FINAL PROTECTIVE FIRE (FPF)- An immediately available prearranged barrier of fire designed to impede enemy movement across defensive lines or areas.

FIRE PLAN- A tactical plan for using the weapons of a unit or formation so that their fire will be coordinated.

FIREPOWER- The amount of fire which may be delivered by a position, a unit, or a weapon system.

FORCE SERVICE SUPPORT GROUP (FSSG)- The FSSG is a permanently structured organization whose mission is to provide CSS for the Marine amphibious force (MAF). It is designed to support one division and one air wing. If supporting a force of greater size, additional assets are necessary to augment its capabilities.

GROUND COMBAT ELEMENT (GCE)- One of the four elements of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). It is task-organized to conduct ground operations. The GCE is constructed around an infantry unit and varies in size from a reinforced infantry battalion to one or more reinforced Marine division( s). The GCE also includes appropriate combat support and combat service support units. Normally, there is only one Ground Combat Element in a MAGTF. Although permanently structured with eight functional battalions, task organizations from those battalions would normally support MAF operations over a wide geographic area.

HASTY DECON OPERATION- A decon operation that consists of two techniques, the MOPP gear exchange and the vehicle wash down.

HELICOPTER LANDING SITE- A designated subdivision of a helicopter landing zone in which a single flight or wave of assault helicopters land to embark or disembark troops and/ or cargo.

HELICOPTER LANDING ZONE (HLZ)- A specified ground area for landing assault helicopters to embark or disembark troops and/ or cargo. A landing zone may contain one or more landing sites.

HOT LINE- A real or imaginary line that separates contaminated from uncontaminated areas.

INTELLIGENCE-( 1) The product resulting from the collection, processing, integration, analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of available information concerning foreign countries or areas and (2) the information and knowledge about an adversary obtained through observation, investigation, analysis, or understanding.

KEY TERRAIN- Any locality, or area the seizure or retention of which affords a marked advantage to either combatant.

KILLING ZONE- An area in which a commander plans to force the enemy to concentrate so as to destroy him with conventional weapons or the tactical employment of nuclear weapons.

LANDING ZONE (LZ)- Any specified zone used for the landing of aircraft.

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.

MARINE AIR-GROUND TASK FORCE (MAGTF)- A Marine Air-Ground Task Force is a task organization of Marine forces (division, aircraft wing, and service support groups) under a single command and structured to accomplish a specific mission. The Marine Air-Ground Task Force components will normally include command, ground combat, aviation combat, and combat service support elements (including Navy Support Elements).

MARINE AIRCRAFT GROUP (MAG)- The MAG is usually administratively and tactically structured by aircraft category as being either a helicopter group or a fixed-wing group. Composite MAGs may also be formed for specific missions or unique organizational/ geographic considerations. Each MAG has a headquarters and maintenance squadron (H& MS). With a source of supply, the MAG is the smallest aviation unit capable of self-sustaining independent operations.

MARINE AIRCRAFT WING (MAW)- The MAW is the highest level aviation command in the Fleet Marine Force (FMF). Each wing is capable of supporting one Marine division. The MAW is task-organized to provide a flexible and balanced air combat organization capable of providing the full range of combat air operations in a variety of areas without the requirement of prepositioned support, control, and logistics facilities. Only the wing has the inherent capability of performing all six aviation functions.

MARINE EXPEDITIONARY BRIGADE (MEB)- A task organization which is normally built around a regimental landing team, a previsional Marine aircraft group, and a logistics support group. It is capable of conducting

amphibious assault operations of a limited scope. During potential crisis situations, a Marine Expeditionary Brigade may be forward deployed afloat for an extended period in order to provide an immediate combat response.

MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (MEF)- The Marine Expeditionary Force, the largest of the Marine air/ ground task forces, is normally built around a division/ wing team, but can include several divisions and aircraft wings, together with an appropriate combat service support organization. The Marine expeditionary force is capable of conducting a wide range of amphibious assault operations and sustained operations ashore. It can be tailored for a wide variety of combat missions in any geographic environment.

MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT (MEU)- A task organization which is normally built around a battalion landing team, reinforced helicopter squadron, and logistic support unit. It fulfills routine forward afloat deployment requirements, provides an immediate reaction capability for crisis situations, and is capable of relatively limited combat operations.

MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT (SPECIAL OPERATIONS CAPABLE)- A forward-deployed, embarked U. S. Marine Corps unit with enhanced capability to conduct special operations. The Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable) is oriented toward amphibious raids, at night, under limited visibility, while employing emission control procedures. The Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable) is not a Secretary of Defense-designated special operations force but, when directed by the National Command Authorities and/ or the theater commander, may conduct hostage recovery or other special operations under extreme circumstances when designated special operations forces are not available. Also called MEU (SOC).

MARINE WING SUPPORT GROUP (MWSG)- An administrative command that provides all essential aviation ground support (AGS) requirements for elements of the MAW. The MWSG is capable of supporting two fixed-wing and two rotary-wing airfields per MAW.

MAU SERVICE SUPPORT GROUP (MSSG)- A task-organized combat service support element of the Marine amphibious unit (MAU). Like the BSSG, it draws personnel and equipment from the permanent battalions of the force service support group. As required, it may be augmented by combat service support elements from the division or aircraft wing.

MISSION ORIENTED PROTECTIVE POSTURE- A flexible system for protection against NBC contamination. This posture requires personnel to wear only that protective clothing and equipment (MOPP gear) appropriate to the threat, work rate imposed by the mission, temperature, and humidity. There are five levels of MOPP (zero through 4). MOPP 4 offers the most protection but also degrades mission performance the most.

MOPP GEAR- Combat clothing and equipment used to operate in an NBC environment.

MOPP GEAR EXCHANGE- Process of decontaminating individual fighting equipment, including the protective mask and hood, removing the contaminated MOPP gear, and putting on new MOPP gear.