# Multiservice tactical brevity code

Multiservice tactical brevity codes are codes used by various military forces. The codes' procedure words, a type of voice procedure, are designed to convey complex information with a few words.

## American/NATO codes

This is a list of American standardized brevity code words. The scope is limited to those brevity codes used in multiservice operations and does not include words unique to single service operations. While these codes are not authoritative in nature, all services agree to their meanings. Using the codes eases coordination and improves understanding during multiservice operations. The codes are intended for use by air, ground, sea, and space operations personnel at the tactical level. Code words that are followed by an asterisk (*) may differ in meaning from NATO usage. There is a key provided below to describe what personnel use which codes, as codes may have multiple meanings depending on the service. These are denoted in-line for each brevity code.
Key :
| Denotation | Meaning |
| No Caveat | Denotes a general brevity code. |
| [A/A] | Applies to air-to-air (A/A) operations or communications. |
| [AIR-MAR] | Applies to maritime air (AIR-MAR) operations or communications. |
| [A/S] | Applies to air-to-surface (A/S) operations or communications. |
| [EW] | Applies to electromagnetic warfare (EW) operations or communications. |
| [MAR] | Applies to maritime-to-maritime (MAR) operations or communications. |
| [S/A] | Applies to surface-to-air (S/A) operations or communications. |
| [SO] | Applies to space operations (SO) operations or communications. |
| [S/S] | Applies to surface-to-surface (S/S) operations or communications. |
* A
* B
* C
* D
* E
* F
* G
* H
* I
* J
* K
* L
* M
* N
* O
* P
* R
* S
* T
* U
* V
* W
* X
* Y
* References

### A
#### Aborting/Abort/Aborted

    Directive/informative call to cease action/attack/event/mission.

#### Action $^{[A/A][A/S][S/A][AIR-MAR]}$

    Directive to initiate a briefed attack sequence or maneuver.

#### Active* $^{[A/A][EW]}$

    An emitter is radiating.

#### Add (system/category) $^{[EW]}$

    Directive call to add a specific system or electronic order of battle (EOB) category to search responsibility.

#### Alarm $^{[A/A][EW][MAR][SO]}$

    Directive/informative call indicating the termination of emission control (EMCON) procedures.

#### Alligator

    Link-11/tactical digital information link (TADIL) A.

#### Alpha check*

    Request for/confirmation of bearing and range to described point.

#### Anchor

* Orbit about a specific point; refueling track flown by tanker
* Informative call to indicate a turning engagement about a specific location.

#### Angels

    Height of a friendly aircraft (altitude) in thousands of feet (e.g., "Angels Five" is 5,000 ft).

#### Anyface

    Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft.

#### Arizona

    No anti-radiation missile (ARM) ordnance remaining.

#### As fragged

    Unit or element will be performing exactly as stated by the air tasking order (ATO).

#### Ashcan

    ASW (Anti-submarine warfare) depth charge.

#### Authenticate

    To request or provide a response for a coded challenge.

#### Autocat

    Any communications relay using automatic retransmissions.

#### Away

    Friendly weapon release (e.g. "Missile away" or "Pig Away")

#### Azimuth

    Two or more groups primarily separated in bearing.

### B
#### Ball

    Aircraft carrier optical landing system.

#### Bandit

    An aircraft identified as enemy, in accordance with theater ID criteria. The term does not necessarily imply direction or authority to engage.

#### Banzai

    Information/directive to execute launch and decide tactics.

#### Base (number)

    Reference number used to indicate such information as headings, altitude, and fuels.

#### Bassett

    Rocket-thrown ASW torpedo.

#### Bead Window

    Last transmission potentially disclosed unauthorized information.

#### Beam/beaming

    Target stabilized within 70 to 110 degree aspect; generally (direction) given with cardinal directions: east, west, north, or south.

#### Bent

    System indicated is inoperative.

#### Bingo

* Minimum fuel state needed for aircraft to return to base.
* Proceed/am proceeding to specified base (field) or carrier.

#### Bird

    Friendly surface-to-air missile (SAM).

#### Bird(s) affirm

    Surface-to-air (S/A) informative call indicating unit is able and prepared to engage a specified target with SAMs (presumes target is within or will enter the SAM engagement envelope).

#### Bird(s) away

    Friendly SAM has been fired at designated target.

#### Bird(s) negat

    S/A informative call indicating unit is unable to engage a specified target with SAMs. Opposite of bird(s) affirm.

