3(F) Sqn Operational Brevity

[Sharpe]

This information is drawn almost entirely from the F16 Flying Operations F-16 Combat Aircraft Fundamentals document. Owing to the nature of what is included within the DCS simulator and what we do in 3(F) Sqn, not all brevity codes are relevant. The ones that are used frequently will become apparent during Viper School, any infrequently used Brevity Codes will be highlighted in the SPINS of any briefing pack and/or explained during work up in further training. Please reference 'Shaky'.

ABORT Directive to cease action/attack/event/mission.
ACTION Directive to perform a prebriefed attack sequence or manoeuvre.
ALPHA CHECK Request for bearing and range to described point.
ANCHOR Orbit about a specific point; ground track flown by tanker. Information call indicates a turning engagement about a specific location.
ANGELS Height of aircraft in thousands of feet.
APEX/ALAMO Training term used to denote simulated launch of enemy, all-aspect radar missile.
ARM/ARMED (Safe/Hot) Select armament (safe/hot), or armament is safe/hot.
AS FRAGGED Fighter, FAC, mission package, or agency will be performing exactly as stated by the air tasking order.
ASPECT Request/comment regarding target aspect information.
APHID/ARCHER training term used to denote simulated launch of enemy heat seeking missiles.
ATTACK/ATTACKING ( ) Indicates air-to-surface attack on a specific ground target.
AUTHENTICATE ( ) To request or provide a response for a coded challenge.
AUTONOMOUS Aircrew is operating without benefit of GCI/AWACS control.
BANDIT (Radar/Heat/Striker) Known enemy aircraft and type ordnance capability, if known.
BASE (Number) Reference number used to indicate such information as headings, altitudes, fuels, etc.
BEAM/BEAMER (Direction) Aircraft manoeuvring stabilized within 70—110° aspect; generally given with cardinal directions; east, west, north, south.
CHECK ( ) A directive statement made to momentarily monitor (specified items/systems). No response is required if status is normal.
CHECK ( °Left/ °Right) Turn ( ) degrees left/right and maintain new heading.
CHICKEN Fuel state at which you must immediately return to base via the most direct and efficient route.
CHICKS Friendly fighter aircraft.
CHRISTMAS TREE Directive to briefly turn on exterior lights to enable visual acquisition.
CIRCLE ( ) Flight lead directed defensive manoeuvre in which the flight establishes a circular holding pattern for mutual support.
CLEAN No radar contacts.
CLEARED Requested action is authorized (no engaged/support roles are assumed).
CLEARED DRY Ordnance release not authorized.
CLEARED HOT Ordnance release is authorized.
CLOSING Bandit/bogey/target is getting closer in range.
COLD In context; attack geometry will result in a pass or roll out behind the target; or, on a leg of a CAP pointed away from the anticipated threats. Air-to-surface, dry or no ordnance attack.
COMEBACK (Left/Right) Directive to reverse course.
COME OFF (Left/Right/High/Low) A directive to manoeuvre as indicated to either regain mutual support or to deconflict flight paths for an exchange of engaged and supporting roles. Implies both "visual" and "tally."
COMMITTED/COMMIT Fighter intent to engage/intercept; weapons director continues to provide information.
CONTACT Radar/IR contact at the stated position; should be in bearing, range, altitude (BRA), bull's eye, or geographic position format.
CONTINUE Manoeuvre for attack; does not imply clearance to engage or expend ordnance.
COVER Directive to assume briefed support position and responsibilities.
CRANK (Direction) F-pole manoeuvre; implies illuminating target at radar gimbal limits.
CROSS TURN/CROSS A 180° heading reversal by a flight where aircraft turn into each other.
CUTOFF Request for, or directive to, intercept using cutoff geometry.
DEADEYE Informative call by an airborne laser designator indicating the laser is inoperative.
