VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

force combat air patrol. A patrol of fighter aircraft maintained over the task force to destroy hostile
aircraft or missiles which threaten the force.
formation. An ordered arrangement of two or more ships, units, or aircraft proceeding together under
a commander.
formation axis. A reference line for stationing ships of a formation, or the axis of the main body or
convoy, in a formation consisting of a main body or convoy and escorts.
formation center. A position designated by the OTC as the center of a formation, normally the geometric
center; station zero in a circular formation; also, the point of origin of a formation axis.
formation guide. A ship in a formation on which the units in the formation take and keep station.
forward bomb (safe) lines. Bomb lines prescribed by a troop commander beyond which he considers
that bombing need not be coordinated with his own forces.
full command. The military authority and responsibility of a commander is to issue orders to subordinates.
It covers every aspect of military operations and administration and exists only within
national services. Note: the term “command” as used internationally, implies a lesser degree of
authority than when it is used in a purely national sense. No NATO or coalition commander has
full command over the forces assigned to him since, in assigning force to NATO, nations will
delegate only operational command or operational control.
Full naval control of shipping (FNCS). Mandatory worldwide naval control of shipping for all
Allied merchant shipping or specified categories thereof.
furthest-on-circle. An expanding circle centered on a datum or search center of which the radius at
any one time is a command estimate of maximum submarine travel from datum plus datum error.
G
GRASSHOPPER. A procedure to allow a transiting surface force, at short notice, the maximum
freedom for the use of ASW weapons.
grid.
MTP 1(D), Vol. I
Two sets of parallel lines intersecting at right angles and forming squares which are applied to
maps or charts to permit identification of surface locations with respect to other locations and computation
of direction and distance between points.
grid lock. The procedure in the CCG system that is employed to reduce errors in reporting caused by
errors in the estimated position of the reporting unit.
grid origin. The center of the grid in the CCG system from which X and Y coordinates originate; it
is based on a geographic reference position.
grid shift. The procedure in the CCG system that is employed to relocate the grid origin to another
geographic reference position.
guardship. A ship detailed for a specific duty for the purpose of enabling other ships in company to
assume a lower degree of readiness.
Guide. A ship on which other ships take station when forming up or keep station when formed; usually,
the ship on which all units of a formation (or all formation guides of a disposition) take and
keep station. Also see ATP 1, Vol. II, for further details.
Glossary-11 CHANGE 1