vUSAF and Joint Operational Brevity Words

ABORT	—Directive call to cease action, attack, event, or mission.
ACTION	—Directive call to initiate a briefed attack sequence or maneuver.
ACTIVE	(system) ACTIVE (location/direction) —Referenced emitter is radiating at the stated location or along the stated bearing.
ADD	(system/category) —Directive call to add a specific system or electronic order of battle (EOB) category to search responsibilities.
AJAX	—Landing zone/pick up zone is clear of threats.
ALARM	—Directive or informative call indicating the termination of EMCON procedures.
ALLIGATOR	—LINK-11/ TADIL-A.
ALPHA CHECK	—Request for confirmation of bearing and range from ownship to described point.
ANCHORED	ANCHORED (w/location) —Informative call to indicate a turning engagement at the specified location.
ANCHOR	—Orbit about a specific point; refueling track flown by tanker.
ANGELS	—Height of friendly aircraft in thousands of feet mean sea level (MSL).
ARIZONA	—No ARM ordnance remaining.
ARM	—Element resulting from target maneuvers exceeding GROUP criteria.
ARM/ARMED (SAFE/HOT)	—Select armament (safe/hot) or armament is safe/hot.
AS FRAGGED	—Unit or element will be performing exactly as stated by the air tasking order (ATO).
ATTACKING	—Indicates air-to-surface (A/S) attack on a specific ground target.
AUTHENTICATE	—To request or provide a response to a coded challenge.
AUTOCAT	—Any communications relay using automatic retransmissions.
AWAY	(weapon) AWAY —Release/launch of specified weapon.
AZIMUTH	AZIMUTH—A picture label describing two groups separated laterally.
BANDIT	—An aircraft identified as an enemy IAW theater identification criteria. The term does not necessarily imply direction or authority to engage.
BANZAI	—Informative or directive call to execute launch-and-decide tactics.
BASE	—Reference number used to indicate such information as headings, altitudes, and fuels.
BEAD WINDOW	—Last transmission potentially disclosed unauthorized information.
BEAM	BEAM (w/cardinal direction) —Target stabilized within 70 to 110 degrees of aspect; generally given in cardinal directions: east, west, north, and south.
BEARING	BEARING (w/cardinal direction) —Inner group formation with the trailer displaced approximately 45 degrees behind the leader.
BENT	(system) BENT —System indicated is inoperative
BINGO	—Fuel state needed for recovery.
BIRD	—Friendly surface-to-air missile (SAM).
BIRD(S) AFFIRM	—Surface-to-air 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	—Surface-to-air informative call indicating friendly SAM has been fired at designated target.
BIRD(S) NEGATE	—Surface-to-air 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 (fratricide) situation relative to a designated track or friendly.
BLIND	—No visual contact with friendly aircraft/ground position; opposite of VISUAL.
BLOW THROUGH	—Directive or informative call that indicates aircraft will continue straight ahead at the merge and not become anchored with target/targets.
BOGEY	—A radar or visual air contact whose identity is unknown.
BOGEY DOPE	—Request for target information as requested or closest group in BRAA (with appropriate fill-ins).
BOOMERANG	—Aircraft or flight is returning to base.
BOX	—A picture label describing four distinct groups with two in front and two behind in a square or offset square orientation.
BRAA	—Tactical control format providing target bearing, range, altitude, and aspect, relative to a friendly aircraft. Aspect is only required if other than HOT.
BRACKET	BRACKET (w/direction) —Directive call to maneuver to a position on opposing sides, either laterally or vertically from the targets.
BREAK	BREAK (w/direction) —Directive call to perform an immediate maximum performance 180-degree turn (or as directed) in the indicated direction. Assumes a defensive situation requiring infrared missile defense (IRMD).
BREAK AWAY	—Tanker or receiver 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 or directive call to switch to broadcast control.
BROKE LOCK	— Advisory call regarding loss of radar/IR lock-on.
BRUISER	—Friendly air launched antiship missile.
BUDDY LOCK	—Locked to a known friendly aircraft. Normally a response to a SPIKE or BUDDY SPIKE call.
BUDDY SPIKE	BUDDY SPIKE (position/altitude/heading) —Friendly aircraft air-to-air (A/A) radar track indication on radar warning receiver (RWR).
BUGOUT	BUGOUT (w/direction) —Separation from that particular engagement/attack/operation; no intent to reengage/return.
BULL DOG	—Friendly surface/submarine launched antiship missile.
BULLSEYE	—An established reference point from which the position of an object can be referenced.
BURN	—Informative call that gated laser illuminator (GLINT) is being used to provide illumination. Typically employed by AC-130 to illuminate surface points of interest.
BUSTER	—Directive call to fly at max continuous speed (Mil power).
BUZZER	—Electronic communications jamming.
CANDYGRAM	—Informative call to aircraft that electronic warfare (EW) targeting information is available on a pre-briefed secure net.
CAP	CAP (location) —Directive call to establish a combat air patrol at a specified point.
CAPPING	CAPPING (location) —Descriptive term for aircraft in a CAP.
CAPTURED	—Aircrew has acquired and is able to track a specified air-to-ground (A/G) target with an on-board sensor.
