General/Tactical Communication Revision 1

SOURCE — Tactical Communications Guide

Covers: Airspace Control · TACADMIN · Check-In · Force Packaging · Air-to-Air Communication · Brevity

Based on ATP 3-52.4 / MCRP 3-20F.10 / NTTP 6-02.9 / AFTTP 3-2.8, October 2024. Adapted for DCS.

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01 / Airspace Control

Airspace control is the exercise of delegated authority over designated airspace and users through control procedures and coordination measures to maximize operational effectiveness.

There are two methods of airspace control:

Positive Control relies on positive identification, tracking, and direction of aircraft within an airspace, conducted with electronic means by an agency having the authority and responsibility therein. It requires sensors to locate and identify airspace users in real time and communications to maintain continuous contact.

Procedural Control relies on a combination of previously agreed upon and promulgated orders and procedures. Examples include air defense identification procedures, voice and digital communications between aircraft and airspace control elements, and airspace control measures such as coordinating altitudes and restricted operating zones.

Tactical Command and Control (TAC C2)

TAC C2 agencies use positive and/or procedural control methods to control airspace and manage air operations. Throughout this guide, Controller is used as a generic term for the individual providing tactical control, whether airborne or ground-based.

Primary TAC C2 responsibilities:

• Enable the flow of forces to and from an objective area
• Provide threat warning information and maintain situational awareness
• Maintain SA of supporting asset status, threat information, and target area information
• Maintain air asset deconfliction to and from a working area

Transmission Types

All radio transmissions are associated with a call sign. There are three transmission types:

Directive — the call sign of the entity being directed is used.

 HORNET 2, TARGET NORTH GROUP.

Interrogative — requests a response; format is [entity speaking to], [speaking entity].

 MIKE, EAGLE 11, DECLARE NORTH GROUP.

Informative — provides information without requiring a response; format is [speaking entity].

 EAGLE 11, FUEL YELLOW.

AUTHORITY

Their are the following party's that hold decreasing levels of control.

1. Tactical Control Center - TACC2
2. Mission Commander - MC
3. Team Lead (previously called Package Lead) - TL
4. Flight Lead - FL
5. Element Lead - EL
6. Wingman - WM

Within this squadron MC's duties will be taken over by TACC2 or TL (due to missing personal)

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02 / TACADMIN

Tactical Administration (TACADMIN) consists of all processes and procedures that occur in the TAC C2 area of operations. It covers interflight and intraflight procedures and airborne mission preparation that directly supports executing the tactical mission objective. Examples include weapon arming, sensor management, and tactical communication checks.

Fuel and Weapons Status

Aircraft are assumed GREEN unless otherwise reported.

Status	Meaning
GREEN	Sufficient for continued mission execution
YELLOW	Approaching a level insufficient to continue execution
RED	Insufficient to continue execution

Aircraft must relay YELLOW to the controller. The controller is responsible for coordinating on-station relief before an aircraft communicates RED.

 RAMBO 01, FUEL RED, WEAPONS GREEN.

BRAA and BULLSEYE CallS

Tactical control format: Bearing, Range, Altitude, Aspect relative to the specified friendly aircraft. Used by the controller when information pertains to one specific aircraft, or in response to BOGEY DOPE, SNAPLOCK, and THREAT calls.

Bullseye format: Bearing and Range from BULLSEYE, Altitude, Aspect. Use for description of GROUP and TARGET

Format	Bearing	Range (nm)	Altitude (ft)	Aspect
BRAA	3 2 0	30	20 thousand	Flanking
BULLSEYE	1 1 0	30	25 thousand	HOT

Flight Check / Frequency Change

When Switching a Frequency it is important to ensure that all Flight Members arrive on that Frequency. To ensure this the FL will execute a Flight Check a procedure that requires all wingman to respond on that frequency with their inflight Nr.

Station	Phrase
Controller	{CS} Push Button #
FL	{CS} Push Button #
FL (intraflight)	Flight Push {UHF/VHF, Radio 1/2} Button #
All flight members switch to the new Frequency
FL	{CS} Check
WM	2
EL	3
2nd WM	4

Authentication (DRYAD)

Verifies contact with an allied unit. A challenging station picks a letter from the leftmost column and a second from that row. The responding station replies with the letter directly below the second chosen letter. The DRYAD table is issued in the pre-mission briefing. Pilots are responsible for initiating authentication with the controlling station.

