When aircraft work in pairs (called Flights), with a "lead" aircraft and a "wingman" that stays nearby (and often in Formation with the lead aircraft). If two or more are present in the same mission, the callsign for each individual aircraft is followed by a number, e.g. "Ugly 1", "Ugly 2", etc. As is common with vehicles, "Ugly 1" would be the nominal leader of the flight. As long as the aircraft are acting as a pair, the leader makes all of the non-emergency decisions for both planes.
BRevity words for AVIATION
Brevity is a top priority, and to this end, our aviation elements have a set of NATO-style brevity codes. Brevity codes are used to aid in communication and coordination between airframe-to-airframe and airframe-to-JTAC in a tactical situation by shortening complex radio transmissions into single words. While there are many hundreds of NATO military brevity codes, this just represents a short amount that are used by our group. What follows is an alphabetised list of the tactical brevity codes that are relevant and are used in combat and training situations:
Abort, abort, abort Call to cease action/attack/event/mission. CAS Airframe must break off the attack. Munitions release is not authorized. This can be used, for instance, if the FAC sees that the CASA is about to attack the wrong target, friendly positions, or if other negative circumstances will degrade the strike's effectiveness beyond usefulness.
Alpha Check Description of range & bearing to a location/task/target
Anchor/Anchored Location of loitering airframe around a specific reference point
Angels____ A pre-briefed altitude height that the "angels" number is added is X1,000 AGL. (If the Angels is 10,000 AGL, then the airframe is 15,000 AGL). Ex: "Hornet 1-2 is Angels 5"
AO Area of Operations, the approximate area at which enemy engagement is expected to take place.
AP Anchor Point. The specified location around which an airframe orbits while waiting for or receiving tasking. Typically only fixed wing and transport rotary wing will establish APs.
Authenticate Request to respond to a coded message for verification
Bandit Airframe identified as hostile. Unless stated by the ROE, identifying an aircraft as hostile does not constitute permission to engage.
Bag Nickname for a flight suit.
Bagger More flight traps. Essentially areas which restrict manoeuvrability of airframes.
Basement Hanger deck of airframe. Where inoperable or off-station airframes are stored.
Bent Airframe is inoperable or has sustained significant damage.
Bogey An unknown radar contact. Presumably airframe based.
BDA Battle Damage Assessment. A report delivered on the result of a CAS tasking, to the airframe which conducted the CAS. Typically this report comes from a JTAC, though if the JTAC did not observe the CAS, the report can be delivered from someone who did, for example, another airframe in the area.
Bingo Bingo fuel indicates the minimum fuel state required to return safely to the nearest allied airfield. A call of "Bingo fuel" is typically an indicator to the JTAC that the airframe in question is requesting permission to immediately return to base and refuel.
Bird(s) Affirm/Away/Negate AA unit has a 'lock' on enemy air asset/AA missile has been fired/AA cannot engage target
Blind Airframe cannot spot friendly positions.
Blue-on-Blue Blue-on-Blue is friendly fire, in the context of CAS it is an airframe engaging friendlies directly, or engaging targets close enough to friendlies to pose a threat. A radio call of Blue-on-Blue should be seen as an order to immediately cease engagement.
Buster Go as fast as possible. Used in fixed-wing airframes.
Bug Out Essential & rapid exit from dogfight or airframe engagements.
Bingo Field A long strip of land, such as an open field or a airfield tarmac that can be used to land airframes in times of need.
Bingo Fuel Minimum amount of fuel needed to RTB Ex: 'Red Dragon is Bingo plus 10 mikes"
Bird Airplane
Bounce / Tap Unexpected attack on airframe. Typically small arms fire is associated with this, but also applied with hostile vehicles. Used in reference such as "I got rounds bouncing off my tail-end"
BP Battle Point, the specified static location at which a rotary wing gunship hovers to allow the WSO to better identify and engage targets. Typically a BP is 1km - 4km away from the location at which targets are likely to be present.
Bubbas Members apart of the same squadron or flight.
Bombs Away Bombs have been released. When utilizing laser guidance, this notifies the FAC that the bombs are falling and that laser designation must be maintained until impact. When in a "danger close" situation, this can be used to notify the friendly ground forces to take cover.
