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.

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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, BRAA, SNAPLOCK, and THREAT calls.

Format	Bearing	Range	Altitude	Aspect	Declaration
BRAA	320	30 nm	20,000 ft	Flanking	BOGEY

Flight Check / Frequency Change

Station	Phrase
Controller	{CS} Push Button _
Flight Lead (interflight)	{CS} Push Button _
Flight Lead (intraflight)	Push {UHF/VHF, Radio 1/2} Button _
All flight members switch
Flight Lead	{CS} Check
Wingman	2
Element Lead	3
Element Wingman	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
Pilot	{Controller-CS} {CS} Authenticate E-A
Controller	Come back G
Controller	Authenticate J-U
Pilot	Come back R
Controller	Good Authentication

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, WORDS verification, and weather update.

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

Check In ON TACC2 NET (MNPOPCA Format)

Full check-in includes: Mission number, Number and type of aircraft, Position and altitude, Ordnance, Playtime, Capabilities, Abort code.

If a flight is as FRAGGED an abbreviated Check-in should be used

Station	Phrase
Flight Check, then Authentication
Flight Lead	{Controller-CS} {CS} Mission Nr {MSN} {Position} {Altitude} {Playtime} {AS FRAGGED / WITH EXCEPTIONS} Request Alpha Check from Bullseye
Controller	{CS}, Identified Alpha Check Bullseye {Position}
Flight Lead	Same {Alpha Check}

If a flight is as FRAGGED an abbreviated Check-in should be used

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

If deviations exist from the tasked plan, check in WITH EXCEPTIONS and state the deviation:

 EXXON 1, MISSION NUMBER 6-1-1-1, CHECKING IN WITH EXCEPTIONS. (State Exceptions in plain langue)

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04 / Force Packaging

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.

 PACKAGE BRAVO WHISKEY, ROLL CALL.
 EAGLE. VIPER WITH EXCEPTIONS. BONES. GROWL. MOJO.
 VIPER, GO WITH EXCEPTIONS.
 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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05 / Formations

Formation Splits

Station	Phrase
Flight Lead	{CS}, request split into {number} parts of {number} each
Controller	{CS}, report ready for {Right / Left Hand} {Split Type}

Vertical (Altitude)

Station	Phrase
Flight Lead	{CS}, ready
Controller	{CS 2}, descend {FL}
Flight Lead 2	{CS 2}, descending {FL}
Controller	{CS 2}, squawk {number}, identified
Repeat for each new flight

Lateral (Vector)

Station	Phrase
Flight Lead	{CS}, ready
Controller	{CS 2} for split turn {side} {degrees}
Flight Lead	{CS 2} for split turn {side} {degrees}
Controller	{CS 2} squawk {number}, identified
Repeat for each new flight

Join-Up

Station	Phrase
Flight Lead	{CS} requesting join-up with {CS 2}
Controller	{CS 2}, confirm join-up clearance for {CS}
Flight Lead 2	{CS 2}, {CS} is cleared to join up
Controller	{CS}, fly {heading} and climb/descend to {angels}
Controller	{CS}, report {CS 2} in sight
Flight Lead	{CS}, {CS 2} in sight, {position}
Controller	Visual join-up approved, report formation tight
Flight Lead 2	{CS 2}, formation tight
Controller	{CS 2} adopt callsign {new CS}

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06 / Air-to-Air Refuelling

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

Tanker Orbit Stack

Level	Usage
ALPHA	Receivers departing · Emergency
BRAVO	Tanker base level
CHARLIE	Receiver evasive
DELTA	Receivers approaching

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}
Flight Lead	{CS} Roger, RV Alpha, Tanker Freq {Freq} {Readback}
Once flight has radar contact with tanker
Flight Lead	{Flight Name} Judy 1, Weapons Safe
All wingmen (in order)	2, 3, 4… Weapons Safe
Once tanker is in sight
Controller	{CS} Tanker {x} o'clock, report visual
Flight Lead	{CS} Nose Cold, visual with tanker
Controller	{CS} Roger, contact boom
Switch to DCS tanker frequency

Flight Lead must confirm Nose Cold with wingmen on intraflight before reporting to the controller.

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07 / Positive Identification (PID) and CDE

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	Confirm number, type, livery, armament, heading, speed. Requires merge or VID pass.
Ground Targets	Correlate with pre-briefed target. Controller issues Cleared to Engage before weapons release.

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08 / Air-to-Air Combat

Air combat is primarily carried out by CAP aircraft. The two main mission types are DCA (Defensive Counter Air) and OCA (Offensive Counter Air).

A GROUP is any number of air contacts within 3 nm in azimuth and range of each other. A CONTACT is an individual radar return within a GROUP. Single contact is the assumed strength for all GROUPs unless otherwise specified.

The Targeting Range is the agreed distance at which all contacts must be intercepted. A GROUP inside targeting range with no assigned fighter is labelled UNTARGETED. The default TAC Range call is 60 nm from the closest fighter to the closest GROUP.