Station	Phrase
FL	{TACC2-CS} {CS} Authenticate E-A
TACC2	Come back G
TACC2	Authenticate J-U
FL	Come back R
TACC2	Authentication Sweet

03 / Check-In Procedures

The purpose of check-in is to establish contact between aircrew and TAC C2, allow the controller to establish accountability, and pass critical mission information before handoff to the final controller.

Check-in accomplishes the following before and after mission execution: positive friendly identification via IFF and/or data link, ALPHA CHECK from BULLSEYE, safety-of-flight information, and weather update.

Note: BULLSEYE cannot be used for initial position calls — only valid after ALPHA CHECK.

Check In ON TACC2 NET (MNPOPCA Format)

The MNPOPCA format outlines the informations a aircrew should prepare before beginning the Check in process:

MNPOPCA Format
Number and Type of Aircraft
Position and Altitude
Ordnance (if applicable)
PLAYTIME
Capabilities (e.g., laser, infrared pod, data link)
Abort Code

Check in AS FRAGGED

Station	Phrase
Flight Check, then Authentication
FL	{Controller-CS} {CS} as Fragged, Request Alpha Check from Bullseye
Controller	{CS}, Identified, {Control Type}, Alpha Check Bullseye {Position}
FL	{CS}

Check in WITH EXCEPTIONS

Station	Phrase
Flight Check, then Authentication
FL	{Controller-CS} {CS} Mission Nr #-#-#-# Checking in with Exceptions. Request Alpha Check Bullseye
TACC2	{CS}, Alpha Check Bullseye {Position} continue with Check In
FL	{CS} {State Exceptions in plain Language}

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04 / Force Packaging

Before entering a target area or leaving the MARSHAL Hold the MC will ensure that all Flight are able to operate.

Roll Call

Roll call is initiated by the controller or MC at a predetermined time to confirm force accountability. Each flight lead or team lead responds with call sign in sequence.

 MC:       PACKAGE BRAVO WHISKEY, ROLL CALL.
 FLs:      EAGLE. VIPER WITH EXCEPTIONS. BONES. GROWL. MOJO.
 MC:       VIPER, GO WITH EXCEPTIONS.
 VIPER FL: VIPER MINUS 2.

Timing Changes

ROLEX — timeline adjustment in minutes, always referenced from the original preplanned mission execution time. PLUS is assumed. Not additive.

 PACKAGE WHISKEY ALPHA, ROLEX 10. (Original 1500Z → New 1510Z)

SLIP — time delay to an individual flight or element event. Not additive.

 HOSS 1, SLIP TOT 6 MINUTES. (Original 1500Z → New 1506Z)

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06 / Air-to-Air Refueling

AAR requires close coordination with the tanker around a pre-briefed Rendezvous (RV). SOURCE uses RV Alpha (Fixed Anchor) for all operations. (due to DCS limitations)

Tanker Orbit Stack

Level	Usage	ex.
ALPHA	Receivers departing · Emergency	FL210
BRAVO	Tanker base level	FL200
CHARLIE	Receiver evasive	FL190
DELTA	Receivers approaching	FL180

RV Alpha Procedure

Receiver: fly 2,000 ft below AAR altitude · follow controller heading · declare JUDY on radar contact · declare VISUAL when in sight · weapons safe and radar off · take ECHELON LEFT when authorized.

Station	Phrase
Controller	{CS} Proceed Tanker BRAA {BRAA}, RV Alpha, Tanker Freq {Freq} {Instructions}
FL	{CS} Roger, RV Alpha, Tanker Freq {Freq} {Readback}
Once flight has radar contact with tanker
FL	{Flight Name} Judy 1, Weapons Safe
Once tanker is in sight
Controller	{CS} Tanker {x} o'clock, report visual
FL	{CS} Nose Cold, visual with tanker
Controller	{CS} Roger, contact boom
Switch to DCS tanker frequency and join up

FL must confirm Nose Cold / Weapons Safe with wingmen on intraflight before reporting to the controller.

