Code

Meaning

ABORT

Cease action or terminate the attack prior to weapons release or event or mission.

ALPHA CHECK

Request for confirmation of bearing and range from aircraft to described point.

ANGELS

Height of FRIENDLY aircraft in thousands of feet from mean sea level (MSL).

AS FRAGGED

Unit or element will be performing exactly as briefed or scheduled.

AZIMUTH

A picture label describing two GROUPS separated laterally. GROUP names will be referenced by cardinal directions

BASE [+/- number]

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

BINGO

Prebriefed fuel state needed for recovery.

BOGEY DOPE

Request for information on indicated or closest GROUP in bearing, range, altitude, and aspect (BRAA) format (with appropriate fill-ins).

BREAK [direction]

Perform an immediate maximum performance turn in the indicated direction (default is a 180-degree turn).

BUSTER

Fly at maximum continuous speed

CLEARED TO ENGAGE

Clearance to fire on designated GROUP or target.

COMMIT

Intercept the GROUP(S) of interest. NB: Does not indicate authority to release weapons

CONTACT

Sensor information at the stated position.

DECLARE

Inquiry as to the ID of specified track(s), target(s), or correlated GROUP. Responses may include: FRIENDLY, BOGEY, BANDIT, HOSTILE, NEUTRAL, UNABLE, CLEAN, or FURBALL.

FADED

Sensor data is lost on GROUP or CONTACT

FAKER

A FRIENDLY track acting as a HOSTILE for exercise purposes.

GORILLA

Large force of indeterminate numbers and formation of unknown or non-friendly aircraft.

HOME PLATE

Home airfield or ship.

ID

1.  Directive call to identify the target or track

2.  (type) ID is accomplished, followed by type

JOKER

Fuel state above BINGO at which separation, BUGOUT, or event termination should begin.

JUDY

Aircrew has taken control of the intercept and only requires situation awareness information; controller will minimize radio transmissions.

KNOCK-IT-OFF

Cease all air combat maneuvers, attacks, activities, or exercises (training use only).

MERGE(D)

FRIENDLIES and targets have arrived in the visual arena.

NO JOY / BLIND

Aircrew does not have visual contact with the TARGET or BANDIT. Opposite of TALLY.

PEDRO

Combat search and rescue helicopter.

PICTURE

A request to provide information pertinent to the mission in a digital bullseye format unless briefed otherwise.

SNIFF [type]

Passive sensor indication of a radar emitter.

TALLY

Sighting of a target, non-friendly aircraft, or enemy position. Opposite of NO JOY.

TARGETED

Fighter has acquired assigned GROUP and has assumed responsibility for it.

WINCHESTER

No ordnance remaining.

EMBELLISH

(UK MMATM Term Only). A codeword signifying that an Aircraft is prepared to act as a target for fighter interception. 

Code

Description

FRIENDLY

A positively identified FRIENDLY aircraft, ship, spacecraft, or ground position

BANDIT

Positively identified as an enemy in accordance with (IAW) theater ID criteria. The term does not imply direction or authority to engage.

BOGEY

A CONTACT whose identity is unknown

STRANGER

CONTACT not involved in the exercise (Used only in Training) 

HOSTILE

A contact identified as enemy upon which clearance to fire is authorized IAW theater rules of engagement (ROE). 

NEUTRAL

A positively identified aircraft, ship, or ground position whose characteristics, behavior, origin, or nationality indicate it is neither supporting nor opposing FRIENDLY forces