Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

chalk

English answer:

plane-load/helicopter-load of troops

Added to glossary by María Teresa Taylor Oliver
Apr 11, 2005 15:12
19 yrs ago
2 viewers *
English term

chalk (in this context)

English Other Military / Defense
Good morning, dear ProZians :)

I recently saw the excellent film "Black Hawk Down" and I was wondering about the term "chalk". The various officers used it to indicate "units", I believe [or "columns", perhaps?].

Here are a few instances, from the Internet Movie Database webpage:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0265086/quotes

1) [after Eversmann debriefs his ***chalk*** on Wolcott's crashed helicopter]
Nelson: How come I gotta stay back here?
Eversmann: Because you're dependable.
Nelson: [to Twombly after Eversmann, Wadell, Schmid, and Galentine head for the crash site] I hate being dependable, man.

2) Gen. Garrison: How far is ***Chalk*** Four from the crash site?
Col. Harrel: Six blocks, sir.
Gen. Garrison: Well they need to haul ass.


I'm not very familiar with military terminology... and I my curiosity was piqued. What is the origin of this term in this particular context?

Thanks a lot.

Discussion

Non-ProZ.com Apr 11, 2005:
David, you win a million KudoZ just for providing me with that URL for my ever-growing collection :D *jumps around excitedly* Here's a virtual chocolate chip cookie for you :)

Responses

+3
13 mins
Selected

plane-load of troops

Or helicopter-load in this case
Peer comment(s):

agree Ian M-H (X) : super link, as Asker has already commented!
1 hr
agree DGK T-I
1 hr
agree bigedsenior
1 day 9 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks a lot to both :)"
9 mins

group or unit

:)

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 12 mins (2005-04-11 15:25:07 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

From a translation to Portuguese, where \"grupo\" is referred as \"Chalk one\":


do Batalhão Ranger, que desembarcou com seu grupo ( Chalk One ) duas quadras ao
sul do perímetro original. O rádio. Comandante militar Mohamed Farrah Aidid ...
www.tropaselite.hpg.ig.com.br/USA_OPERACAO_SOMALIA.htm - 45k - Resultado Adicional - Em cache - Páginas Semelhantes
Something went wrong...
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search