Communication Cadence by Intercept Phase

Phase	Priority Communicators
Pre-COMMIT / Marshal	1. Controller · 2. Fighters
Post-COMMIT / Push	1. Controller · 2. Fighter
Targeting / Weapons Employment	1. Fighters · 2. Controller
Merge	1. Engaged Fighter · 2. Supporting Fighters · 3. Controller
Post-Merge	1. Fighter Clearing Merge · 2. Supporting Fighters · 3. Controller

Contact Declaration

Declaration	Meaning	Engagement Authority
BOGEY	Identity unknown	Not cleared to engage
OUTLAW	Originates from known or suspected hostile area	Not cleared to engage; escalation criteria apply
SPADES	No valid IFF response on interrogation	Not cleared to engage; escalation criteria apply
BANDIT	Positively identified as enemy IAW theater ID criteria	Not cleared to engage; does not imply authority to fire
HOSTILE	Confirmed enemy; clearance to fire authorized IAW ROE	Cleared to engage
NEUTRAL	Positively identified as neutral	Not cleared to engage
FRIENDLY	Positively identified as friendly	Not cleared to engage
FURBALL	Friendly and non-friendly aircraft within 5 nm	Employment not authorized until resolved

A BOGEY, OUTLAW, or SPADES classification does not authorize engagement. Escalation to HOSTILE requires a controller DECLARE response or pre-briefed escalation criteria being met.

Phase 1 — Pre-Commit

The flight arrives at its prebriefed CAP position with FENCE IN complete and radars in sanitization configuration. The controller holds picture responsibility and uses BULLSEYE format.

Station	Phrase
Flight Lead	{Controller-CS} {CS} PICTURE
Controller	{CS} {Nr of Groups}, {Group Label} BULLSEYE {Bearing/Range} {Altitude} TRACK {Direction} {Declaration} {Nr of Contacts}

The flight evaluates commit criteria. If not yet met, the flight continues sanitizing and requests updated pictures as needed.

Unexpected Contacts

Three distinct call types exist for contacts not part of the established picture:

Call	Criteria	Format
ADDITIONAL GROUP	Newly detected outside targeting range, or does not fit traditional label	Anchored using BULLSEYE
POP-UP GROUP	Previously undetected, appears inside targeting range but outside THREAT range	Anchored using BULLSEYE
THREAT GROUP	Undetected or unreported GROUP meeting briefed THREAT criteria	BRAA format to the closest aircraft

 DARKSTAR, FIRST POP-UP GROUP BULLSEYE 2-7-0/15, FIVE THOUSAND, TRACK WEST, BOGEY SPADES.
 RAMBO 2, THREAT GROUP BRAA 2-7-0/13, ONE THOUSAND, HOT, HOSTILE.

Phase 2 — Commit

Fighter or MC/TL-Initiated

Station	Phrase
Commit criteria met
Flight Lead	{Controller-CS} {CS} RECOMMEND COMMIT {Group Label}
Controller	{CS} COMMIT {Group Label} BULLSEYE {Bearing/Range} {Altitude} {Declaration} {Nr of Contacts}
Flight Lead	COMMIT {Group Label} {CS}

Controller-Initiated

Station	Phrase
Controller	{CS} COMMIT {Group Label} BULLSEYE {Bearing/Range} {Altitude} {Declaration} {Nr of Contacts}
Flight Lead	{CS} COMMIT

After COMMIT, fighters hold radio priority. The controller transitions to tactical or advisory control.

Phase 3 — Targeting and Declaration

Station	Phrase
Flight Lead	{Controller-CS} {CS} DECLARE {Group Label or Bullseye Position}
Controller	{Group Label} DECLARED {HOSTILE / BOGEY / FRIENDLY / UNABLE / FURBALL}
Flight lead assigns targeting responsibility and announces tactical plan (intraflight)
Flight Lead	(intraflight) {CS} TARGET {Group Label} {Tactic}
Once group appears on radar
Flight Lead	{Controller-CS} {CS} TARGETED {Group Label} BULLSEYE {Bearing/Range}
Controller	No response required if information correlates. Controller responds comparatively if information does not correlate or requires correction.

A fighter that has called TARGETED indicates that fighter is maintaining awareness of and responsibility for the specified group. If DECLARE returns UNABLE or FURBALL, weapons employment is not authorized until classification is resolved.

Phase 4 — TAC Range, MELD, Sort, and JUDY

Station	Phrase
Controller or Fighter	{CS} {Group Label} TAC RANGE (called at 60 nm default)
Flight Lead	{Controller-CS} {CS} MELD
All flight members shift radars from sanitization to assigned group
Flight Lead	(intraflight) FLIGHT SORT {Criteria}
Wingmen	(intraflight) #2 SORTED · #3 SORTED · #4 SORTED
Once sort is complete and no further controller guidance is needed
Flight Lead	{Controller-CS} {CS} JUDY

After JUDY the controller minimizes transmissions. The flight manages the intercept autonomously and requires only situational awareness information.