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07 / Positive Identification (PID)

PID proves, to a defensible standard, that the contact is a legitimate target under the ROE. Proof may come from sensors, behavior, location, declarations, or higher authority.

Type	Description
Electronic PID	IFF interrogation, data link picture, NCTR, controller declaration. Most common form in BVR.
Visual PID (VID)	Confirm number, type, livery, armament, heading, speed. Requires merge or VID pass.
Ground Targets	Correlate with pre-briefed target.

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08 / Air-to-Air Combat

Air to Air Communication Procedures

09 / Air-to-Surface Combat

Air to Surface Communication Procedures

09 / Brevity Words

Situational Awareness

Term	Definition
ALPHA CHECK	Verification of ownship position relative to BULLSEYE. Used at check-in to confirm navigation accuracy. ALPHA CHECK correlation is defined as within 3 nm.
ANGELS	Height of friendly aircraft in thousands of feet MSL (e.g., ANGELS TWENTY = 20,000 ft).
BOGEY DOPE	Request for BRAA information on the indicated or nearest GROUP. Does not imply targeting.
BRAA	Bearing, Range, Altitude, and Aspect relative to the specified friendly aircraft.
BULLSEYE	A pre-briefed reference point from which the position of an object is referred to by magnetic bearing and range in nm. Not to be truncated to "BULL."
CLEAN	1. No sensor information on a GROUP of interest. 2. No visible battle damage. 3. Aircraft not carrying external stores.
CLARA	Radar scope is clear of contacts.
CONTACT	Individual radar return within a GROUP.
FADED	A previously tracked GROUP not updated by sensors for 30 seconds. Last known position implied.
GROUP	Any number of air contacts within 3 nm in azimuth and range of each other.
HEAVY	A GROUP known to contain three or more contacts.
JUDY	Aircrew has taken control of the intercept and requires only situational awareness information. Controller minimizes transmissions.
MERGED	Friendlies and targets have arrived in the visual arena, within 3–5 nm.
MONITOR	Maintain sensor awareness on a specified GROUP or object. Implies tactically significant changes will be communicated.
NEGATIVE CONTACT	Used for friendly aircraft not held on sensors. FADED is not used for friendlies.
NO JOY	No visual contact with the target or bandit.
PICTURE	Request for a description of all GROUPs and their spatial relationships in BULLSEYE format.
PLAYTIME	Time aircraft can remain on station, given in hours plus minutes (e.g., ONE PLUS THIRTY).
TALLY	Visual sighting of a target or enemy aircraft.
VANISHED	A FADED GROUP correlated to a successful friendly shot. Assessed as killed.
VISUAL	Visual sighting of a friendly aircraft, ground unit, or ship.

Contact Status and Declaration

Term	Definition
BANDIT	Positively identified as enemy IAW theater ID criteria. Does not imply authority to engage.
BOGEY	Contact whose identity is unknown.
DECLARE	Inquiry as to the identity of a specified track or GROUP. Responses include: FRIENDLY, BOGEY, BANDIT, HOSTILE, NEUTRAL, UNABLE, CLEAN, or FURBALL. Full positional data (BULLSEYE) must accompany responses.
FRIENDLY	Positively identified friendly aircraft, ship, or ground position.
FURBALL	Non-friendly and friendly aircraft within 5 nm of each other. May be a response to a DECLARE request.
HIGH	Contact is above 40,000 ft MSL.
HOSTILE	Contact identified as enemy upon which clearance to fire is authorized IAW ROE.
NEUTRAL	Positively identified aircraft whose characteristics indicate it is neither supporting nor opposing friendly forces.
OUTLAW	Contact originating from a known or suspected hostile airfield or area.
SPADES	Contact returns no or invalid IFF response on interrogation.
FAST	Target speed 660–900 knots ground speed or Mach 1.1–1.5.
VERY FAST	Target speed above 900 knots or Mach 1.5.