DEFENSIVE (Spike/Missile/SAM/Mud/AAA) Aircraft is in a defensive position and manoeuvring with reference to the stated condition. If no condition stated, manoeuvring is with respect to air-to-air threat.
DEPLOY Directive for the flight to manoeuvre to briefed positioning.
DIVERT Proceed to alternate mission/base.
DOLLY Data link equipment.
DRAG/DRAGGING (Direction) Aircraft manoeuvre to 60° or less aspect.
ECHELON (Cardinal Direction) Groups/contacts/formation with wingman displaced approximately 45° behind leader's wing line.
ELEMENT Formation of two aircraft.
ENGAGED Maneuvering with the intent of achieving a kill. If no additional information is provided (bearing, range, etc.), engaged implies visual/radar acquisition of the target.
ESTIMATE Using information available to provide required data; implies degradation.
EXTEND (Direction) Directive to gain energy and distance with the possible intent of returning.
EYEBALL Fighter with primary visual identification responsibility.
FADED Previous radar contact lost.
FAST Target speed is estimated to be 600 knots ground speed, Mach 1 or greater.
FENCE Boundary separating hostile and friendly area.
FENCE CHECK Set cockpit switches as appropriate.
FEW Two to four aircraft.
FLANK/FLANKING Target with a stable aspect of 120—150°.
FLOAT Directive/informative to expand the formation laterally within visual limits to maintain a radar contact or prepare for a defensive response.
FLUSH/FLUSHED Precautionary launch or aircraft for survival.
FOLLOW DOLLY Follow data-link commands.
FOX ONE Simulated/actual launch of semi-active radar-guided missile.
FOX TWO Simulated/actual launch of IR-guided missile.
FOX THREE Simulated/actual launch of an active radar-guided missile.
FOX MIKE VHF/FM radio.
FURBALL A turning fight involving multiple aircraft.
GADGET Fire control radar.
GIMBALS (Direction) Radar target is approaching azimuth or elevation limits.
GO ACTIVE Go to briefed Have Quick net.
GO SECURE Directive to activate secure voice communications.
GORILLA Large force of indeterminable numbers and formation.
GREEN (Direction) Direction determined to be clearest of enemy air-to-air activity.
GROUP Radar target(s) within approximately 3 NM of each other.
GUN (Direction) Visual acquisition of gunfire, AAA site, or AAA fire.
GUNS An air-to-surface gunshot.
HARD (Direction) High G energy sustaining turn.
HEAD Target with an aspect of 160-180°.
HEADS DOWN Call to inform aircrew that leader/wingman is head down in the cockpit and leader/wingman is responsible for clearing.
HEADS UP (Direction/Altitude) Enemy/bogey got through; no kill.
HIGH Target between 25,000 MSL and 40,000 MSL.
HIT Radar return in search (air-to-air). Weapons impact within lethal distance (air-to-ground).
HOLD DOWN Directive to key transmitter for DF steer.
HOLDING HANDS Aircraft in visual formation.
HOME PLATE Home airfield.
HOOK (Left/Right) Directive to perform an in-place 180° turn.
HOT In context; attack geometry will result in roll out in front of the target; or on a leg of the CAP pointing toward the anticipated threats (air-to-air). Ordnance employment authorized, expected, or completed (air-to-ground).
HOTEL FOX HF radio.
ID Directive to intercept and identify the target; also aircrew ID accomplished, followed by type aircraft.
IN PLACE (Left/Right) Perform indicated manoeuvre simultaneously.
JINK Unpredictable manoeuvres to negate a tracking solution.
JOKER Fuel state above bingo at which separation/bugout should begin.
JUDY Aircrew has radar/visual contact on the correct target, has taken control of the intercept, and only requires situation awareness information; weapons director will minimize radio transmissions.
JUDY ANGLE Aircrew is taking control of intercept in azimuth only; weapons director continues to provide range information.
KILL Directive to commit on target with clearance to fire; in training, a fighter call to indicate kill criteria have been fulfilled.