#### Bittersweet

    Notification of possible blue on blue (friendly fire) situation relative to a designated track or friendly aircraft.

#### Blank

    A suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) aircraft does not detect any emitters of interest.

#### Blind

    No visual contact with friendly aircraft/ground position; opposite of "Visual".

#### Bloodhound

    ASW Torpedo.

#### Bloomer

    Disregard my last transmission.

#### Blow through

    Directive/informative call that indicates aircraft will continue straight ahead at the merge and not turn with target/targets.

#### Blue on blue

    Friendly fire, inadvertent hostile engagement between allies.

#### Bogey

    A radar or visual air contact whose identity is unknown.

#### Bogey dope

    Request for target information as briefed/available.

#### Box

    Groups/contacts/formations in a square or offset square. FM 101-5-1 MCRP 5-2A

#### BRAA

    Tactical control format providing target bearing, range, altitude, and aspect, relative to a friendly aircraft or bullseye.

#### Bracket

    Indicates geometry where friendly aircraft will maneuver to a position on opposing sides, either laterally or vertically from the target.

#### Break (direction)

    Directive to perform an immediate maximum performance turn in the direction indicated; assumes a defensive situation.

#### Breakaway

    Tanker or receiver directive call indicating immediate vertical and nose/tail separation between tanker and receiver is required.

#### Brevity

    Radio frequency is becoming saturated, degraded, or jammed and briefer transmissions must follow.

#### Broadcast

    Request/directive to switch to broadcast control.

#### Broke lock

    Loss of radar/infrared (IR) lock-on (advisory).

#### Bruiser

    Friendly air-launched anti-ship missile (AShM) (for example, Harpoon, Exocet, or Penguin missiles).

#### Buddy lock

    Locked to a known friendly aircraft; normally a response to a spike or buddy spike call and accompanied with position/heading/altitude.

#### Buddy spike

    Friendly aircraft air-to-air indication on radar warning receiver (RWR); to be followed by position, heading, and altitude.

#### Bugout

    Separation from that particular engagement/attack/operation; no intent to (direction) re-engage/return.

#### Bulldog

    Friendly surface/submarine-launched AShM (for example, Harpoon, Exocet, Otomat).

#### Bullseye

    An established point from which the position of an object can be referenced; made by cardinal/range or digital format.

#### Bump/Bump-up

    Start temporary increase of flight altitude to set the aircraft to a favorable glide path to the target on the attack run.

#### Burn glint

    Used to provide illumination.

#### Buster

    Directive call to fly at maximum continuous speed.

#### Buzzer

    Electronic communications jamming.

### C
#### Candygram

    Informative call to aircraft that electronic warfare (EW) targeting information is available on a briefed secure net.

#### Cap/capping

* Directive call to establish an orbit at a specified location. (location)
* An orbit at a specified location.

#### Captured

    Aircrew has identified and is able to track a specified air-to-ground (A/G) target with an onboard sensor.

#### Cease

    In air defense, break the engagement on the target specified. Missiles in flight engagement will continue to intercept.

#### Cease fire

    Discontinue firing and/or Do not open fire; complete intercept if weapons are in flight; continue to track.

#### CERTSUB

    Visual sighting of a submarine.

#### Champagne

    An attack of three distinct groups with two in front and one behind.

#### Chattermark

    Begin using briefed radio procedures to counter communications jamming.

#### Cheapshot

* (USAF) Active missile supported to high pulse repetition frequency (HPRF, better against oncoming targets), but not medium pulse repetition frequency (MPRF, better against targets flying away).
* (Naval) Active missile not supported to active range.

#### Check turn (deg)

    degrees left or right and maintain new heading. (Left/right)

#### Cherubs

    Height of a friendly aircraft in hundreds of feet.

#### Chicks

    Friendly aircraft.

#### Christmas tree

    to turn on all exterior lighting.

#### Clean

* No radar contacts on aircraft of interest.
* No visible battle damage
* Aircraft not carrying external stores.

#### Cleared

    Requested action is authorized (no engaged/support roles are assumed).

#### Cleared hot

    Ordnance release is authorized.

#### Cloak

    Directive/informative call to switch from normal external lighting to covert night vision device (NVD) only compatible lighting.

#### Closing

    Decreasing in range.

#### Cobra

    ASW torpedo in gyro angle snake search (GASS) mode (e.g. Mk46).

#### Cold

* Attack geometry will result in a pass or rollout behind the target.
* On a leg of the combat air patrol (CAP) pointed away from anticipated threats.
* Group(s) heading away from friendly aircraft.
* In ASW, designated unit has lost sonar contact.

