Chalk (military)
Encyclopedia
In military
terminology, a chalk is a specific aircraft load, especially a group of airborne soldiers which deploy from a single aircraft. A chalk often corresponds to a platoon
sized unit for air-assault operations, or a company
-minus sized organization for airborne operations. For air-transport operations, it can consist of up to a company-plus sized unit.
The term was popularized during the Vietnam War
when it was common practice to number with chalk the sides of the helicopters involved in an operation.
The term was first coined in World War II
for airborne troops during the Allied invasion of Fortress Europe. The aircraft flight number was placed on the troops' backs with chalk, thus the name Chalk for Chalk 1, Chalk 2, etc.
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
terminology, a chalk is a specific aircraft load, especially a group of airborne soldiers which deploy from a single aircraft. A chalk often corresponds to a platoon
Platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
sized unit for air-assault operations, or a company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
-minus sized organization for airborne operations. For air-transport operations, it can consist of up to a company-plus sized unit.
The term was popularized during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
when it was common practice to number with chalk the sides of the helicopters involved in an operation.
The term was first coined in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
for airborne troops during the Allied invasion of Fortress Europe. The aircraft flight number was placed on the troops' backs with chalk, thus the name Chalk for Chalk 1, Chalk 2, etc.