When Raven One was in need of an editor, I found a superb one in Linda Wasserman of Pelican Press Pensacola. Linda, another Navy wife and mother, had very little background in naval aviation and had not edited a military action-adventure novel such as this one. Once we set out on this journey I did not know what to expect, but soon realized Linda’s exceptional literary knowledge and remarkable attention to detail was vital to make a good manuscript great. We discussed every sentence and did not move on until we found the right combination of words to convey the intended message with precision and flair. Readers of Raven One owe Linda a debt of gratitude, and, had she chosen another avenue for her life, would have made a fine fighter pilot.
Many thanks to Jeff Edwards and the superb authors at Stealth Books for their belief and support. Great to be aboard.
I never flew a perfect flight, and suspect most (honest) pilots haven’t either. While we all strived for perfection, flaws were identified and corrected. If readers find flaws with Raven One, I take full responsibility.
Okay, reader. Are you ready to strap in and head up north?
Glossary of Jargon and Acronyms
1MC — ships public address system
5MC — flight deck loudspeaker system
20mm — Twenty millimeter cannon round, the size of an FA-18 and CIWS bullet, also known as “twenty mike-mike”
AAA — Anti-Aircraft-Artillery; Pronounced “Triple-A”
Afterburner — FA-18 engine setting that provides extra power by igniting raw fuel creating a controlled overpressure. Also known as “burner,” “blower,” “max,” or “light the cans.”
Air Boss — Officer in Primary Flight Control (ship’s control tower) responsible for aircraft operations on deck out to five miles from ship.
AMRAAM — Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AIM-120)
Angels — altitude in thousands of feet. “Angels six” = 6,000 feet
AOM — All Officers Meeting
AOR — Area of Responsibility
APM — All Pilots Meeting
ARG — Amphibious Ready Group
ATFLIR — Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infra-Red. IR targeting sensor placed on fuselage mounted missile station.
Bandit — confirmed enemy airborne contact; also known as ‘“hostile.”
Bingo — emergency fuel state divert from ship to shore base
Bogey unknown airborne contact
Bolter — tailhook flies past or skips over arresting wires, requiring a go-around for another attempt.
BRA — Bearing, Range, Altitude
CAG — Carrier Air Wing Commander; formerly Commander, Air Group
