serum, in order to prevent them contracting a disease

inoculation / nɒkjυ le ʃ(ə)n/ noun an act of inoculating someone inoperable / n ɒpər(ə)b(ə)l/ adjective impossible to carry out The plan is now inoperable.

inoperative / n ɒpərət v/ adjective not working properly All our communications equipment was made inoperative by the nuclear explosion.

insect repellent / nsekt r pelənt/ noun a liquid designed to stop insects biting a person’s skin

insecure / ns kjυə/ adjective 1. (of objects) not properly attached or closed

Your magazine is insecure. 2. (of locations) undefended The bridge is insecure. 3. (of communications) not coded or scrambled The enemy is equipped with insecure radios.

insert / n s$ t/ verb 1. to put one thing into another He inserted a new battery into his torch. 2. to move into an area of operations We will insert by helicopter. Compare extract

insertion / n s$ ʃ(ə)n/ noun an act of inserting. Compare extraction

in-service / n s$ v s/ adjective currently being operated

in-service support / n s$ v s səpɔ t/ noun support which is organised when in service

inshore / n ʃɔ / adjective designed for use close to the shore an inshore fishing boat adverb 1. at sea but close to the shore The boat was anchored in-

shore. 2. towards the shore The landing craft moved inshore.

insignia / n s (niə/ noun a decorative symbol (used to denote the identity of a unit, specialist qualification, rank, etc.)

inspect / n spekt/ verb 1. (of people) to examine a person in order to ensure that he is correctly dressed or that he has all his equipment The general inspected his troops. 2. to examine something in order to ensure that it is in working order He inspected his platoon’s weapons. 3. (in the event of an accident or malfunction) to examine something in order to look for defects or signs of damage The vehicle was inspected for defects. 4. to examine a weapon in order to ensure that it is clean or unloaded Upon inspecting the man’s rifle he found a live round in the chamber.

inspection / n spekʃən/ noun an act of inspecting a person or thing The soldiers stood to attention ready for inspection.

installation / nstə le ʃ(ə)n/ noun a building, complex or other permanent structure, which contains some form of technical equipment (such as communications equipment, radar, weapons system, etc.) Our target was the radar installations along the north coast.

instruct / n str kt/ verb 1. to teach

He instructs soldiers in the use of the bayonet. 2. to tell someone to do something I instructed him to clean his rifle.

instruction / n str kʃən/ noun 1. an act of teaching something We have two periods of map-reading instruction today. 2. an act of telling someone to do something He did not carry out my instructions. 3. written directions telling someone how to do something The instructions are printed on the side of the container.

instructor / n str ktə/ noun a teacher

Cpl Smith is our bayonet instructor.

insubordinate / nsə bɔ d nət/ adjective 1. unwilling to carry out orders 2. unwilling to show respect to your su-

periors He was quite insubordinate and had to be restrained. insubordination / nsə bɔ dne ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. failure or refusal to carry out an order 2. showing lack of respect for a superior

insurgency / n s$ d%ənsi/ noun armed resistance to the established government or foreign domination insurgent / n s$ d%ənt/ noun a person who uses force to resist the established government or foreign domination. rebel, revolutionary insurrection / nsə rekʃən/ noun armed resistance to the established government or foreign domination. insurgency, rebellion, revolt, revolution

int / nt/ abbreviation intelligence

intake / nte k/ noun a place where air, fuel or water is drawn into a machine

integrate / nt (re t/ verb to link up several things to form a whole

integrated logistic support

/ nt (re t d lə d% st k sə pɔ t/ noun support which is integrated into all parts of the project as it is being developed

intel / ntel/ abbreviation US intelligence

intelligence / n tel d%əns/ noun 1. any information which may be useful (especially information about the enemy) We have received some fresh intelligence on the enemy artillery. 2. people and equipment involved in the gathering, analysis and dissemination of intelligence We are feeding false information to the enemy’s intelligence.