LADDER Three or more groups/contacts/formations/aircraft side-by-side.
LINE ABREAST Two groups/contacts/formations/aircraft side-by-side.
LOCKED (BRA/Direction) Final radar lock-on; sort is not assumed.
LOW Target altitude below 5,000 feet AGL.
MAGNUM Launch of AGM-88 HARM by Wild Weasel.
MANY Five or more aircraft.
MARKING Leaving contrails or otherwise marking aircraft position.
MEDIUM Target altitude between 5,000 feet AGL and 25,000 feet AGL.
MERGED Informative 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 Initiate advisory control (due to loss of GCI-type radar).
MIL Directive to select military power.
MUD (Direction) Indicates RWR ground threat displayed; followed normally by clock position.
MUSIC Electronic radar jamming. On AI radar, electronic deceptive jamming.
NAKED No RWR indications.
NO JOY Aircrew does not have visual contact with the target/bandit; opposite of "TALLY."
NOTCH (Direction) All-aspect missile defensive manoeuvre to place threat radar/missile near the beam.
OFF (Direction) Informative that attack is being ceased and repositioning in the indicated direction.
OFFSET (Left/Right) Informative call indicating manoeuvre in a specific direction with reference to the target.
PACKAGE Geographically isolated collection of groups/contacts/formations.
PADLOCKED Informative that aircrew cannot take eyes off another aircraft/ground target without losing tally.
PAINT Friendly AAI/APX interrogation return.
PARROT IFF transponder.
PICTURE Situation briefing which includes real-time information pertinent to a specific mission.
PIGEONS (Location) Magnetic bearing and range to a specified point.
PITCHBACK (Left/Right) A call for fighter/flight to execute a nose-high heading reversal to reposition as stated.
PLAYTIME Amount of time which aircraft can remain on station.
POINT Directive for an element to turn towards each other either as a defensive response or to re-establish a mutually supportive formation.
POP Starting climb for an air-to-surface attack.
POPEYE Flying in clouds or area of reduced visibility.
POSIT Request for position; response normally in terms of a geographic landmark, or off a common reference point.
POST ATTACK (Direction) Weapons director's transmission to indicate desired direction after completion of the intercept/engagement.
POST HOLE Rapid descending spiral.
POWER Reminder to set the throttles appropriately considering the IR threat and desired energy state.
PRESS Directive to continue the attack; mutual support will be maintained. Appropriate engaged and supporting roles will be assumed.
PUMP Directive to perform a prebriefed sequential manoeuvre to stop relative forward motion while maintaining situation awareness on the threat.
PURE Call indicating pure pursuit is being used or directive call to go pure pursuit.
PUSH (Channel) Go to designated frequency.
RANCH HOUSE (Altitude) Informative or directive indicating subject fighters will/should return to CAP.
REFERENCE (Direction) Directive to assume stated heading.
RIFLE AGM-65 launch.
ROGER Indicates aircrew understands the radio transmission; does not indicate compliance or reaction.
SAM (Direction) Visual acquisition of a SAM or SAM launch. Should include position.
SANDWICHED A situation where an aircraft/element find themselves between opposing elements.
SAUNTER Fly at best endurance.
SEPARATE Separation from a specific engagement.
SHACKLE One weave; a single crossing of flight paths; manoeuvre to adjust/regain formation parameters.
SHADOW Follow indicated target.
SHAKY [DCS/3(F) Sqn specific. Identifies a pilot suffering with connection issue (e.g. laggy or warpy) conditions, eg “2 is Shaky”. This may result in the pilot deciding to move away from a formation or being directed away from a formation for flight safety purposes.
SHIFT Directive to illuminate second target with laser designator.
SHOOTER Aircraft designated to employ ordnance.
SHOTGUN Launch of antiradiation (SHRIKE) missile by Wild Weasel.
SILENT "GO SILENT" directive to initiate briefed EMCON procedures.