#### Color (system)

    Request for information on a given system at stated location; usually a request for (system/position) ambiguity resolution. May be used with improved data modem (IDM) data message−color, data.

#### Comeoff

    Directive to maneuver as indicated to either regain mutual support or to (left/right/deconflict flight paths for an exchange of engaged and supporting roles; low/dry) implies both visual and tally.

#### Commit/committed

    Fighter intent to engage/intercept; controller continues to provide information.

#### Confetti

    Chaff lane or corridor.

#### Cons/conning

    Threat/bogey aircraft leaving contrails.

#### Contact

* Sensor contact at the stated position.
* Acknowledges sighting of a specified reference point.

#### Continue

    Continue present maneuver; does not imply clearance to engage or expend ordnance.

#### Continue dry

    Ordnance release not authorized.

#### Cover/covering

    Directive/informative call to take Surface/Air action or establish an air-to-air (A/A) posture that will allow engagement of a specified target or threat.

#### Cowboys

    Ships of an ASW Search and Attack Unit (SAU).

#### Crank

    To maneuver beyond the range of a missile; implies illuminating target at radar gimbal limits in a beyond visual range engagement.

#### Cutoff

    Request for, or directive to, intercept using cutoff geometry.

#### Cyclops

    Any unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

### D
#### Dash (#)

    Aircraft position within a flight. Use if specific call sign is unknown.

#### Data

    Standby for improved data modem (IDM) data message concerning (object) at stated location.

#### Datum

    Last known position of a submarine contact after contact was lost.

#### Deadeye

    Informative call by an airborne laser designator indicating the laser/IR system is inoperative.

#### Deadstick

    No propulsive power due to loss of the engine/s. - see Deadstick landing

#### Declare

    Inquiry as to the identification of a specified track(s), target(s), or correlated group.

#### Defensive/defending

    Aircraft is in a defensive position and maneuvering with reference to an active threat.

#### De-louse

    Directive to detect and identify unknown aircraft trailing friendly aircraft.

#### Deploy

    Directive to maneuver to briefed positioning.

#### Divert

    Proceed to alternate mission or base.

#### Dogbox

    Area within which units may interfere with or be endangered by ASW torpedoes

#### Dolly

    Tactical Digital Information Link C [Link-4A] (Link-4A/TADIL C). This term was removed from U.S. usage in 2023.

#### Drag/dragging

* (USAF) Target stabilized at 0 to 60 degrees aspect. (direction)
* (Naval) Target stabilized at 120 to 180 degrees aspect.

#### Drop/dropping

* Directive/informative call to stop monitoring a specified emitter/target and resume search responsibilities.
* Remove the emitter/target from tactical picture/track stores.

#### Duck

    Tactical air-launched decoy (TALD).

#### Dustbin

    Nuclear ASW depth charge.

### E
#### Echelon

    Groups/contacts/formation with wingman displaced approximately 45 degrees behind leader's 3/9 (o'clock) line, see Echelon formation.

#### Echo

    Positive SEESAW/electronic warfare weapons system (EWWS)/System M/Mode X reply.

#### Engaged

    Maneuvering with the intent to kill; this implies visual/radar acquisition of target.

#### Estimate

    Provides estimate of the size, range, height, or other parameter of a specified contact; implies degradation.

#### Extend

    Short-term maneuver to gain energy, distance, or separation; normally with the (direction) intent of re-engaging.

#### Eyeball

* Fighter with primary visual identification responsibility.
* Electro-optical (EO)/IR/NVD acquisition of an aircraft. Normally followed by ( ) number of aircraft observed.

### F
#### Faded

    Radar contact is lost. (Termination of track plotting is not warranted.)

#### Fast

    Target speed is estimated to be at least 600 kn (1,100 km/h) ground speed or Mach 1.

#### Father

    Tactical air navigation (TACAN) station.

#### Feather

    visual sighting of a periscope wake.

#### Feeler

    Fire control radar.

#### Feet wet/dry

    Flying over water/land.

#### FENCE (in/out)

    Set cockpit switches as appropriate prior to entering/exiting the combat area (mnemonic for fire-control system/ECM/navigation/communication/Emitters).

#### Fish

    Inbound torpedo.

#### Flank/flanking

* (USAF) Target with a stable aspect of 120 to 150 degrees.
* (Naval) Target with stable aspect of 30 to 60 degrees.