COMMENT: The department responsible for intelligence in a headquarters is known as G2.

intelligence officer / n tel d%ənsɒf sə/ noun an officer responsible for intelligence. Abbr IO

intelligence summary / ntel d%əns s məri/ noun a simple re-

port on the enemy’s locations, strength, organization, intentions, etc., during a specific period of time. Abbr INTSUM intend / n tend/ verb to decide to do something

intent / n tent/ noun US a document issued to subordinate commanders, explaining a commander’s idea of how a future operation is likely to proceed

intention / n tenʃən/ noun what a person has decided to do We do not know the enemy’s intentions.

intercede / ntə si d/ verb to enter a dispute in order to support another person or group The priest tried to intercede on behalf of the young men.

intercept / ntə sept/ verb 1. to meet up with or catch persons or vehicles as they move from one place to another

We intend to intercept them at the river.Two squadrons of fighters were sent to intercept the bombers. 2. to locate and listen to another person’s radio transmissions The message was intercepted. noun an enemy message which has been intercepted Here is a transcript of our last intercept. interception / ntə sepʃən/ noun 1. the act of intercepting a person or vehicle 2. the act of locating and listening to another person’s radio transmission; the people who locate and listen to another person’s radio transmissions These countermeasures are designed to confuse the enemy interception.

interceptor / ntə septə/ noun a fighter aircraft which is capable of flying great distances in order to intercept and engage enemy aircraft

interchangeability / ntə tʃe n%əb ləti/ noun being able to be ex-

changed one for another

interchangeable / ntətʃe nd%əb(ə)l/ adjective possible to

exchange one for another The two parts are interchangeable.

intercom / ntəkɒm/ noun an internal telecommunication system within an aircraft, ship or vehicle allowing crew members to speak to each other

COMMENT: The intercom is normally incorporated into the radio system.

intercontinental ballistic missile

/ ntəkɒnt nent(ə)l bə l st k m sa l/ noun a guided missile which flies from one continent to another and ends its

flight in a ballistic descent. Abbr ICBM.

ballistic missile

interdict / ntəd kt/ verb to deny the enemy the use of something The airstrikes were intended to interdict the enemy’s supply lines.

interdiction / ntə d kʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of denying the enemy the use of something (typically, air attacks on enemy reinforcements and supply columns as they move towards the battle area)

Our principal role is the interdiction of the enemy railway network.

interfere / ntə f ə/ verb 1. to interfere in to involve oneself in another person’s activity without being asked

He is always interfering in the running of my platoon. 2. to interfere with to obstruct or hinder These air strikes are designed to interfere with the enemy’s supply system.

interference / ntə f ərəns/ noun 1. an act of interfering 2. the obstruction of a radio signal by other radio waves interior / n t əriə/ noun the part of a country which is not close to its coastline or borders

interior lines / n t əriə la nz/ plural noun routes available in territory which is protected by the forward and flank positions of an army or other large tactical grouping The general failed to take advantage of his interior lines.

COMMENT: Good interior lines enable a commander to move troops directly from one part of his line to another over comparatively short distances, while enemy forces may have to travel a considerable distance around his perimeter in order to redeploy against him. Of course, on the modern battlefield, he would need air and electronic superiority to enjoy this advantage.

interlocking arcs of fire

/ ntəlɒk ŋ ɑ ks əv fa ə/ noun a situation in which a weapon’s arc of fire overlaps with that of its neighbour

intermediate staging base

/ ntəmi diət ste d% ŋ be s/ noun full form of ISB

intern / n t$ n/ verb to confine a person in custody (usually for reasons of national security rather than because

they have committed an offence) All enemy aliens will be interned for the duration of the war.

internal security / n t$ nəl s k$ r t / noun a state’s use of its armed forces (usually in support of its civil police) to maintain or restore law and order within its own territory Several battalions are engaged in internal security duties.

international maritime satellite

/ ntən ʃ(ə)nəl m r ta m s təla t/ noun full form of INMARSAT internment / n t$ nmənt/ noun an act of interning people The government has ordered the internment of all enemy aliens.

COMMENT: Internment applies to civilians; military personnel would be treated as prisoners of war.

internment camp / n t$ nmənt k mp/ noun a secure location where people are interned

interoperability / ntə ɒpərə b l ti/ noun being able to operate in the place of something else

interoperable / ntə ɒpərəb(ə)l/ adjective able to operate in place of something else

interpreter / n t$ pr tə/ noun a person who acts as a translator in a conversation between two people who do not understand each other’s language interrogate / n terə(e t/ verb to ask a series of questions in a systematic way, in order to obtain information

COMMENT: This word normally implies a confrontational situation (as when an intelligence officer is interrogating a prisoner). You interrogate an enemy, but you would debrief someone from your own side.

interrogation / n terə (e ʃ(ə)n/ noun an act of interrogating Under interrogation he revealed the location of the camp.

