Close Air Support: Talk-On Vocabulary
For those following the Discord channel, you already know I am collaborating with Kas from Avalanche Industries, the developer behind AI_ATC (among others), to build a fully interactive Afghanistan mission template. Our goal is to move beyond the limitations of the default DCS environment by implementing local ATC, Tactical C2, and a virtual JTAC capable of providing a realistic Close Air Support experience.
One of the specific features currently in development is the "talk-on." The reality of operations in Afghanistan frequently involved JTACs who could not provide a precise ten-digit grid. In these scenarios, the controller must use alternative methods to describe the target and guide the aircrew’s sensors or vision to the objective. This process is known as target correlation.
Correlation is the critical bridge between receiving a CAS brief and being cleared to release ordnance. We have several tools at our disposal for this, ranging from Gridded Reference Graphics (GRG) and Digitally Aided CAS (DACAS) via systems like ROVER, to physical marks such as smoke, laser handovers, or IR pointers. However, the "visual talk-on" remains a foundational skill. It requires the JTAC to guide you from an unmistakable "anchor point" or "start point" through a series of intermediate features until you have the target in sight. This is often the most difficult part of the mission because the target may be camouflaged or concealed within complex terrain.
CAS is fundamentally an exercise in communication. It requires two people with different perspectives (one at 15,000 feet and one in the dirt) to achieve a common understanding of the battlefield. If you cannot speak the same language as the JTAC, you cannot support the troops on the ground. In an environment like Afghanistan, mastering this specific vocabulary will become a requirement for mission success.
I have attached a short guide containing common operational terms and definitions. Even for native speakers, many of these terms are specific to the military environment or the Afghan theater. If terms like "ICOM Chatter," "Mounted PAX," "Technical," or "Hesco" are not immediately familiar to you, I strongly recommend reviewing the list!
The guide is organized into several sections, including theater-specific vocabulary and acronyms. While you won't hear acronyms used frequently during the talk-on itself, they are frequent in the "Situation Update" and "Game Plan" phases of the CAS engagement. You will also see them constantly in JTAR/ASR during your mission planning.
Taking the time to study these terms now will pay dividends when you are in the cockpit. Being able to quickly translate a JTAC’s description into a "captured" or a "tally" is what will make the difference!
In the coming posts, I will go deeper into the practical application of these terms. We will specifically examine the Gridded Reference Graphic (GRG) as a primary tool for rapid target identification and urban navigation. Additionally, I am preparing a detailed breakdown of Afghanistan-specific vocabular to help you distinguish between various types of local compounds, vegetation, or infrastructure.