NATO PHONETIC ALPHABET
Standard International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet — used to spell out callsigns, coordinates, frequencies, and any critical information over the radio. Pronunciation matters: syllables in CAPS are stressed.
AAlphaAL-fah
BBravoBRAH-voh
CCharlieCHAR-lee
DDeltaDELL-tah
EEchoECK-oh
FFoxtrotFOKS-trot
GGolfGOLF
HHotelhoh-TELL
IIndiaIN-dee-ah
JJuliettJEW-lee-ETT
KKiloKEY-loh
LLimaLEE-mah
MMikeMIKE
NNovemberno-VEM-ber
OOscarOSS-cah
PPapapah-PAH
QQuebeckeh-BECK
RRomeoROW-me-oh
SSierrasee-AIR-rah
TTangoTANG-go
UUniformYOU-nee-form
VVictorVIK-tah
WWhiskeyWISS-key
XX-rayECKS-ray
YYankeeYANG-key
ZZuluZOO-loo
NUMBERS
0Zero
1Wun
2Too
3Tree
4Fower
5Fife
6Six
7Seven
8Ait
9Niner
USE CASES: callsign "VIPER-1" = "Victor India Papa Echo Romeo — Wun". Frequency 251.5 = "Too Fife Wun
Point Fife". Grid PA1122 = "Papa Alpha Wun Wun Too Too". Say each digit individually — never "twenty-two",
always "too-too".
THE FOUR GOLDEN RULES
1. LISTEN before you transmit — never step on another transmission.
2. THINK before you key — organize the message in your head first.
3. BE BRIEF — every second on the radio blocks others from using it.
4. BE STANDARD — use exact phraseology; improvisation causes confusion.
2. THINK before you key — organize the message in your head first.
3. BE BRIEF — every second on the radio blocks others from using it.
4. BE STANDARD — use exact phraseology; improvisation causes confusion.
STANDARD TRANSMISSION FORMAT
Every radio call follows the same four-part structure:
WHO YOU CALL — the station you are addressing
WHO YOU ARE — your callsign
WHERE YOU ARE — position, altitude, or reference
WHAT YOU WANT — request or intention
EXAMPLE: "Batumi Tower, Viper-1, 5 miles east at 3000 feet,
request landing runway 30."
STANDARD PHRASEOLOGY — MUST KNOW
| PHRASE | MEANING |
|---|---|
| AFFIRM | Yes (NEVER say "affirmative" — sounds like "negative") |
| NEGATIVE | No / permission denied |
| ROGER | Received your last transmission (does NOT mean "yes") |
| WILCO | Will comply with your instruction |
| STANDBY | Wait — I'll get back to you shortly |
| SAY AGAIN | Repeat your last (NEVER say "repeat" — that means fire artillery again) |
| CORRECTION | Error in previous transmission, correct version follows |
| DISREGARD | Cancel my last transmission |
| UNABLE | Cannot comply with request |
| APPROVED / CLEARED | Authorization granted (only ATC/Command uses) |
| READ BACK | Repeat my instruction to me verbatim |
| HOW COPY? | Did you receive my transmission? (military usage) |
| BREAK | Pause between messages to same station |
| BREAK BREAK | Interrupt for important message to different station |
| OUT | End of transmission, no reply expected |
| OVER | End of transmission, expecting a reply |
NEVER SAY "OVER AND OUT": It's contradictory — OVER expects reply, OUT ends the exchange. Use one or
the other.
MANDATORY READ-BACKS
ATC instructions that MUST be read back verbatim so any error can be caught:
✓Runway assignments
✓Altitude clearances
✓Heading / vector
✓Frequency changes
✓Altimeter settings
✓Hold-short instructions
✓Squawk codes
✓Speed restrictions
✓Departure clearance
NUMBERS ON THE RADIO
| ITEM | SAY | NOT |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency 251.5 | "Two Five One Point Five" | "Two Fifty-One and a Half" |
| Altitude 10,000 | "One Zero Thousand" | "Ten Thousand" |
| Altitude 12,500 | "One Two Thousand Five Hundred" | "Twelve Point Five" |
| Heading 090 | "Zero Niner Zero" | "Ninety" |
| Runway 30 | "Runway Three Zero" | "Runway Thirty" |
| Squawk 7700 | "Squawk Seven Seven Zero Zero" | "Squawk seventy-seven hundred" |
| Time 14:35 | "One Four Three Five" | "Two thirty-five PM" |
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY — immediate distress, aircraft or crew in grave danger.