#### Flash (system)

    Temporarily turn on pre-briefed identification, friend or foe (IFF) mode or system.

#### Float

    Directive/informative call to expand the formation laterally within visual limits to maintain a radar contact or prepare for a defensive response.

#### Fox (number)

    Simulated/actual launch of air-to-air weapons.
       ONE - semiactive radar-guided missile, such as an AIM-7 Sparrow or Skyflash.
       TWO - infrared-guided missile, such as an AIM-9 Sidewinder or AIM-132 ASRAAM.
       THREE - active radar-guided missile, such as an AIM-120 AMRAAM or AIM-54 Phoenix.

#### Fox mike

    Very high frequency (VHF)/frequency modulated (FM) radio.

#### Friendly

    A positively identified friendly contact.

#### Furball

    A turning fight involving multiple aircraft with known bandits and friendlies mixed.

#### Flat

    Even yourself out or calibrate yourself

### G
#### Gadget

    Radar or emitter equipment.

#### Gate

    Directive/informative call to fly as quickly as possible, using afterburner/maximum power.

#### Gimbal

    Radar target is approaching azimuth or elevation limits. (Direction)

#### Gingerbread

    Directive to establish/maintain tighter brevity over voice communications.

#### Glowworm

    Flare-dropping aircraft

#### Go active

    Go to the briefed HAVE QUICK net (UHF radio frequency hopping mode)

#### Goblin

    Enemy diesel electric powered submarine.

#### Go clear

    Use unencrypted voice communications.

#### Goggle/degoggle

    Directive/informative call to put on/take off night vision devices.

#### Gorilla

    Large force of indeterminate numbers and formation.

#### Go secure

    Use encrypted voice communications.

#### Grandslam

    All hostile aircraft of a designated track (or against which a mission was tasked) are shot down.

#### Green (direction)

    Direction determined to be clearest of enemy air-to-air activity.

#### Greyhound

    Friendly ground attack cruise missile (for example, Tomahawk land attack missile (TLAM) and conventional air-launched cruise missile (CALCM)).

#### Group

    Radar targets within approximately 3 nautical miles (3.5 mi; 5.6 km) of each other.

#### Guns

    An air-to-air or air-to-surface gunshot.

### H
#### Hard (direction)

    High-G, energy-sustaining turn.

#### Head/head on

* (USAF) Target with an aspect of 160 to 180 degrees.
* (Naval) Target with an aspect of 0 to 20 degrees.

#### Heads up

    Alert of an activity of interest.

#### Heavy

    A group or package known to contain three or more entities.

#### High

    Between 25,000 and 40,000 ft (7,600 and 12,200 m) above mean sea level (MSL).

#### Hit(s)

* Air-to-air (A/A) Momentary radar returns search. (Indicates approximate altitude information from fighter.)
* Air-to-ground (A/G) Weapons impact within lethal distance.

#### Hold down

    Directive to key transmitter for direction-finding (DF) steer.

#### Holding hands

    Aircraft in visual formation.

#### Hold fire

    An emergency fire control order used to stop firing on a designated target, to include destruction of any missiles in flight.

#### Home plate

    Home airfield or carrier.

#### Hook (left/right)

    Directive to perform an in-place 180-degree turn.

#### Hostile

    A contact identified as enemy upon which clearance to fire is authorized in accordance with theater rules of engagement.

#### Hot

* Attack geometry will result in rollout in front of the target.
* On a leg of the CAP pointing toward the anticipated threats.
* Group heading towards friendly aircraft; opposite of COLD.
* Ordnance employment intended or completed.
* Anti-Aircraft weapon is operational and tracking.
* In ASW, designated unit has a sonar contact.

#### Hotdog

    Informative/directive call that an aircraft is approaching or at a specified standoff distance from the sovereign airspace of a nation (as defined by national boundaries or territorial sea and airspace). (Color may indicate additional standoff distance.) Follow briefed procedures.

#### Hotshot

    Informative call that an aircraft is deploying flares for either system testing or visual acquisition purposes

#### Hotel fox

    High frequency (HF) radio.

#### House party

    Informative/directive call that a civilian building is booby trapped or rigged with an IED, and needs to be evacuated.

#### Husky

    (Naval) Air intercept missile (AIM)-120 supported to HPRF active range; same meaning as USAF cheapshot.

### I
#### ID (pronounced eye dee)

* Directive to identify the target.
* Identification accomplished, followed by type.

#### In (direction)

    Informative call indicating a turn to a hot aspect relative to a threat/target.

#### India

    Mode IV.