Picture Labels

Term	Definition
AZIMUTH	Two GROUPs separated laterally at approximately the same range from the fighters. Named by cardinal directions (e.g., NORTH GROUP, SOUTH GROUP).
RANGE	Two GROUPs separated in depth along the threat axis. Named LEAD GROUP and TRAIL GROUP.
WALL	Three or more GROUPs separated in azimuth with depth ≤5 nm or closing. Outer GROUPs named by cardinal directions; inner GROUPs named MIDDLE GROUP.
CHAMPAGNE	Three GROUPs with two closest to fighters in azimuth and one in trail. LEAD GROUPs named with cardinal direction; TRAIL GROUP in range.
VIC	Three GROUPs with one closest to fighters and two in trail separated in azimuth. LEAD GROUP closest; TRAIL GROUPs named with cardinal direction.
BOX	Four GROUPs with two in azimuth closest to fighters and two in azimuth farthest. Named LEAD GROUP (cardinal) and TRAIL GROUP (cardinal).
LADDER	Three or more GROUPs separated in range. Named LEAD GROUP, MIDDLE GROUP (or SECOND, THIRD), TRAIL GROUP.
STACK	Two or more contacts in a GROUP with ≥10,000 ft altitude separation. Higher altitude stated first.
LEADING EDGE	The GROUPs the fighters expect to target in the upcoming intercept. Follow-on GROUPs are communicated as WAVES (SECOND WAVE, THIRD WAVE, etc.).
NEW PICTURE	Tactical picture has changed. Supersedes all previous calls and reestablishes the picture for all players.
ADDITIONAL GROUP	Newly detected GROUP outside targeting range that does not fit the current picture label.
POP-UP GROUP	Previously undetected GROUP appearing inside targeting range but outside THREAT range.
THREAT GROUP	Undetected or unreported GROUP meeting briefed THREAT criteria. Communicated in BRAA format to the closest aircraft.
OPENING	Distance between GROUPs is increasing.
CLOSING	Distance between GROUPs is decreasing.
WEIGHTED	Picture with three or more GROUPs where one or more GROUPs are offset from an equidistant arrangement. Accompanied by cardinal direction.
ECHELON	GROUPs in a traditional label that are not directly in azimuth or range with one another. Accompanied by cardinal direction.
PASSING	Two named GROUPs with a RANGE relationship maneuvering to opposite sides in a RANGE relationship.
CROSSING	Two GROUPs with an AZIMUTH relationship maneuvering to opposite sides in an AZIMUTH relationship.
JOINED	Two or more named GROUPs maneuver to meet and maintain GROUP criteria.
UNTARGETED	A GROUP inside targeting range with no assigned fighter. Used by the controller to flag priority GROUPs at risk.

Targeting and Responsibility

Term	Definition
COMMIT	Directive to move to intercept or engage a specified GROUP.
TARGET	Assignment of targeting responsibility for a specific GROUP to a flight or section.
TARGETED	Fighter has acquired the assigned GROUP and assumed responsibility for it.
UNTARGETED	GROUP inside targeting range with no fighter assigned.
DROPPING	Stop monitoring a specified GROUP or emitter and resume search responsibilities.
RESET	Proceed to prebriefed position or area of operations. Implies DROPPING and return of targeting responsibility.
MELD	Shift radar responsibilities from airspace sanitization to gaining situational awareness on the assigned GROUP.
SORTED	Sort responsibility within a GROUP has been met by the calling fighter.
ANCHORED	Turning engagement at the specified location. Fighter is engaged and not flowing.
SEPARATION	Request or information call stating the distance in nm between two GROUPs or WAVES.
LANE CROSSER	A GROUP that maneuvers into a different area of targeting responsibility.
LANE RIDER	A GROUP that maintains a track direction on or near the boundary between targeting areas.

