general quarters

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general quarters

A condition of readiness when naval action is imminent. All battle stations are fully manned and alert; ammunition is ready for instant loading; guns and guided missile launchers may be loaded.
Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US Department of Defense 2005.
Mentioned in
References in classic literature
Monk, always circumspect, stopped where he was, and placed his general quarters at Coldstream, on the Tweed.
"General quarters" is defined as a signal to all hands aboard that they must be able to go to "battle station" as quickly as possible.
In searing heat, Blues were ushered to the Hall of Mental Satisfaction, and saw the emperors' bedroom and general quarters, and out via the Imperial Garden.
"As long as the Derby winner is 100 per cent, he needs to run in the Preakness, - you need to try to keep the Triple Crown alive." Mine That Bird came from last-to-first in the Run For The Roses and he will face runnerup Pioneer of The Nile, thirdplaced Musket Man, fourth Papa Clem and unplaced pair General Quarters and Freisan Fire once again.
The European mission has established its general quarters in a building previously reserved for official receptions in a residential park in the heights of Tbilisi, not far from the former datcha belonging to Shevardnadze, the first president of independent Georgia (and last minister of foreign affairs in the URSS under Gorbachev).
About 15 minutes before general quarters secured, nearly three hours after being exposed to the spill, we looked at each other and confirmed that our buttocks were burning.
The captain sounded general quarters. My role for sub attacks was the hand controls on the wing of the bridge that released the two stern depth charges." Walter's blue eyes sparkle with animation.
With the general quarters alarm sounding immediately, he ran to his duty station, started the motors of his gun turret, put on headphones, and reported in.
In this case, one LAPD off-duty officer Luis Gasca, whose right hand went directly to his service pistol while his brain flashed to General Quarters, Battle Stations.
I served as assistant navigator, officer of the deck in general quarters and was the ship's athletic and recreation director.
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