#### Indians

    Ships of an ASUW Surface Attack Group (SAG).

#### Interrogate

    Interrogate the designated contact of the IFF mode indicated.

### J
#### Jackal

    Surveillance network participating group 7 (NPG 7) of Link 16 TADIL (tactical information link).

#### Joker

    Fuel state above BINGO at which separation/bugout/event termination should begin.

#### Judy

    Aircrew has radar/visual contact on the correct target, has taken control of the intercept, and only requires situation awareness information. Controller will minimize radio transmissions.

### K
#### KIA

    Killed in action.

#### Kill

* Clearance to fire.
* In training, a fighter call to indicate kill criteria have been fulfilled.

#### Knock it off

    Directive to cease air combat maneuvers/attacks/activities.

#### Kraken

    Release of long-range anti-ship missile (LRASM)

### L
#### Ladder

    Three or more groups/contacts in range.

#### Laser on

    Directive to start laser designation.

#### Lead-trail

    Tactical formation of two contacts within a group separated in range or following one another.

#### Leaker(s)

    Airborne threat has passed through a defensive layer. Call should include amplifying information.

#### Line abreast

    Two contacts within a group side by side.

#### Lights on/off

    Directive to turn on/off exterior lights.

#### Locked

    Final radar lock-on; sort is not assumed. (BRAA/direction)

#### Lost contact

    Radar contact lost. (drop track is recommended.)

#### Lost lock

    Loss of radar/IR lock-on (advisory).

#### Low

    Target altitude below 10,000 ft (3,000 m) above ground level (AGL).

### M
#### Maddog

    Launch of friendly active radar homing air-to-air missile, such as the AIM-120, without radar guidance from the launch aircraft. The missile will rely on its own radar to find a target and will generally track the first target it sees.

#### Magnum

    Launch of friendly anti-radiation missile (such as AGM-88 HARM, ALARM).

#### Mapping

    Multifunction radar in an Air/Ground mode.

#### Marking

    Friendly aircraft leaving contrails.

#### Marmon

    5" (127 mm) gun.

#### Marshal/Marshalling

    Establish/established at a specific point.

#### Medium

    Target altitude between 10,000 feet (3,000 m) Above Ground Level (AGL) and 25,000 feet (7,600 m) above Mean Sea Level (MSL).

#### Merge/merged

* Information that friendlies and targets have arrived in the same visual arena.
* Call indicating radar returns have come together.

#### Mickey

    HAVE QUICK radio time-of-day (TOD) signal

#### Midnight

    Informative call advising that command and control (C2) functions are no longer available; opposite of "Sunrise".

#### Monitor

    Maintain radar awareness on or assume responsibility for specified group.

#### Mother

    Parent ship.

#### Mud

    Radar warning receiver (RWR) indication of ground threat. Add clock position/azimuth and radar type, if known.

#### Music

    Electronic radar jamming and deception.

### N
#### Nails

    Radar warning receiver (RWR) indication of an AI radar in search mode. Add clock position/azimuth and radar type, if known.

#### Naked

    No radar warning receiver (RWR) indications.

#### New picture

    Used by controller or aircrew when tactical picture has changed. Supersedes all previous calls.

#### No factor

    Not a threat.

#### No joy

    Aircrew does not have visual contact with the target, bandit or landmark; opposite of Tally.

#### Notch

    All-aspect missile defensive maneuver to place threat radar/missile on the beam (directly perpendicular). Modern pulse-doppler radars remove ground clutter by filtering out returns from stationary objects; putting the threat on the beam permits the defending aircraft to be confused with ground returns and hence disappear from the threat radar. As missiles guide by creating a direct intercept course, this is also used to reduce the missile's speed and thus its ability to maneuver if radar lock is maintained. Can also be used in the context of submarine warfare as a maneuverer to leave the sonar detection cone of an incoming torpedo before it closes the distance required to detect and lock onto the notching vessel.

### O
#### Off (direction)

    Informative call indicating attack is terminated and maneuvering to the indicated direction.

#### Offset

    Informative call indicating maneuver in a specified direction with reference to (direction) the target.

#### On station

    Informative call unit/aircraft has reached assigned station.

#### Opening

    Increasing in range.

#### Oranges

    Weather.

#### Out (direction)

    Informative call indicating a turn to a cold aspect relative to the threat; opposite of in.

#### Outlaw

    Informative call that a bogey has met point of origin criteria.

### P
#### Package

    Geographically isolated collection of groups/contacts/formations.