Employment

Term	Definition
ENGAGE	Directive to fire on a designated target.
FOX ONE	Semi-active radar-guided missile fired.
FOX TWO	Infrared-guided missile fired.
FOX THREE	Active radar-guided missile fired.
SPLASH	Missile has impacted. Target is assessed as destroyed.
SNAPLOCK	Fighter has gained sensor contact to a GROUP inside THREAT range with BEAM or hotter aspect. BRAA and aspect implied.
SPIKED	Fighter is being painted by an airborne radar. Called with bearing or cardinal direction.
MUSIC	Fighter is experiencing radar electromagnetic deceptive jamming from a GROUP.
PRESS	Requested action is approved and mutual support will be maintained. Assumes VISUAL.
BANZAI	Execute launch-and-decide tactics with intent to maneuver into the visual arena.
SKATE	Execute launch-and-leave tactics.
DEFEND(ING)	Fighter is maneuvering defensively against a threat. Called with cardinal direction of defensive turn.

Maneuver and Flow

Term	Definition
BREAK	(Direction) Immediate maximum-performance turn. Safety of flight or to defeat a weapons solution.
BUSTER	Fly at maximum continuous speed without afterburner (military power).
GATE	Fly as fast as possible; use afterburner.
FLOW COLD	Initiate a turn away from the anticipated threat; begin COLD operations.
IN	Informative call that the fighter is turning toward the threat or target.
OUT	Informative call that the fighter is turning away from the threat.
CRANK	Maneuver in the indicated direction while maintaining radar contact on the bandit at the radar gimbal limit. Reduces closure rate while sustaining illumination.
NOTCH	Maneuver to place a radar-guided threat on the beam to defeat its Doppler filter.
TRESPASS	Aircraft has entered a known or pop-up SAM MEZ. Directive call to snap 180 degrees away.
HARD	High-G-force, energy sustaining turn in the indicated direction (default is a 180-degree turn).

COMPLETION and ABORT

MILLER TIME	Last striker in the package has completed the attack	{Controller-CS} {CS} MILLER TIME
BUGOUT	Aircraft has completed its attack and has no intention to return	{Controller-CS} {CS} BUGOUT {Direction}
OFF	Aircraft has completed its attack and is repositioning or egressing within the area	{Controller-CS} {CS} OFF {Direction}

AIR TO SURFACE

Term	Definition
DIRT	Radar warning receiver indication of a surface threat in search mode. The threat is radiating but has not yet established a track.
MUD	Radar warning receiver indication of a surface threat in track mode. The threat has established a track on the aircraft.
SINGER	Radar warning receiver indication of a SAM launch. The threat has fired.
SCAN	Search the indicated sector and report any contacts.
WORK	Directive call to conduct geolocation on a specific target or area.
INVESTIGATE	Verify specified elements of ROE, positive identification (PID), and coordination of forces on the referenced target or track.
FIXED	Target has been located and its position established. Followed by accuracy qualifier: LOW ACCURACY (inside 1 nm) or HIGH ACCURACY (inside 1,000 ft).
MONITOR	Maintain sensor awareness on a specified GROUP or object. Implies tactically significant changes will be communicated.
TRACK	Directive call assigning responsibility to an asset for maintaining sensor or visual observation of a defined object or area.
CAPTURED	Object has been acquired and is being actively tracked.
COVER	Directive call to be ready for reattack or re-engage if weapon effects are not achieved.
HOUNDDOG	Aircraft is in a position to employ weapons. Used in response to COVER.
HARM INBOUND	[A/S] [EW] High-speed antiradiation missile already employed	ARM is already in the air — the threat is being engaged
MAGNUM	[A/S] [EW] Launch of FRIENDLY antiradiation missile	ARM is being launched now in response to this call
ARIZONA	[A/S] [EW] No antiradiation missile ordnance remaining	SEAD aircraft is Winchester on ARMs

Status and Administrative

Term	Definition
AS FRAGGED	Unit will perform exactly as briefed or scheduled per the ATO.
WITH EXCEPTIONS	Unit will perform as briefed with stated deviations.
AUTHENTICATE	Request to verify contact with an allied unit using the DRYAD table.
BLIND	No visual contact with a friendly aircraft.
FENCE IN / OUT	Perform the combat configuration checklist entering or exiting the hostile area.
LOWDOWN	Request for the current tactical electromagnetic support or ground/surface picture.
ROLEX	Timeline adjustment in minutes from original planned execution time. PLUS assumed. Not additive.
SLIP	Time delay to an individual flight or element event. Not additive.
UNABLE	Cannot comply as requested or directed.