General
speedball
What does speedball mean?
A duffel or bag of ammunition, water, or supplies quickly delivered, often airdropped, to troops in contact.
"They kicked a speedball of ammo out the door to the pinned-down squad."
Origin
U.S. military logistics slang.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'speedball' in military terms?
It is a bag or duffel of ammunition, water, or supplies rushed or airdropped to troops who are in contact or urgently need resupply.
How is a speedball delivered?
Often kicked out of an aircraft door or otherwise rushed to a unit, so supplies reach troops fast during a fight.
Does 'speedball' mean something else elsewhere?
Yes — outside the military the word has an unrelated drug meaning, but this entry refers strictly to the military logistics sense.
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