Follow with: aircraft type, position, altitude, nature of emergency, souls on board, intentions.
Follow with: aircraft type, position, altitude, nature of emergency, souls on board, intentions.
PAN-PAN PAN-PAN PAN-PAN — urgency, but not immediate danger. Priority handling requested.
PILOT: "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY, Batumi Tower, Viper-1, engine
failure, 10 miles east at 5000, four souls on board, attempting emergency landing your field."
TOWER: "Viper-1, roger MAYDAY, cleared to land any runway,
wind 240 at 8, emergency services rolling."
GUARD FREQUENCIES (always monitored)
| FREQ | USE |
|---|---|
| 243.000 UHF | Military Emergency ("Guard") |
| 121.500 VHF | Civilian Emergency |
| 282.800 UHF | Combat SAR |
EMERGENCY TRANSPONDER CODES
| SQUAWK | MEANING |
|---|---|
| 7500 | Hijacking / unlawful interference |
| 7600 | Radio failure (NORDO / lost comms) |
| 7700 | General emergency |
FREQUENCY DISCIPLINE
ONE conversation at a time. Do not transmit if the freq is busy — wait for a natural pause.
When to switch frequencies:
Ground → Tower when instructed at hold short
Tower → Departure when instructed after airborne
Departure → Center when leaving TMA
Center → Approach when entering destination TMA
Approach → Tower when on final
Tower → Ground when clear of active runway
Always confirm frequency change: "251.5, Viper-1, good day."
FORMATION / FLIGHT COMMS
ONLY THE FLIGHT LEAD talks to external agencies (ATC, JTAC, AWACS).
Wingmen speak only on the internal flight frequency unless directed.
Standard flight callsigns for a 4-ship "Viper" flight:
Viper-1 — Flight Lead (all external comms)
Viper-2 — Number 2 wingman
Viper-3 — Element Lead (2nd pair)
Viper-4 — Number 4 wingman
Or on tactical freq — just numbers:
LEAD: "Two, check right, spike three o'clock."
2: "Two, tally, defending."
3: "Three, in support."
WHAT NEVER TO SAY
✗ No idle chat on tactical or guard frequencies. Someone might be dying while you joke.
✗ No profanity. Everything is recorded.
✗ No "repeat" to mean "say again." REPEAT = fire again in artillery.
✗ No non-standard callsigns. Use assigned callsign only.
✗ No breaking in unless emergency — wait for a pause.
✗ No "OK" or "yeah". Use ROGER, AFFIRM, or WILCO.
✗ No transmitting when someone else is already speaking.
✗ No profanity. Everything is recorded.
✗ No "repeat" to mean "say again." REPEAT = fire again in artillery.
✗ No non-standard callsigns. Use assigned callsign only.
✗ No breaking in unless emergency — wait for a pause.
✗ No "OK" or "yeah". Use ROGER, AFFIRM, or WILCO.
✗ No transmitting when someone else is already speaking.
LOST COMMS (NORDO)
If radio fails in flight:
1. Squawk 7600
2. Try backup radio / guard frequency
3. If still no joy — proceed to last-assigned route
4. If VMC — land at nearest suitable field
5. If IMC — follow lost comms procedure in flight plan
6. Rock wings for visual "I see you" signal to intercept
REMEMBER: Every word on the radio should have a reason to be there. If a call doesn't move the
mission forward or keep someone safe — don't make it.
1. RADIO CHECK
Before any transmission, verify radio is working.
VIPER-1: "Batumi Ground, Viper-1, radio check."
GROUND: "Viper-1, Batumi Ground, loud and clear."
VIPER-1: "Loud and clear also, Viper-1."
2. REQUEST STARTUP / ENGINE START
Request permission to start engines. State your parking position and intentions.
VIPER-1: "Batumi Ground, Viper-1, ramp 3, request startup,
information Alpha."
GROUND: "Viper-1, startup approved, altimeter 2992, wind 240
at 8."
VIPER-1: "Startup approved, altimeter 2992, Viper-1."