CEASE ENGAGEMENT	—In air defense, break the engagement on the target specified. Missiles in flight will continue to intercept.
CEASE FIRE	—Discontinue firing/do not open fire. Complete intercept if weapons are in flight. Continue to track.
CEASE LASER	—Aircraft-to-aircraft directive to stop firing laser. Opposite of LASER ON.
CHAMPAGNE	—A picture label describing three distinct groups with two in front and one behind.
CHATTERMARK	—Begin using briefed radio procedures to counter communications jamming.
CHEAP SHOT	—AIM-120 missile data link terminated between high pulse repetition frequency (HPRF) and medium pulse repetition frequency (MPRF).
CHECK	CHECK (number, left/right) —Turn (number) degrees left or right and maintain new heading.
CHECK TIDS/TAD	—Directive call to reference data link display.
CHERUBS	—Altitude of friendly aircraft in hundreds of feet above ground level (AGL).
CHICKS	—Friendly aircraft.
CLEAN	—1. No sensor information on non-friendly aircraft of interest. 2. No visible battle damage. 3. Aircraft not carrying external stores.
CLEARED	—Flight lead response. Requested action is authorized. Mutual support may be detached to fulfill briefed contracts (e.g., split criteria, shot doctrine). Wingmen will ensure deconfliction from flight lead.
CLEARED HOT	—Ordnance release is authorized
CLOAK	—Directive/informative call to switch from normal/overt external lighting to covert night vision device (NVD) only compatible lighting.
CLOSING	—Decreasing in separation.
COLD	—1. A descriptive/directive call to initiate a turn in the CAP away from the anticipated threats. 2. Groups heading away from friendly aircraft. 3. Attack geometry will result in a pass or roll out behind the target. 4. Defined area is not expected to receive fire (enemy or friendly).
COLOR	COLOR (system, w/position) —Request for information on a (type) system at stated location; implies a request for ambiguity resolution. May be used with improved data modem (IDM) data message—COLOR DATA.
COMEBACK	COMEBACK (w/direction) —Directive call to reverse course.
COMEOFF	COMEOFF (w/direction) —1. (Air-to-Air) Directive call to maneuver as indicated to either regain mutual support or to deconflict flight paths. Implies both VISUAL and TALLY. 2. (Air-to-Ground) Directive call to maneuver or execute a specific instruction (e.g., COMEOFF DRY).
COMMIT	—Directive call to intercept a group of interest.
COMPOSITION	—Request for number of contacts within a group.
CONFETTI	—Chaff lane or corridor.
CONS/CONNING	—Threat/bogey aircraft leaving contrails.
CONTACT	—1. Sensor contact at the stated position. 2. Acknowledges sighting of a specified reference point. 3. Individual radar return within a group or arm.
CONTAINER	—Inner group formation with four contacts oriented in a square or offset square.
CONTINUE	—Continue present maneuver; does not imply a change in clearance to engage or expend ordnance.
CONTINUE DRY	—Ordnance release not authorized.
COVER	—Directive/informative call to assume a supporting position that will allow engagement of a specified track or threat to the flight if required.
CRANK	CRANK (w/direction) —F-Pole maneuver; implies illuminating target at radar gimbal limits.
CUTOFF	—Request for, or directive to, intercept using cutoff geometry.
CYCLOPS	—Any unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
DASH	DASH (#) —Aircraft position within a flight. Use if specific call sign is unknown.
DATA	DATA (object, w/position) —Standby for data link message concerning object at stated location.
DEADEYE	—Informative call by an airborne laser designator indicating the laser/IR system is inoperative.
DECLARE	—Inquiry as to the identification of specified tracks, targets, or correlated group.
DEEP	—Descriptive term used to indicate separation between the nearest and farthest groups in range in a relative formation; used to describe a LADDER, VIC, CHAMPAGNE, or BOX.
DEFENSIVE	—Speaker is under attack, is maneuvering defensively, and is unable to ensure deconfliction or mutual support.
DEFENDING	w/direction)—Aircraft is in a defensive position and maneuvering with reference to a surface-to-air threat.
DELOUSE	—Directive call to detect, identify, and engage (if required) unknown aircraft trailing friendly aircraft.
DEPLOY	—Directive call for the flight to maneuver to briefed positioning.
DETAILS	—Request for modified J-FIRE 9-Line Brief from Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS).
DIVERT	—Proceed to alternate mission/base.
DOLLY	—LINK-4A/TADIL-C.
DRAG	DRAG (w/cardinal direction) —Target stabilized at 0 to 60 degrees angle from tail or 120- to 180-degree angle from nose.
DROP	—1. Directive/informative call to stop monitoring a specific emitter/target and resume search responsibility. 2. Remove the emitter/target from the tactical picture/track stores. 3. Directive call to remove a specific system or EOB category from search responsibilities.
DROP KICK	—Informative to the flight that an intentional deviation from any briefed action is being made.
DROPPING	—Informative call that a fighter has discontinued targeting responsibility.
DUCK	—Air launched decoy (e.g., TALD/MALD).
ECHELON	ECHELON (w/cardinal direction) —A fill-in describing a RANGE or AZIMUTH presentation, with one group displaced behind and to the side of the other group.