#### Padlocked

    Informative call indicating aircrew cannot take eyes off an aircraft or a surface position without risk of losing tally/visual.

#### Paint(s)

    Interrogated group/radar contact that is responding with any of the specified IFF modes and correct codes established for the id criteria.

#### Panther

    Enemy nuclear powered attack submarine.

#### Parrot

    IFF transponder.

#### Paveway

    Release of laser-guided bomb or bombs

#### Picture

    The provided aerial tactical situation status pertinent to mission. Generally by an AWACS.

#### Pig

    Friendly glide weapon (e.g. AGM-154 JSOW). Wordplay on JSOW (pronounced "J-SOW"; a sow is a female pig).

#### Pigeons

    Magnetic bearing and range to homeplate (or specified destination). (Location)

#### Pince/pincer

    Threat maneuvering for a bracket attack.

#### Pitbull

    Informative call that an active radar-guided missile (such as AIM-120, AIM-54, Meteor) is at active range and no longer requires radar input from launch aircraft.

#### Playmate

    Cooperating aircraft.

#### Playtime

    Amount of time aircraft can remain on station.

#### (freq) Pogo (freq)

    Switch to communication channel number preceding POGO. If unable to establish communications, switch to channel number following POGO. If no channel number follows POGO, return to this channel.

#### Pop

    Starting climb for air-to-surface attack.

#### Popeye

    Flying in clouds or area of reduced visibility.

#### Popup

    1. Informative call of a contact that has suddenly appeared inside of meld/CCR/briefed range. 2. Criteria used as a self-defense method, within the ROE, to protect friendly air defense elements from hostile aircraft.

#### Posit

    Request for position; response in terms of a geographic landmark, or off a common reference point.

#### Post attack

    Directive transmission to indicate desired direction after completion of (Direction) intercept/engagement.

#### Post hole

    Rapid descending spiral.

#### Press

    Directive to continue the attack; mutual support will be maintained. Supportive role will be assumed.

#### Print (type)

    Unambiguous Non-Cooperative Target Recognition (NCTR) reply.

#### Privateer

    Enemy patrol boat.

#### PROBSUB

    Contact with strong cumulative evidence of being a submarine.

#### Pull chocks

    Depart. Get ready to depart. (Refers to pulling concrete blocks from aircraft wheels to allow take-off)

#### Pump

    A briefed maneuver to low aspect (where aspect refers to target position—regardless of distance—relative to the friendly aircraft's nose; "high aspect" would be on an azimuth in front of the friendly, while "low aspect" would indicate position along an azimuth behind the friendly) to stop closure on the threat or geographical boundary, with the intent to re-engage.

#### Pure

    Informative call indicating pure pursuit is being used or directive to go pure pursuit.

#### Push (channel)

    Go to designated frequency. No acknowledgment required.

#### Pushing

    Departing designated point.

#### Pushing

    Informative call that said group(s) have turned cold and will continue to be (group description) monitored.

### R
#### Range

    Two or more groups separated primarily in distance along the same bearing.

#### Raygun

    Indicates a radar lock-on to unknown aircraft; a request for a buddy spike (position/heading/altitude) reply from friendly aircraft meeting these parameters (to prevent friendly fire).

#### Reference

    Directive to assume stated heading. (Direction)

#### Repeat

    Used in surface-surface operations to fire again using the same method of fire (during adjustment) or to fire the same number of rounds using the same method of fire (during fire for effect). This is not used to request that the last message be retransmitted (for this, use say again).

#### Reported

    Identification of an object or a contact by an intelligence system. (Type)

#### Request tasking

    requesting an objective (or heading) from ground control or from AWACS towards an area of operation.

#### Reset

    Proceed to a pre-briefed position or area of operation.

#### Resume

    Resume last formation/station/mission ordered.

#### Retrograde

    Directive to withdraw from present position or area of operation in response to a threat.

#### Rider

    A bogey that is conforming with safe passage routing/airspeed/altitude procedures.

#### Rifle

    Friendly air-to-ground missile launch.

#### Ringer

    ASW Mortar.

#### Ripple

    Two or more munitions released or fired in close succession.

#### Riser

    Suddenly appearing radar contact.

#### River City

    Implement immediate communications blackout until further notice.

#### Roger

    Radio transmission received; does not indicate compliance or reaction.

#### Rolex (±time)

    Time-line adjustment in minutes from planned mission execution time. (Positive is later).

#### Roman Candle

    Nuclear tipped surface to air missile.

