18 Delta

—special operations medic

35 Foxtrot

—intelligence analyst

APV

—armored personnel vehicle

AR

—augmented reality

BUD/S

—basic underwater demolition/SEAL training

CAG

—Combat Applications Group (First Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta—aka Delta Force, the Unit), the Army’s elite special operations force under operational control of the Joint Special Operations Command

CASEVAC

—casualty evacuation

CIA

—Central Intelligence Agency

CISA

—conventional intelligence and signals analyst

CL or CTL

—combat lead / combat team leader

CO

—commanding officer

CONUS/INCONUS

—continental United States / inside the continental United States

CSO

—chief staff officer

DARPA

—Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

DNI

—director of National Intelligence

DoD

—Department of Defense

DS&T

—CIA’s directorate of science and technology

exfil

—exfiltrate

FOB

—forward operating base

HUMINT

—human intelligence

HVT

—high-value target

IC

—intelligence community

indoc

—indoctrination

infil

—infiltrate

IR

—infrared

ISR

—intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance

JSOC

—Joint Special Operations Command

JSOTF

—Joint Special Operations task force

KIA

—killed in action

MARSOC

—Marine Corps Special Operations Command

MBITR

—multiband inter-/intra-team radio

N2

—the intelligence department in a military unit

NCTC

—National Counterterrorism Center

NOC

—nonofficial cover

NSA

—National Security Agency

NSW

—Naval Special Warfare

NVGs

—night-vision goggles

OGA

—other government agency; frequently refers to the CIA or other clandestine organizations

ONR

—Office of Naval Research

OPORD

—operations order

OPSEC

—operational security

QRF

—quick reaction force

PT

—physical training

ROE

—rules of engagement

RPG

—rocket-propelled grenade

SAPI

—small-arms protective insert

SCIF

—sensitive compartmented information facility

SEALs

—sea, air, and land teams; Naval Special Warfare

SecDef

—secretary of defense

SF

—special forces; refers specifically to the Army Special Operations Green Berets

SIGINT

—signals intelligence

sitrep

—situation report

SOAR

—special operations aviation regiment

SOCOM

—special operations command

SOF

—special operations forces

SOPMOD

—special operations modification

SQT

—SEAL qualification training

SWCC

—special warfare combatant-craft crewmen; boat teams supporting SEAL operations

TAD

—temporary additional duty

Trinity Global

—the official cover entity for the Shepherds organization

Trinity Loop

—the headquarters facility for Trinity and operational command of Shepherds North America

TRP

—thermoplastic rubber

TS/SCI

—top secret / sensitive compartmented information; the
highest-level security clearance

TSL

—tactical spiritual leader

TOC

—tactical operations center

UCAV/UAV

—unmanned combat aerial vehicle / unmanned aerial vehicle

USN

—United States Navy

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Since the launch of this series with book one, Dark Intercept, we have been overwhelmed by the support we have received for this new adventure. From our military partners and charities, to our media friends and podcasters and new connections we have made, to the staff and members of our churches, the support for these stories has been powerful. To say we are touched is an understatement. We’ve thanked our team at Tyndale House before, but your support is so amazing, it would be a crime not to say thank you again. Karen, Jan, Sarah, Andrea, Amanda, Elizabeth, Isabella, and Dean and the design department, thank you for all the attention and TLC you give us and this series.