ECHO	—Positive SEESAW/System M/Mode X reply.
EMPTY	—No emitters of interest detected.
ENGAGED	—Informative call used to establish engaged and support roles in the visual arena.
ESTIMATE	—Provide estimate of the size, range, height, or other parameters of a specified contact; implies degradation.
EXTEND	EXTEND (w/direction) —Short-term maneuver to gain energy, distance, or separation normally with the intent of reengaging.
EYEBALL	—1. Electro-optical (EO)/IR/night vision device (NVD) acquisition of an aircraft normally followed by number of aircraft observed. 2. Fighter with primary visual identification responsibility.
FADED	—Radar contact (temporally) is lost on a non-friendly aircraft/surface contact and any positional information given is estimated.
FAST	—Target speed is estimated to be 600 to 900 knots ground speed/Mach 1 to 1.5.
FATHER	—Shipboard tactical air navigation (TACAN) station.
FEET WET/DRY	—Flying over water/land.
FENCE (IN/OUT)	—Set cockpit switches as appropriate prior to entering/exiting the combat area.
FLANK	FLANK (w/cardinal direction) —Contact aspect stabilized at 120- to 150-degree angle from the tail or 30- to 60-degree angle from nose.
FLASH	FLASH (system) —Temporarily activate specified system for identification purposes (e.g., IFF, afterburner, flare, or chaff).
FLASHLIGHT	—Directive term for helicopter to turn on IR floodlight (pointed at ground to aid in visual acquisition by escort aircraft).
FLOAT	—Directive or informative call to expand the formation laterally within visual limits to maintain radar contact or prepare for a defensive response.
FLOW	—Directive call to fly stated heading.
FOX	—A/A weapons employment.
FOX ONE	—Simulated or actual launch of semiactive radar-guided missile.
FOX MIKE	—VHF/FM radio.
FOX TWO	—Simulated or actual launch of IR-guided missile.
FOX 3/SECOND FOX 3	—Simulated or actual launch of active radar-guided missiles on the same target.
FOX 3 CLOSE/MEDIUM/LONG	—See Shot/Kill Communications Brevity.
FOX 3 (X) SHIP	FOX 3 (X) SHIP (formation description) —Valid missile shot against (x) separate targets (assumes 1 missile per target).
FRIENDLY	—A positively identified friendly aircraft or ground position.
FURBALL	—Response to a DECLARE request indicating known bandits and friendlies in close proximity.
GADGET	—Radar or emitter equipment.
GATE	—Directive/informative call to fly as quickly as possible, using afterburner/max power.
GENIE	—Emitter is employing electronic protection measures.
GIMBAL	GIMBAL (w/BRAA) —Call indicating radar target is approaching azimuth or elevation limits, speaker is approaching formation limits, and SPLIT criteria are not met. Implies a request to flight lead to modify intercept geometry, or direct PRESS/SPLIT/DROP.
GO ACTIVE	—Go to briefed HAVE QUICK net.
GO CLEAR	—Use unencrypted voice communications.
GOPHER	—A bogey that has not conformed to safe passage routing, airspeed, or altitude procedures. Will only be used when safe passage or minimum risk routing procedures are part of an ID matrix.
GO SECURE	—Use encrypted voice communications.
GOGGLE/DEGOGGLE	—Directive call to put on/take off NVDs.
GOGGLES ON/GOGGLES OFF	—Informative call that NVDs are on/off.
GORILLA	—Large force of indeterminable numbers and formation.
GRAND SLAM	—All hostile aircraft of a designated track (or against which a mission was tasked) are shot down.
GREEN	GREEN (w/cardinal direction) —Direction determined to be clearest of enemy A/A activity.
GREYHOUND	—Friendly ground attack cruise missile.
GROUP	—Aircraft within 3 NM in azimuth or range.
GUNS	—An air-to-air or air-to-surface gunshot.
HANDSHAKE	—Link-16 air control NPG initiation between air control unit and controlled aircraft.
HARD	HARD (w/direction) —High-G, energy sustaining 180-degree turn (or as directed) in the indicated direction.
HEADS UP	—Alert of an activity of interest.
HEAVY	—A group or package known to contain three or more entities.
HIGH	—Target is between 25,000 and 40,000 feet MSL.
HITS	HITS—1. (Air-to-Air) Momentary radar returns in search. 2. Indicates approximate target altitude (e.g., "GROUP BULLSEYE 360/10, HITS 15 THOUSAND"). 3. (Air-to-Ground) Weapons impact within lethal distance.
HOLD DOWN	—Directive call to key transmitter for direction finder (DF) steer.
HOLD FIRE	—An emergency fire control order to stop firing on a designated target to include destruction of any missiles in flight.
HOLDING HANDS	—Aircraft in visual formation.
HOLLOW	—Data link message not received.
HOMEPLATE	—Home airfield or carrier.
HOOK	HOOK (w/direction) —Directive call to perform an in-place 180-degree turn.
HOSTILE	—A contact identified as an enemy upon which clearance to fire is authorized IAW the theater rules of engagement (ROE).
HOT	—1. A descriptive/directive call to initiate a turn in the CAP toward the anticipated threats. 2. Groups heading towards friendly aircraft. Opposite of COLD. 3. Ordnance employment intended or completed. 4. Defined area is expected to receive fire (enemy or friendly). 5. Contact aspect stabilized at 160- to 180-degree angle from tail or 0- to 20-degree angle from nose. 6. Intercept geometry will result in passing in front of the target.