intersection / ntə sekʃən/ noun US a junction Turn left at the next intersection.

interval / ntəv(ə)l/ noun a space between two persons or groups or vehicles

I want intervals of twenty-five metres

between vehicles. Vehicles will set off at five minute intervals.

intervasion / ntə ve %ən/ noun invading a state’s sovereign territory with the reluctant approval of that state’s government in order to deal with hostile elements within the population. Full form intervention & invasion

intervehicular information system / ntəv h kjυlə nfə me ʃ(ə)ns stəm/ noun full form of IVIS

intervene / ntə vi n/ verb to enter a dispute between two other parties We were forced to intervene when they attacked the refugees.

intervention / ntə venʃən/ noun an act of intervening There is a strong possibility of foreign intervention.

intimate support tank / nt mət səpɔ t t ŋk/ noun a tank which is at-

tached to an infantry platoon for a specific phase of an attack and which fights alongside that platoon throughout the action

intimidate / n t m de t/ verb to use threats in order to make someone do or not do something The guerrillas are trying to intimidate the local people.

intimidation / n t m de ʃ(ə)n/ noun the use of threats in order to make someone do or not do something The guerillas use intimidation to gain the support of the local people. intraregional / ntrə ri d%ənəl/ adjective inside a region

intraregional mobility

/ ntrəri d%ənəl məυ b l ti/ noun the ability of forces to move rapidly inside a given region

intruder / n tru də/ noun 1. a person who enters an area or building without the authority or right to do so 2. an unidentified person, vehicle or aircraft which enters your area of responsibility

Intruder / n tru də/ noun an Ameri- can-designed A-6 ground-attack aircraft

intruder alarm / n tru də ə lɑ m/ noun a device designed to detect movement

INTSUM / nts m/, intsum abbreviation intelligence summary

invade / n ve d/ verb to enter another state’s territory with military forces, in order to conquer it Troops are massed on the border ready to invade. The country was invaded by rebel armies from the south.

invasion / n ve %(ə)n/ noun an act of invading the invasion of Britain by the Normans in 1066 They planned the invasion of the island.

invest / n vest/ verb to surround an area or town occupied by an enemy force, in order to prevent its being reinforced and resupplied and also to prevent any withdrawal, usually with the ultimate intention of capturing the place or of compelling the enemy force inside it to surrender Our main objective is to invest Port Stanley. besiege investment / n vestmənt/ noun an act of investing a town or fortress. siege

IO abbreviation intelligence officer

IR abbreviation infrared

Irish Defence Force / a r ʃ d fens fɔ s/ noun the army of the Republic of Ireland (Eire) (NOTE: The Irish Defence Force should not be confused with the Irish Republican Army (IRA), which is a terrorist organization seeking to unite the British-controlled province of Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland (Eire).)

iron bomb / a ən bɒm/ noun a bomb which is simply dropped onto a target by an aircraft. ballistic bomb, general purpose bomb

iron ration / a ən r ʃ(ə)n/ noun a small pack of food carried by a soldier in case of emergency

iron sight / a ən sa t/ noun a simple sight, forming part of the basic design of the weapon and consisting of a rearsight and a fore-sight, which are lined up with each other and the point of aim irregular / re(jυlə/ adjective not part of the regular army The refugees were attacked by irregular troops. noun a member of a unit which is not part of the regular army (i.e. guerrillas, merce-

naries, partisans, etc.) He commands a small unit of irregulars.

irreparable / rep(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adjective impossible to repair The bombing has caused irreparable damage to the airfield.

irreplaceable / r ple səb(ə)l/ adjective which cannot be replaced He is irreplaceable because he speaks five different languages. irresponsibility / r spɒnsə b l ti/ noun irresponsible behaviour The operation has been compromised by your irresponsibility.

irresponsible / r spɒns b(ə)l/ adjective acting without considering the possible consequences of that action

Your irresponsible behaviour could have caused an accident.

irretrievable / r tri vəb(ə)l/ adjective impossible to retrieve That data is irretrievable.

irrevocable / revəkəb(ə)l/ adjective impossible to alter or cancel The order is irrevocable.

irritant / r t(ə)nt/ noun something which causes irritation The shells are releasing some sort of eye irritant.

irritate / r te t/ verb 1. to anger or annoy He was irritated by the soldier’s behaviour. 2. to cause discomfort or pain This chemical agent irritates the eyes and respiratory system.

irritation / r te ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. anger or annoyance He looked at me with irritation. 2. discomfort or pain This substance causes irritation to the skin.