SKIP IT Veto of fighter commit call; usually followed with further directions.
SLICE (Left/Right) Directive to perform a high G descending turn in the stated direction; usually 180° turn.
SLOW Target with ground speed of less than 300 knots.
SNAP SHOT High angle/high LOS gun shot.
SNAP ( ) An immediate vector (bearing and range) to the group described.
SORTED Criteria have been met which ensure individual flight members have separate contacts; criteria can be met visually, electronically (radar) or both.
( )SOUR Described equipment is degraded.
SPARKLE Target marking by a gunship or FAC using incendiary rounds.
SPIKE RWR indication of an AI threat in track, launch, or unknown mode. Include bearing and clock position/azimuth and threat type if able.
SPITTER (Direction) An aircraft that has departed from the engagement.
SPLASH Target destroyed (air-to-air); weapons impact (air-to-ground)
SPLIT Request to engage a threat; visual may not be maintained; requires flight lead acknowledgment (air-to-air). Also, directive to begin prebriefed manoeuvre/attack.
SPOOFING Informative that voice deception is being employed.
SPOT Informative that laser target designation is being received.
SQUAWK ( ) Operate IFF as indicated or IFF is operating as indicated.
STACK Two or more groups/contact/formation with a high/low stack in relation to each other.
STATUS Request for an individual's tactical situation; response is normally "offensive," "defensive," or "neutral." May be suffixed by position and heading.
STERN Request for, or directive to, intercept using stern geometry.
STINGER Formation of two or more aircraft with a single trail.
STRANGER Unidentified traffic that is not participant in the mission.
STRANGLE ( ) Turn off equipment indicated.
STROBE AI radar indications of noise radar jamming.
SUNRISE A minimum of broadcast control is available (due to return of weapons director's radar).
SUPPORTING Act of assisting the engaged fighter in killing the bandit while maintaining overall battle situation awareness.
SWITCH/SWITCHED Indicates an attacker is changing from one aircraft to another.
TALLY Sighting of a target/bandit; opposite of "NO JOY."
TARGET Specification of sort responsibility. Directive call that may not necessarily follow the sort contract.
THREAT (Direction) (GCI/AWACS) Informative that an untargeted bogey is within 10 NM of a friendly.
TIED Positive radar contact with an element/aircraft.
TRACK A series of related contacts indicating direction of travel.
TRACKING Stabilized gun solution.
TRAIL (Formation) Tactical formation of two or more aircraft following one another.
TRAILER The last aircraft in a formation.
TUMBLEWEED Indicates limited situation awareness; no tally, no visual, a request for information.
UNIFORM UHF/AM radio.
VERY HIGH Target altitude above 40,000 feet MSL.
VERY LOW Target altitude is below 300 feet AGL.
VIC Three groups/contacts/formations with the single closest in range and an element in trail.
VICTOR VHF/AM radio.
VISUAL Sighting of a friendly aircraft; opposite of "BLIND."
WALL Three or more groups/contacts/formations line abreast/side by side.
WEAVE Continuous crossing of flight paths.
WEDGE Tactical formation of two or more aircraft with the single in front and the other aircraft laterally displaced on either side behind the leader's wing line.
WEEDS Indicates that aircraft are operating close to the surface.
( ) WELL Described equipment is functioning properly.
WHAT LUCK Request for results of mission/tasks.
WHAT STATE Request for armament/fuel status; reported as follows: ( ) Radar = # radar missiles remaining. ( ) Heat = # heat missiles remaining. ( ) Fuel = pounds of fuel or time remaining.
WILCO Will comply with received instructions.
WINCHESTER No ordnance remaining.
WORDS Pertinent mission information.
WORKING ( ) Wild Weasel is gathering electronic order of battle on a designated emitter.
YARDSTICK TACAN Equipment.
ZIPPER Acknowledge radio transmissions with two clicks of the mike button.