Bravo Zulu Praise for doing good. Called out when a pilot completes his mission or performs a risky manoeuvre to save his fellow brothers-in-arms. Used by US Naval Aviators.
Breaking off Declaration from airframe that it is desisting from its current tasking and leaving the area. Example, "This is Camelot 1-1, CAS complete, breaking off south".
Brevity Too much radio use, make shorter transmissions
Bullseye A known point from which any object (target/friendly position) can be identified using cardinal/terrain features and/or target reference points.
C2 Command and Control
Cap Loitering at a specific know point/location
Captured On-board sensor has acquired target
CCP Casualty Collection Point, the area at which ground casualties are gathered in preparation for extraction by CASEVAC airframe. Typically placed near approved helicopter landing sites.
Cherubs 100 meters per. Corresponds with rotor-wing aviation.
Cease Fire Stop Firing or Do Not Open Fire on an identified target.
Cleared Hot (Type 1 & 2) Radio transmission from the JTAC to an airframe that they are authorized to release their requested, approved ordnance.
Cleared to Engage (Type 3) Authorized release of ordinance
Closing Decreasing range
Check Six Check behind you. Called out to other airframes in regards to friendlies or hostiles at the rear of an airframe.
Column Combat formation, where the wingman is placed directly behind the flight leader. Typically used when a flight engages the same CAS point with the same ordnance. Example, two fixed wings conducting a formation rocket run on the same location.
Contact Sensor/visual of enemy forces Acknowledgement of a specified target reference point
Continue Continue present movement
Continue Dry This call is given either by the FAC or the CAS airframe. "Continue dry" simply means that the aircraft is going to fly an attack run but not release ordnance. This can be the result of an abort call or when circumstances make it likely that ordnance release at that particular time will be less than desirable. If the FAC tells the CAS aircraft to "Continue dry", the CAS pilot should reply with "Roger, continuing dry" to let the FAC know that he understood the message.
Control Type 1, 2 and 3 The level of control a JTAC has over CAS assets
Cyclops Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Delta Change of time, in minutes or hours.
DNF Depart/ing normal flight (loss of airframe control)
Ex: "A/C is DNF after missile hit
Echelon Combat formation, where the wingman is placed behind and to the left or right of the flight leader. The distance between the two is dependent on the airframe, though a general rule is the higher the speed, the greater the dispersion.
ETA Estimated Time of Arrival, the approximate time required for an airframe to conduct a tasking.
Flaps Full/Half/Up An order from flight lead to wingman to fully extend, half extend or fully retract the flaps. Typically announced during takeoff and landing in fixed-wing airframes.
Front-End Delta An airframe at the most front end of a formation. Opposite of Tail-End Charlie.
Fox + Number Launch of an air-to-air missile. When engaging with air-to-air missiles, it is relayed over the radio which ordnance is being fired. Example: "Cleared to engage." "Copy that, Fox 2 ... Target missed ... Fox 2 ... Target hit!"
Fox 1 Semi-active radar guided missile (eg. AIM-7 Sparrow)
Fox 2 Infrared guided missile (eg. AIM/9-X)
Fox 3 Active radar guided missile (eg. AIM-120 AMRAAM)
Fragged Indication that friendly or enemy airframes are loaded for bear.
Firewall Full throttle forward limit. The point to where an airframe cannot go faster than the available throttle limit.
Fur Ball A confused flight engagement. A term used to describe friendly fire incidents.
Friendly, friendlies A positively identified friendly contact. This can be identified visually or via radar.
Fangs Out When a pilot is going hot. To engage hostile forces.
FM Fucking Magic. A comedic term that describes a pilots ability in a fight.
Gadget Radar Equipment
Gear up/down An order from flight lead to wingman to deploy or retract the landing gear.
Grape Target that is an easy kill. Said when hostile is showing lack of tactics or amateurism.
Guns! Radio call transmitted when an airframe engages with cannon in an air-to-air or air-to-ground shot.
Hit(s), Good Hit(s) An air-to-air or air-to-ground target successfully hit, or impacted within a lethal distance to the target. In air-to-air engagements, typically the firer will announce whether they have successfully hit the target. In air-to-ground engagements, confirmation of hits is generally done by the JTAC, as part of a BDA.
Hop / Sortie A mission or a flight.