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.
HOTEL FOX	—HF radio.
HUSKY	—Informative call that the AIM-120 is at HPRF active range.
ID	—Directive call to identify the target; also aircrew identification accomplished, followed by type aircraft or "FRIENDLY/HOSTILE."
IDLE	—Joint STARS call indicating surface vehicles are stationary.
IN	—1. Informative call indicating a turn toward a known threat. Implies a request for information. 2. Entering terminal phase of an air-to-ground attack. Opposite of OFF.
IN PLACE	IN PLACE (w/direction) —Perform indicated maneuver simultaneously.
INDIA	—Mode 4.
INTERROGATE	—Interrogate the designated contact of the identification, friend or foe (IFF)/selective identification feature (SIF) mode indicated.
JACKAL	—Surveillance network participating group (NPG) of LINK-16/TADIL-J.
JINK	—Directive call to perform an unpredictable maneuver to negate a gun tracking solution.
JOKER	—Fuel state above BINGO at which separation/bugout/event termination should begin.
JUDY	—Aircrew has radar or visual contact on the correct target, has taken control of the intercept, and requires only situation awareness (SA) information; weapon director (WD) will minimize radio transmissions.
KILL	—1. Directive call to fire on designated target. 2. n training, a fighter call to indicate kill criteria have been fulfilled.
KNOCK-IT-OFF	—Directive call to cease air combat maneuvers/attacks/activities.
LADDER	—A picture label describing three or more groups separated in range from a god's eye view.
LASER ON	—Directive call to start laser designation.
LASING	—Informative call indicating that the speaker is firing the laser.
LAST	—Command and control (C2) term that provides the last contact altitude from a high fidelity source (fighter radar).
LOWDOWN	—A request to provide tactical ground information pertinent to the mission in a digital bullseye format.
LEAD-TRAIL	—Inner-group formation of two or more contacts separated in range.
LEAKERS	—Airborne threat has passed through a defensive layer. Call should include amplifying information.
LEAN	LEAN (direction) —Directive/informative call to maneuver in a direction to avoid the threat.
LIGHTS ON/OFF	—Directive to turn on/off exterior lights.
LIGHTBULB	—Directive call for flight to turn all position lights to bright.
LINE ABREAST	—Inner group formation of two or more contacts separated in azimuth.
LOCKED	—1. (w/position)—Radar lock-on; correct targeting is not assumed. 2. (w/group name)—Radar lock-on; sort is not assumed.
LOW	—Target altitude is below 10,000 feet MSL.
MADDOG	—Visual AIM-120 launch.
MAGNUM	MAGNUM (system/location) —Launch of friendly antiradiation missile (ARM).
MANEUVER (AZIMUTH/RANGE/ALTITUDE)	—Informative call that said group is maneuvering in azimuth, range, and/or altitude.
MAPPING	—Multi-function radar in an A/G mode.
MARK	—1. Used when aircraft passes over pick up zone (PZ)/landing zone (LZ)/team. 2. Directive term to record the location of a ground point of interest.
MARKING	—Friendly aircraft leaving contrails.
MARSHAL(ING)	—Establish(ed) at a specific point.
MEDIUM	—Target altitude between 10,000 and 25,000 feet MSL.
MERGE(D)	—Informative call that friendlies and targets have arrived in the same visual arena. Call indicating radar returns have come together.
MICKEY	—HAVE QUICK time-of-day (TOD) signal.
MIDNIGHT	—Informative call advising that C2 radar functions are unavailable due to degradation. Advisory information is still available. Opposite of SUNRISE.
MILLER TIME	—1. Informative call indicating completion of air-to-ground ordnance delivery. Generally used by the last striker in conjunction with a pre-coordinated egress plan. 2. Indicates survivors are aboard recovery vehicle (combat search and rescue [CSAR]).
MONITOR(ING)	—Maintain radar awareness on specified group.
MOTHER	—Parent ship.
MOVER(S)	—Unidentified surface vehicles in motion.
MUD	MUD (type w/direction) —Indicates radar warning receiver (RWR) ground threat displayed with no launch identification.
MUSIC	—Electronic radar jamming (on air intercept [AI] radar, electronic deception jamming).
NAILS	NAILS (w/direction) —RWR indication of AI radar in search.
NAKED	—No RWR indications.
NEAR-FAR	—Fighter term depicting a radar-apparent description of two or more contacts within a group separated in range.
NEGATIVE CONTACT	—Sensor information on a friendly aircraft is lost. (Termination of contact plotting is not warranted.)
NEW PICTURE	—Used by controller or aircrew when tactical picture has changed. Supersedes all previous calls and re-establishes picture for all players.
NO FACTOR	—Not a threat.
NO JOY	—Aircrew does not have visual contact with the target/BANDIT/BOGEY/landmark; opposite of TALLY.
NOTCH(ING)	NOTCH(ING) (w/direction) —Directive (informative) for an all-aspect missile defensive maneuver to place threat radar/missile near the beam.
OCCUPIED	—Ground equipment present at tasked target location. Opposite of VACANT.
OFF	OFF (w/direction) —Informative call indicating attack is terminated and maneuvering to the indicated direction.
OFFSET	OFFSET (w/direction) —Informative call indicating maneuver in a specified direction with reference to the target.
ON STATION	—Informative call that unit/aircraft has reached assigned station.
OPENING	—Increasing in range.