#### Rope

    Illumination of an aircraft with an IR pointer.

### S
#### Saddled

    Informative call from wingman/element indicating the return to briefed formation position.

#### SAM (direction)

    Visual acquisition of a SAM (surface-air missile) or SAM launch; should include position.

#### Sandwiched

    A situation where an aircraft/element is positioned between opposing aircraft/elements.

#### Saunter

    Fly at best endurance.

#### Scram

    Emergency directive to egress for defensive or survival reasons. (Direction)

#### Scramble

    Takeoff as quickly as possible.

#### Scud

    Any tactical ballistic missile (TBM). Previously used to refer to the soviet tactical ballistic missile. (see Scud)

#### Separate

    Leave a specific engagement; may or may not re-enter.

#### Shackle

    One weave, a single crossing of flight paths; maneuver to adjust/regain formation parameters.

#### Shadow

    Follow indicated target.

#### Shift

    Directive to shift laser illumination.

#### Shooter

    Aircraft/unit designated to employ ordnance.

#### Shotgun

    Pre-briefed weapons state at which separation/bugout should begin.

#### Skate

    Informative call/directive to execute launch and leave tactics.

#### Skip it

    Veto of fighter commit, usually followed with further directions.

#### Skosh

    Aircraft is out of or unable to employ active radar missiles.

#### Skunk

    A radar or visual maritime surface contact whose identity is unknown.

#### Slapshot

    Directive for an aircraft to employ a range-unknown high-speed anti-radiation (type/bearing) missile (HARM) against a specified threat at the specified bearing.

#### Slide

    Directive call to high-value airborne asset (HVAA) to continue present mission while extending range from target in response to perceived threat.

#### Slow

    Target with a ground speed of 300 kn (560 km/h) or less.

#### Smash

    Directive to turn on/off anti-collision lights.

#### Smoke

    Smoke marker used to mark a position.

#### Snake

    Directive to oscillate an IR pointer about a target.

#### Snap (direction)

    An immediate vector to the group described.

#### Sniper

    Directive for an aircraft to employ a range-known HARM against a specified threat at the specified location.

#### Snooze

    Directive/informative call indicating initiation of EMCON procedures.

#### Sort/sorted

* Directive to assign targeting or monitoring responsibility for multiple targets within a group; criteria can be met visually, electronically (radar), or both.
* Sort responsibility has been met.

#### Sour

* Equipment indicated is operating inefficiently.
* Invalid response to an administrative IFF check. (Opposite of sweet.)

#### Spades

    An integrated group/radar contact which lacks the ATO (or equivalent) IFF modes and codes required for the ID criteria.

#### Sparkle

    Target marking by IR pointer; target marking by gunship or forward air controller (airborne) (FAC-A) using incendiary rounds.

#### Spike

    Radar warning receiver (RWR) indication of an AI radar in track, launch, or unknown mode. Add clock position/azimuth and radar type, if known.

#### Spin

    Directive/informative call to execute a pre-briefed timing/spacing maneuver.

#### Spitter

    An aircraft that has departed from the engagement or is departing the engaged (direction) fighters' targeting responsibility.

#### Splash

    A/A Target destroyed, or A/S weapons impact.

#### Split

    An informative call that a flight member is leaving formation to engage a threat; visual may not be maintained.

#### Spoofing

    Informative call that voice deception is being employed.

#### Spot

    Acquisition of laser designation.

#### Squawk (number/code)

    Operate IFF as indicated or IFF is operating as indicated.

#### Squawk flash

    Use the flash feature on the IFF which cause the transponder signal to highlight on radar display. Hence the term means to announce your location.

#### Squawking

    An informative call denoting a bogey is responding with an IFF mode (#).

#### Stack

    Two or more groups/contacts/formations with a high/low altitude separation in relation to each other.

#### Status

    Request for tactical situation.

#### Steady

    Directive to stop oscillation (wavering) of IR pointer.

#### Steer

    Set magnetic compass heading indicated.

#### Stern

    Request for, or directive to, intercept using stern geometry.

#### Stinger

    Within a group, a formation of three or more aircraft with a single aircraft in trail.

#### Stop

    Stop IR illumination of a target.

#### Stranger

    Unidentified traffic that is not associated with the action in progress.

#### Strangle

    Turn off equipment indicated.

#### Strip

    Individual fighter/section is leaving the formation to pursue separate attacks.

#### Stripped

    Informative call from wingman/element indicating out of briefed formation/position.

#### Strobe

    Radar indications of noise jamming.