3. REQUEST TAXI
After engines running and checks complete, request taxi to runway.
VIPER-1: "Batumi Ground, Viper-1, request taxi to active."
GROUND: "Viper-1, taxi to runway 30 via taxiway Alpha, hold
short of Bravo."
VIPER-1: "Taxi 30 via Alpha, hold short Bravo, Viper-1."
HOLD SHORT: Never cross a "hold short" line without explicit clearance. Always read back
runway/taxiway assignments verbatim so ATC can catch errors.
4. TAKEOFF CLEARANCE
Switch to Tower frequency at hold short. Report ready for departure.
VIPER-1: "Batumi Tower, Viper-1, holding short 30, ready for
departure."
TOWER: "Viper-1, wind 260 at 10, cleared for takeoff
runway 30."
VIPER-1: "Cleared for takeoff 30, Viper-1."
5. DEPARTURE / HANDOFF
After airborne and safely climbing, Tower will hand you off to Departure or Center.
TOWER: "Viper-1, contact departure 251.5, good day."
VIPER-1: "251.5, Viper-1, good day."
VIPER-1: "Departure, Viper-1, passing 3,000 for
one-zero-thousand, on course."
DEP: "Viper-1, radar contact, climb and maintain 15,000."
VIPER-1: "Climb one-five-thousand, Viper-1."
PATTERN OVERVIEW
Standard landing pattern legs: Initial → Break → Downwind → Base → Final. Left-hand pattern by default unless right-hand is specified.
1. INBOUND CALL (10–15 nm out)
Establish contact with Tower, state position + intentions.
VIPER-1: "Batumi Tower, Viper-1, 12 miles east angels 6, inbound for
the overhead break"
TOWER: "Viper-1, cleared for overhead, report on final runway 30."
VIPER-1: "Cleared overhead, contact you on final runway 30, Viper-1."
2. INITIAL & BREAK
Fly over runway at 1,500 ft AGL, break left/right at midfield or numbers. internal comms : breakoff.. breakoff.. now! (pull up and break to the left/right) joining downwind.
VIPER-1: "Viper-1, on final runway 30, break at the numbers."
TOWER: "Viper-1, cleared for the break, report downwind"
3. JOINING LEFT DOWNWIND
After the break, roll out on downwind heading opposite of landing runway.
VIPER-1: "Viper-1, left downwind, gear down, full stop."
TOWER: "Viper-1,check 3 green cleared to land runway 30, wind 280 at
12."
VIPER-1: "gear check three green Cleared to land runway 30, Viper-1."
4. BASE LEG
Turn from downwind to base (90° to runway). Gear/flaps confirmed down.
VIPER-1: "Viper-1, base,"
5. FINAL APPROACH
Aligned with runway centerline, descending on glide slope.
VIPER-1: "Viper-1, final 30."
TOWER: "Viper-1, wind 290 at 10, cleared to land."
6. AFTER LANDING
TOWER: "Viper-1, turn off/vacade at Charlie, contact ground
121.9."
VIPER-1: "Turn off/vacade Charlie, ground 121.9, Viper-1."
GEAR CHECK CALL: Always call gear down on downwind AND base. Two chances for Tower / wingmen to catch
a forgotten gear. "Three green" = all three gear indicators green.
GO-AROUND: If unstable or unable to land — advance throttle, retract gear on positive climb, "Viper-1
going around" then follow published missed approach.
ATTACK RUN BREVITY CODES
Short, standardized calls used during weapons employment to keep the frequency clear.
| CALL | MEANING |
|---|---|
| PUSH | Departing IP, beginning attack run |
| IN | Rolling in / diving on target |
| OFF (safe/dry/hot) | Finished pass. "Off safe" = no weapons dropped. "Off hot" = weapons released. |
| CLEARED HOT | Weapons release authorized |
| ABORT | Cease attack, do not release |
| SPLASH | Target destroyed (air-to-air) or bomb impact |
| SHACK | Direct hit on target |
| MAGNUM | HARM missile launch (SEAD) |
| RIFLE | Air-to-ground missile launch (Maverick, etc.) |
| FOX-1 / FOX-2 / FOX-3 | Air-to-air missile launch: 1=semi-active radar, 2=IR, 3=active radar |
| WINCHESTER | Out of weapons |
| BINGO | Fuel state — minimum for RTB |
| JOKER | Fuel state — above bingo, RTB soon |
| PADLOCKED | Cannot break visual on target/threat |
| TALLY | Visual on enemy / target |
| VISUAL | Visual on friendly |
| NO JOY | No visual on target |
ATTACK SEQUENCE EXAMPLE (2-SHIP)
JTAC: "Viper flight, cleared hot."