ISB / a es bi / noun an administration area located en route to a war zone or in the rear area, where a deploying force can offload and assemble its equipment before moving forward to the front line. Full form intermediate staging base

island / a lənd/ noun a piece of land surrounded by water

ISO container / a səυ kən te nə/ noun a huge metal container, which is designed to be fitted to a lorry or loaded onto a ship, in order to transport goods overseas We lived in ISO containers until the camp had been built.

isolate / a səle t/ verb 1. to prevent movement to or from a location The village has been isolated by snow. 2. to surround a unit so that it can neither retreat, nor be reinforced or supported

The enemy battalion was isolated and then destroyed. cut off

isolated / a səle t d/ adjective far from anyone or anything else There are a few isolated villages in the hills. The platoon was left isolated when the rest of the company withdrew.

issue / ʃu / noun an act of supplying servicemen with equipment, supplies, etc. There will be an issue of rations at 1600hrs. on issue provided by the logistical system These boots are no longer on issue. verb to supply equipment, supplies, etc. Ammunition will be issued at 1600hrs.

isthmus / sməs/ noun a narrow strip of land connecting two larger pieces of land

item / a təm/ noun an object or thing (especially one of several different things)

ITG / a ti d%i / noun US a task carried out by pathfinders (i.e. advance reconnaissance, security and marking of a DZ or LZ or beach-landing site). Full form initial terminal guidance

IVIS / a v s/ noun an American-de- signed computer system fitted to armoured fighting vehicles (e.g. Abrams M-1 tank), which shows the current locations of all other vehicles in the subunit and their ammunition and fuel states and which also has an e-mail facility for the transmission of orders. Full form intervehicular information system

J1 / d%e w n/ noun the department of a joint headquarters (JHQ) responsible for personnel

J2 / d%e tu / noun the department of a joint headquarters (JHQ) responsible for intelligence

J3 / d%e θri / noun the department of a joint headquarters (JHQ) responsible for operations and training

J4 / d%e fɔ / noun the department of a joint headquarters (JHQ) responsible for materiel

J5 / d%e fa v/ noun the department of a joint headquarters (JHQ) responsible for civil/military relations

JAAT /d% t/ abbreviation joint air attack team

jack /d% k/ noun a machine which is used to raise a vehicle or other heavy object a short distance off the ground

JAG /d% (/ noun US a legal department for the US armed forces. Full form judge adjutant general

Jaguar / d% (jυə/ noun a Brit- ish/French-designed attack aircraft

jam /d% m/ verb 1. to block the enemy’s radio transmissions by causing interference We are being jammed. 2.

(of automatic weapons) to stop firing because of a mechanical failure The machine-gun jammed.

jamming / d% m ŋ/ noun an act of blocking the enemy’s radio transmissions by causing interference

jankers / d% nkəz/ noun extra fatigue duty given as a punishment (especially unpleasant tasks: e.g. cleaning out latrines) (slang)

Javelin / d% vl n/ noun 1. a Britishdesigned hand-held optically-tracked

surface-to-air missile (SAM) 2. an American-designed precision-guided anti-tank missile

JDAM / d%e d m/ noun an aircraft bomb which guides itself onto a target using the GPS system. Full form joint direct attack munition

jeep /d%i p/ noun any type of light general purpose all-terrain military vehicle

COMMENT: The original jeep was an American-designed vehicle used during the Second World War. The name is derived from GP (= general purpose).

jeopardize / d%epəda z/, jeopardise verb to place in a dangerous situation

Your actions have jeopardized the entire mission.

jerrycan / d%er k n/ noun a rectangular container for transporting fuel or water

jet /d%et/ noun 1. a stream of fire, gas or water sent out under high pressure 2. an aircraft powered by jet propulsion

Enemy jets bombed our positions.

jet engine / d%et end% n/ noun an engine which uses jet propulsion

jet fighter / d%et fa tə/ noun a fighter plane that is powered by a jet engine or engines

jet propulsion / d%et prə p lʃ(ə)n/ noun forward movement caused by the backward ejection of a jet of gas at high speed

jettison / d%et s(ə)n/ verb to throw objects out of an aircraft, ship or vehicle because they are no longer needed or dangerous or in order to lighten the load

The aircraft was forced to jettison its bombs.

JHQ abbreviation joint headquarters