APPENDIX I
GLOSSARY OF COMMON MILITARY TERMS
BARRIER--A coordinated series of obstacles
AIR DEFENSE--All defensive measures designed
designed or used to channel, direct, restrict, delay,
to destroy attacking enemy aircraft or missiles in
or stop the movement of an opposing force and to
the earth's envelope of atmosphere or to nullify or
impose additional losses in personnel, time, and
reduce the effectiveness of such attack.
equipment on the opposing force. Barriers can
AREA OF OPERATIONS (AO)--That portion of an
exist naturally, be man-made, or a combination of
area of war necessary for military operations and
both.
for the administration of such operations.
BAS--Battalion aid station.
AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (AOR)--A defined
area of land in which responsibility is specifically
BASE--An area or locality containing installations
assigned to the commander of the area for the
that provide logistic or other support.
development and maintenance of installations, the
BRIGADE SERVICE SUPPORT GROUP
control of movement, and the conduct of tactical
(BSSG)--The BSSG is the task-organized
o p e r a t i o n s involving troops under the
combat service support element of the Marine
commander's control, along with parallel
amphibious brigade (MAB). Personnel and
authority to exercise these functions.
equipment are assigned to the BSSG from the
ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER (APC)--A
permanent battalions of the force service support
lightly armored, highly mobile, full-tracked
group. As required, it may be augmented by
vehicle, amphibious and air-droppable, used
combat service support elements from the division
primarily for transporting personnel and their
or air wing.
individual equipment during tiwtical operations.
CASUALTY STATUS--A term used to classify a
Production modifications or application of special
casualty for reporting purposes. There are seven
kits permit use as a mortar carrier, a command
casualty statuses: (1) deceased, (2) duty status -
post, a flame thrower, an antiaircraft artillery
whereabouts unknown, (3) missing, (4) very
chassis, or a limited recovery vehicle.
seriously ill or injured, (5) seriously ill or injured,
AVENUE OF APPROACH--An air or ground route
(6) incapacitating illness or injury, and (7) not
of attacking forces of a given size leading to its
seriously injured.
objective or key terrain in its path.
COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT DETACHMENT
AVIATION COMBAT ELEMENT (ACE)--One of
(CSSD)--A task organization from any
the four elements of a Marine Air-Ground Task
combination of combat service support resources.
Force (MAGTF). The Aviation Combat Element
It mayor may not be part of a MAGTF, dependent
(ACE) is task-oriented to provide all or a portion
upon the situation. For example, it could be
of the functions of Marine Corps aviation in
formed to augment the organic capability of a
varying degrees based on the tactical situation and
reinforced infantry battalion conducting an
the MAGTF mission and size. These functions
independent operation or to support a squadron
are air reconnaissance, antiair warfare, assault
located at a remote airfield. The command and
support, offensive air support, electronic warfare,
control element will normally be provided by the
and control of aircraft and missiles. The ACE is
force service support group.
organized around an aviation headquarters and
COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT ELEMENT
varies in size from a composite aircraft squadron
(CSSE)--One of the four elements of a Marine
to one or more aircraft wing(s). It includes the
A i r - G r o u n d Task Force (MAGTF). It is
a v i a t i o n command (including air control
task-organized to provide the full range of combat
agencies), combat, combat support, and combat
service support necessary to accomplish the
service support units required by the situation.
MAGTF mission. The CSSE can provide supply,
Normally, there is only one ACE in a MAGTF.
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