Home Plate Base/Airstrip/Carrier
Hunter-Killer A method where two airframes coordinate together to eliminate a target. One airframe maintains a pylon turn & laser designates on a target. The secondary airframe will use laser-guided ordnance to engage from a safe distance away.
HLS Helicopter Landing Site, the pre-approved location at which a chopper can land. Chosen by JTAC and relayed to rotary wing airframes capable of CASEVAC or logistical transport. HLS' are all accompanied by a unique name to differentiate multiple HLS'.
ID, PID Request to identify a target, or a report confirming a target has been positively identified. Example, JTAC can request that air attempts to ID targets spotted by a platoon.
In Direction of inbound flight with direction Ex: "In from the WEST"
IP (Initial Point) Marker used as a reference point for close air support missions Ex: "Havok 12 is at IP SPIKE"
Inbound Declaration that an airframe is approaching on the requested vector to their current tasking. Example "This is Camelot 1.2, we are inbound to target, 1 mike out". In the case of laser guided bombing CAS, the declaration “Inbound” is a notification to the JTAC to activate the laser designator.
ISTARs Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance. For special operations missions.
JTAC Joint Terminal Attack Controller
Knife Fight in a Phone Booth A close aerial dogfight with a nimble adversary. Typically a fight against an ace pilot.
Looking Airframe is searching for ground object, reference point, target in sight (opposite of CONTACT)
Offset Direction Left or right side of the IP-to-target line an airframe can maneuver for an attack
On Station Airframe in the area and ready for mission tasking
Laser On, Laser is On Request from airframe to JTAC to activate laser designator. Also confirmation from JTAC to airframe that the laser is active.
Laser Off, Laser is Off Laser designator has been switched off. Airframe must give a "Laser on" command for the FAC to designate again.
Lima-Charlie Military phonetic alphabet for Loud-and-Clear. Two parties can hear each other over the radio with minimal or no interference.
Lock, locked Enemy contact has been successfully locked onto.
Lights Out Radar is off.
Lost contact Radar lock has been broken between an airframe and a target. Typically used when an enemy contact has disappeared from an airframe radar, typically due to terrain masking or successful destruction.
Lost Bubble A pilot who is lost and is unaware of the current situation.
Loud Handle Lever for ejection seat.
Magnum Announcement from an airframe that a Anti-Radiation missile (AGM-88) has been fired. Is usually announced with location of the airframe, so friendly airframes can identify the missile as friendly on their Radar Warning Receiver.
Miller Time Indicates survivor(s) aboard combat search & rescue vehicle Ex: "Pedro 1-3 is Miller Time x3"
Naked Warning without missile threat indication.
Nose Hot / Cold Announcement that the airframe's Radar works. Hot means operational. Cold means inoperational / offline.
No Joy Announcement that a airframe cannot spot hostile targets or a specified target cannot be visually identified. Note it is possible to have a positive radar contact and be unable to visually ID, hence no eyes.
NFOD No Fear of Death. Describes pilots with ace status or those who are determined to complete the mission no matter the cost.
Nugget First tour aviator. A newly graduated pilot.
OEI One engine is inoperational. Announced when an engine of an airframe takes significant damage to where it can no longer maintain operability.
Paint, painted Announcement from an airframe to others that it has been locked by a radar from a potentially hostile source. Example, "Camelot 1.1 this is Camelot 1.2, I am being painted by something to the north-east."
PAN, PAN Possible Assistance Needed, used if an airframe has received potential damage. Other airframes will check on the suspected damaged airframe and will notify ground teams for an emergency landing if necessary.
Pedro / Dustoff Combat Search & Rescue airframe Ex: "Pedro 1-3 en-route to LZ Cain"
Pickle Declaration from an airframe that it has released one or multiple guided or unguided bombs.
Pylon Pattern Airframe orbits a designated area.
Punch out Ejection from fixed-wing airframe.
Playtime Time airframe has left before Bingo Fuel (hours + minutes) Ex: "Haymaker has 1-30 Playtime on station" (1hr and 30 minutes)
Popcorn CSAR is departing the pick-up zone (PZ). Followed by number of recovered personnel Ex: "HQ, Popcorn plus 3"
Rifle/Missile Away Announcement from an airframe that it has fired an air-to-ground missile. (eg. AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-84 Harpoon)
Rope Circular IR pointer patten around the airframe to identify friendly ground position.