#### Sunshine

    Directive or informative call indicating illumination of target is being conducted with artificial illumination.

#### Sunrise

    Informative call that C2 functions (Command & Control) are available. (opposite of midnight).

#### Sweet

* Equipment indicated is operating efficiently.
* Valid response to an administrative IFF check. (Opposite of sour.)

#### Switch/switched

    Indicates an attacker is changing from one aircraft to another.

### T
#### Tactical

    Request/directive to switch to tactical control.

#### Tag

    (system Known identification of a specific (system) at the stated location; may be used w/position) with IDM data message, (for example, tag data).

#### Tally

    Sighting of a target, bandit, bogey, or enemy position; opposite of no joy.

#### Target

    Directive to assign group responsibility to aircraft in a flight.

#### Targeted

    Group responsibility has been met.

#### Ten seconds

    Directive to terminal controller to stand by for laser on call in approximately 10 seconds.

#### Terminate

* Stop laser illumination of a target.
* Cease local engagement without affecting the overall exercise.

#### Threat

    Untargeted hostile/bandit/bogey within pre-briefed range/aspect of a (direction) friendly.

#### Throttles

    Reduction in power to decrease IR signature.

#### Tied

    Positive radar contact with element/aircraft.

#### Tiger

    Enough fuel and ordnance to accept a commit.

#### Timber

    Air control network participating group (NPG) of tactical digital information links (Link 16/TADIL J).

#### Track

    Any detected point of contact visible on a radar or sonar display console, each identified by a unique number.

#### Tracking

* Fire control system has solid lock on target (aka a "stabilized gun solution").
* Continuous illumination of a target.
* Contact heading.

#### Trailer

    The last aircraft within a group(s).

#### Trashed

    Informative call that missile has been defeated.

#### Trespass

    The addressed flight is entering a surface/air threat ring of a specific system at the stated (position) location.

#### Tucker

    76mm gun.

#### Tumbleweed

    Indicates limited situational awareness; no joy, blind; a request for information.

#### Turret

    indicates launch of an air-to-surface missile.

### U
#### Unable

    Cannot comply as requested/directed.

#### Uniform

    Ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio.

### V
#### Vampire

    Hostile anti-ship missile (ASM).

#### Vanished

    Special case of faded wherein contact is not in a known sensor blind zone and is correlated to a shot by friendly forces.

#### Very high

    Above 40,000 ft (12,000 m) MSL.

#### Vic

    Three groups, contacts, or formations with the single closest in range and two contacts, azimuth split, in trail.

#### Victor

    VHF/amplitude modulation (AM) radio.

#### Visual

    Sighting of a friendly aircraft/ground position; opposite of blind.

### W
#### Wall

    Three or more groups or contacts primarily split in azimuth.

#### Warning (color)

    Hostile attack is
       RED imminent or in progress.
       YELLOW probable.
       WHITE improbable (all clear).

#### Weapons (followed by appropriate modifier below)

    Fire only;
       FREE at targets not identified as friendly in accordance with current rules of engagement (ROE).
       TIGHT at targets positively identified as hostile in accordance with current ROE.
       HOLD* (USA, USMC) in self-defense or in response to a formal order.
       SAFE (USN) NOTE: USN and NATO use weapons safe to avoid confusion with the phrase hold fire.

#### Weeds

    Indicates that fixed-wing aircraft are operating below 2,000 ft (610 m) above ground level.

#### What luck

    Request for results of missions or tasks.

#### What state

    Report amount of fuel and missiles remaining. Ammunition and oxygen are reported only when specifically requested or critical.
       Active = number of active radar missiles remaining.
       Radar = number of semi-active radar missiles remaining.
       Heat = number of IR missiles remaining.
       Fuel = pounds of fuel or time remaining.

#### Wilco

    Will comply

#### Winchester

    No ordnance remaining, can be used to refer to specific types ordnance or all ordnance.

#### Woodpecker

    Close in weapons system (CIWS).

#### Words

    Directive or interrogative regarding further information or directives pertinent to mission.

#### Working

* A suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) aircraft is gathering electronic order of battle (EOB) (which emitter controls the operations of other emitters) on a designated emitter; generally followed by signal type, (SAM/AAA/group) bearing, and range, if able.
* Aircraft executing electronic identification (EID) on a specific aircraft/group to obtain identification necessary for beyond visual range (BVR) employment.

### Y
#### Yardstick

    Directive to use air-to-air tactical air navigation (A/A TACAN) for ranging.