vUSAF and Joint Operational Brevity Words

ABORT

ACTION

ACTIVE

ADD

AJAX

ALARM

ALLIGATOR

ALPHA CHECK

ANCHORED

ANCHOR

ANGELS

ARIZONA

ARM

ARM/ARMED (SAFE/HOT)

AS FRAGGED

ATTACKING

AUTHENTICATE

AUTOCAT

AWAY

AZIMUTH

BANDIT

BANZAI

BASE

BEAD WINDOW

BEAM

BEARING

BENT

BINGO

BIRD

BIRD(S) AFFIRM

BIRD(S) AWAY

BIRD(S) NEGATE

BITTERSWEET

BLIND

BLOW THROUGH

BOGEY

BOGEY DOPE

BOOMERANG

BOX

BRAA

BRACKET

BREAK

BREAK AWAY

BREVITY

BROADCAST

BROKE LOCK

BRUISER

BUDDY LOCK

BUDDY SPIKE

BUGOUT

BULL DOG

BULLSEYE

BURN

BUSTER

BUZZER

CANDYGRAM

CAP

CAPPING

CAPTURED

CEASE ENGAGEMENT

CEASE FIRE

CEASE LASER

CHAMPAGNE

CHATTERMARK

CHEAP SHOT

CHECK

CHECK TIDS/TAD

CHERUBS

CHICKS

CLEAN

CLEARED

CLEARED HOT

CLOAK

CLOSING

COLD

COLOR

COMEBACK

COMEOFF

COMMIT