Rockets! Announcement from an airframe that it is firing unguided rockets.
RTB Return to Base.
Rag Leader of a squadron or flight.
SAM Surface to Air Missile
Scramble Airframe to takeoff ASAP
Shopping An aircraft requesting CAS/JTAC element for a target
Sparkle IR pointer used by ground forces to identify a position or target
Splash/Scratch Air-to-air target hit and destroyed / weapon impact
Steady Request to stop oscillating IR illumination
Squawk - Ident Identification of airframe. Recieving airframe usually identifies with a series of numbers issued by Air Traffic Control. Can also announce the type of airframe, ordnance and it's faction.
Smoke Smoke marker/grenade used to mark a position/target
Snake Oscillating an IR pointer in a figure "8" pattern around a target to help the airframe gain a TALLY and also gain VISUAL of friendly ground forces.
Tally Positive visual sighting of a target. Opposite of no joy.
Tail-End Charlie The airframe at the most rear of the formation. Opposite of Front-End Delta
Tiger Enough fuel & weapons for the airframe to accept a mission
TOT Time On Target
TTP Tactics, Techniques and Procedures
Tumbleweed No situational awareness (no visual contact, friendly position, etc) and requesting information
Visual Airframe has spotted friendly positions.
Viper Thunder Aircraft has authorized access and is releasing designated high-power munitions.
Warning Air defense risk scale:
Hostile attack is - RED - Imminent or in progress
YELLOW - Probable
WHITE - Improbable
Weapons Free / Clear to Engage Order from JTAC, clearing airframes to engage targets confirmed to be non-friendly as per the ROE.
Winchester Airframe has no ordnance remaining, or a specific type of ordnance has been exhausted. Typically coupled with a request to RTB. Example: "Spartan 1 Oscar we are Winchester on rockets, requesting permission to RTB immediately".
What Luck Request for results of mission/task
Whiskey/Willie Pete/WP White Phosphorous Ex: "Enemy marked by Willie Pete"
All pilots must be familiar with all of these terminologies, and be able to use them appropriately in missions or in training.
RADIO USAGE
This serves to explain pilots, or pilots in training, how to efficiently utilize and manage radios/frequencies and what the guidelines are. It is being created to minimize confusion of communications on radios. This document is to be regarded as a SOP unless changed otherwise in the future, which means that instructions in this document must be followed by all personnel in the task force.
Short Range Radio (AN/PRC-152)
Personal radio, issued to all pilots in their loadout, is used for communications within air base grounds and in-flight communications.
Tuned to FRQ 66.1.
Is to be utilized to notify the flight of maneuvers, climb/dive angles, altitude/speed changes, etc.
Is to be set to both ears, its volume to be at or below 90.
Long Range Radio (AN/ARC-210)
Aerial issued radio is found in all airframes and is utilized to communicate with air control elements as well as other airframes operating in the area of operations and Air Traffic Controls.
Is to be tuned to FRQ 60 at all times. FRQ 60 is to be set on the left ear, its volume to be at or below 90. FRQ 60 is utilized for communications among flights of airframes and ATCs. FLIGHT LEAD speaks on FRQ 60 only, unless he is occupied with communications traffic on FRQ 80 -> in that case, 2IC of flight takes over until IC is able to speak again.
Is to be tuned to FRQ 80 at all times as well. FRQ 80 is to be set on the right ear, its volume to be at or below 90. FRQ 80 is utilized for communications with air control elements (JFO, JTAC, etc.). FLIGHT LEAD speaks on FRQ 80 only. Only if FLIGHT LEAD is unable to communicate, 2IC steps in to speak. (this does not include a brief lull in comms to take down notes)
Frequency Discipline
All traffic within flight is communicated on the PRC.
PRC communications is to be minimized. Pilots need to be proficient enough in flying to be able to follow designated flight paths and FLIGHT LEAD without constant chatter. This implies in case other ARC FRQs are busy, in order to minimize radio clutter.
ARC is to be listened to by all airframes of the wing, however only FLIGHT LEADs speak on them unless special circumstances occur as explained above.
If communicating with JFO/JTAC/COMMS SPC and FRQ 80 is too cluttered, coordinate with JFO/JTAC/COMMS SPC to switch FRQ (eg. 81) in order to minimize confusion, chaos and clutter of information.