VIPER-1: "Viper-1, pushing IP, target in sight."
VIPER-1: "Viper-1, in from the north."
VIPER-1: "Viper-1, off hot, safe egress east."
VIPER-2: "Viper-2, in from the west."
VIPER-2: "Viper-2, off hot, rejoining."
JTAC: "Viper flight, good hits, target destroyed. Cleared
to contact."
DEFENSIVE / REACTIVE CALLS
| CALL | MEANING |
|---|---|
| MUD SPIKE | RWR alert — ground-based radar (SAM) |
| SPIKE (BAND / DIRECTION) | RWR alert — airborne radar. "Spike 3 o'clock" = threat radar from right side. |
| NAILS | Passive detection of enemy radar (not launch) |
| DEFENDING | Currently maneuvering against a threat |
| MUSIC ON | Jammer / ECM active |
| NAKED | No RWR indications |
| FEET WET / DRY | Crossing coastline outbound / inbound |
BREVITY IS LIFE: Short calls save fuel, save radio time, save lives. Never a paragraph when a word
will do.
WHAT IS A JTAC?
Joint Terminal Attack Controller — ground-based operator qualified to direct close air support (CAS) strikes. JTAC ensures friendly-fire is avoided and weapons hit the correct target. Three CONTROL TYPES define how much authority JTAC retains vs delegates to aircrew.
TYPE 1 CONTROL — JTAC EYES ON EVERYTHING
USED WHEN: JTAC has visual on both the attacking aircraft AND the target.
WHO CLEARS: JTAC personally clears each release.
TYPICAL USE: Troops in contact, close proximity to friendlies, urban/complex environment.
WHO CLEARS: JTAC personally clears each release.
TYPICAL USE: Troops in contact, close proximity to friendlies, urban/complex environment.
JTAC observes weapon delivery from IP through impact. Requires positive visual identification of aircraft and target. Highest confidence, slowest tempo.
TYPE 2 CONTROL — JTAC EYES ON TARGET ONLY
USED WHEN: JTAC has target visual (IR, laser designation, or eyes) but cannot observe the attacking
aircraft due to terrain, weather, or high altitude release.
WHO CLEARS: JTAC still clears each release — but based on aircraft's self-reported IN call.
TYPICAL USE: Night ops with LTD, medium-altitude PGM release, weather obscuration.
WHO CLEARS: JTAC still clears each release — but based on aircraft's self-reported IN call.
TYPICAL USE: Night ops with LTD, medium-altitude PGM release, weather obscuration.
JTAC receives aircrew IN call, verifies attack heading matches the brief, then clears hot. Aircraft is responsible for own release parameters within JTAC-provided restrictions.
TYPE 3 CONTROL — WEAPONS RELEASE DELEGATED
USED WHEN: Multiple attacks over an extended engagement zone, high tempo, or target area saturated
with permitted targets.
WHO CLEARS: JTAC provides "clearance to engage" for the AREA + timeframe — aircrew decides individual releases within those constraints.
TYPICAL USE: Suppression of extended enemy positions, kill box operations, saturation strikes.
WHO CLEARS: JTAC provides "clearance to engage" for the AREA + timeframe — aircrew decides individual releases within those constraints.
TYPICAL USE: Suppression of extended enemy positions, kill box operations, saturation strikes.
Aircrew reports each attack ("In from north"), but does not require individual "cleared hot" for each pass. JTAC monitors and can call "ABORT" at any time.
COMPARISON TABLE
| ASPECT | TYPE 1 | TYPE 2 | TYPE 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| JTAC sees aircraft | YES | NO | NO (often) |
| JTAC sees target | YES | YES | YES/AREA |
| Clearance per pass | Individual | Individual | Once, for zone/time |
| Aircrew autonomy | Low | Medium | High |
| Tempo | Slow | Medium | Fast |
| Friendly-fire risk | Lowest | Low | Elevated |
THE 9-LINE CAS BRIEF
Standard format for JTAC to brief an incoming CAS aircraft. All 9 lines given in order. Aircrew reads back lines 4, 6, and restrictions.
1.
IP / BP
Initial Point or Battle Position (waypoint from which run begins)
2.
HEADING
Magnetic heading IP → target (° magnetic). "Offset left/right" if constrained.
3.
DISTANCE
IP to target (nautical miles)
4.
TARGET ELEV
Elevation of target in feet MSL — read back
5.
TARGET DESC
e.g. "T-72 tank platoon, 4 vehicles"
6.
TARGET LOC
Coordinates (MGRS, lat/lon, or from IP) — read back
7.
MARK TYPE
How target is marked: smoke, WP, IR strobe, laser code (11-88), GLINT, none
8.
FRIENDLIES
Bearing/range from target to nearest friendlies. "SAFE" if none in area.
9.
EGRESS
Direction/route to exit target area safely
EXAMPLE: TYPE 1 CONTROL — TROOPS IN CONTACT
JTAC: "Warhog-1, Warthog Base, ready for 9-line."
A-10: "Warhog-1, ready."
JTAC: "One: IP Alpha. Two: 090. Three: 4 miles. Four: 850
feet. Five: T-72 tank, three vehicles. Six: from IP Alpha, 090 for 4. Seven: laser code 1688. Eight:
friendlies 200 meters west, danger close. Nine: egress south to IP Bravo. Remarks: type 1 control, expect
tally on my mark."
A-10: "Warhog-1 copies. Line 4: 850. Line 6: IP Alpha 090
for 4. Danger close acknowledged. Standing by for mark."
JTAC: "Sparkling now." (activates laser)
A-10: "Warhog-1, tally, in from the west."
JTAC: "Warhog-1, cleared hot."
A-10: "Warhog-1, off hot, safe egress south."
JTAC: "Warhog-1, good effect, target destroyed. Cleared to
contact for BDA."
EXAMPLE: TYPE 2 CONTROL — NIGHT PGM RELEASE
JTAC: "Hornet-2, Wolfpack, ready 9-line."
F-18: "Hornet-2, ready."
JTAC: "IP Delta, heading 315, 8 miles, elevation 1200, SA-8
launcher, coordinates PA 12345 67890, laser code 1511, friendlies 3 clicks southeast, egress northwest.
Type 2 control."
F-18: "Hornet-2, copy. Elevation 1200, PA 12345 67890.
Requesting cleared hot in 30 seconds, west to east attack."
JTAC: "Hornet-2, cleared hot."
F-18: "Hornet-2, laser on, weapon away, RIFLE."
JTAC: "Splash. Good effect. Hornet-2, cleared to next
objective."
EXAMPLE: TYPE 3 CONTROL — KILL BOX
JTAC: "Viper flight, Bloodhound, all callsigns cleared into
Kill Box 4B, weapons free on vehicles and personnel south of grid PA line 15. No friendlies inside. Any
air traffic will be broadcast. Report each attack IN and OFF."
VIPER-1: "Viper-1 copies, weapons free Kill Box 4B, south of
PA-15 line."
VIPER-1: "Viper-1, in from the north on 4 vehicles."
VIPER-1: "Viper-1, off hot, splash 3 vehicles."
VIPER-2: "Viper-2, in from the east on the last one."
VIPER-2: "Viper-2, off, splash 4 of 4."
JTAC: "Copy all. Viper flight, kill box open — continue as
briefed."
AIRCRAFT-INITIATED CHECK-IN
Aircraft always check in with JTAC before receiving 9-line. Standard format:
A-10: "Warthog Base, Warhog-1 checking in, 2-ship of A-10s,
angels 15, mission number Alpha-Zulu-1, playtime 45 minutes, 4 Mavericks, 6 Mk-82, 1170 rounds of 30
mike-mike, IP Alpha in 5 minutes."
JTAC: "Warhog-1, Warthog Base, copies loud and clear. Stand
by for 9-line, IP Alpha, altimeter 2992."
DANGER CLOSE: Friendlies inside minimum safe distance for weapon effect. Aircrew must acknowledge and
often requires ground commander initials (LDR/COMBO code) before release.