Phase 5 — Weapon Employment

Station	Phrase
Flight Lead	(intraflight) {Wingman CS} ENGAGE
Firing Aircraft	{Controller-CS} {CS} FOX THREE {Group Label} {Contact Description} BULLSEYE {Bearing/Range} {Altitude}
Controller	COPY SHOT

Multiple shots in one transmission are acceptable.

If a fighter determines a GROUP HOSTILE and ROE has been met, the fighter may employ and include HOSTILE in the shot transmission:

 RAPTOR 1, FOX 3 LEAD GROUP BULLSEYE 1-2-5/27, TWENTY-NINE THOUSAND, HOSTILE.

Phase 6 — Out, Dropping, and Reset

Station	Phrase
Flight Lead	{Controller-CS} {CS} OUT {Direction} DROPPING {Group Label}
Flight returns to sanitization radar settings. Controller resumes monitoring of dropped group.
Once weapon effects are assessed and the flight returns to prebriefed position
Flight Lead	{Controller-CS} {CS} RESET

RESET implies DROPPING and returns all targeting responsibility to the controller.

Note: Targeting responsibility is also cancelled when a fighter communicates BLOWING THROUGH, SPITTER, or executes an OUT. The group should be treated as UNTARGETED if no fighter subsequently targets it.

Phase 7 — In (Follow-up Engagement)

If the tactic requires a follow-up shot rather than RESET:

Station	Phrase
Flight Lead	{Controller-CS} {CS} IN {Direction} TARGETED {Group Label}
Flight Lead	{Controller-CS} {CS} MELD
Re-sort as required, then proceed to Phase 5

COLD Operations

Fighters communicate COLD operations with FLOW COLD or FLOW with a cold heading:

 EAGLE, FLOW COLD.  or  EAGLE, FLOW 0-9-0.

During COLD operations the controller will voice RANGE BACK — the distance from the closest friendly aircraft to the closest GROUP measured parallel to the fight axis.

 DICE 4, FOCUS, RANGE BACK THIRTY-FIVE ADDITIONAL GROUP.

THREAT Call

If a fighter will pierce THREAT range to an untargeted GROUP, a THREAT call is made using BRAA format. Default THREAT criteria is 35 nm, independent of aspect.

 HEAT 31, ADDITIONAL GROUP THREAT, BRAA 1-2-5/35, THIRTY-FIVE THOUSAND, HOT, HOSTILE.

If the THREAT is within 5 nm of friendly fighters:

 BOLT 1, THREAT NORTH THREE, TEN THOUSAND, TRACK SOUTH, HOSTILE.

FADED and VANISHED

FADED — a previously tracked GROUP not updated by sensors for 30 seconds. The controller reports the GROUP as FADED and provides last known BULLSEYE position. Fighters maintain MONITOR responsibility for a FADED group if they can maintain correlation.

VANISHED — a special case of FADED. Used when the GROUP is not in a known blind zone and is correlated to a shot by friendly forces that meets parameters for successful termination. VANISHED implies the contact is assessed as killed.

FADED is not used for friendly aircraft. Controllers use NEGATIVE CONTACT for friendly aircraft not held on sensors.

SNAPLOCK

If fighters gain sensor contact to a GROUP inside THREAT range with BEAM or hotter aspect:

 FREEDOM 31, SNAPLOCK 1-2-5/10, EIGHT THOUSAND.

Controller responds with GROUP name, BRAA, declaration, and fill-ins. If previously undetected, the group is named THREAT GROUP.

BOGEY DOPE

Request for BRAA information on the indicated GROUP or the closest GROUP if not specified. Does not imply fighter targeting.

 MIKE, EAGLE 11, BOGEY DOPE NORTH GROUP.
 EAGLE 11, NORTH GROUP BRAA 2-1-0/28, THIRTY-EIGHT THOUSAND, HOT, HOSTILE.

SPIKE / STROBE

SPIKED — fighter is being painted by an airborne radar. Fighter calls bearing or cardinal direction. Controller correlates to a GROUP within ±30 degrees and responds with range, altitude, aspect, declaration, and GROUP name.

 EAGLE 1, SPIKED 2-7-0.
 EAGLE 1, SPIKE RANGE 17, THIRTY THOUSAND, HOSTILE EAST GROUP, TWO CONTACTS.

STROBE — fighter is detecting an airborne emitter by direction finding. Same response format as SPIKED.

LEAKER

A LEAKER is an airborne threat that has passed through a defensive layer. May be called by fighters or controllers.

 VIPER 1, LEAKER BULLSEYE 3-0-5/65, FIVE THOUSAND, TRACK SOUTH, HOSTILE TWO CONTACTS.

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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.
WORDS	Directive or interrogative call regarding further information or directives pertinent to the mission or operating area.

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.
LEAKER	An airborne threat that has passed through a defensive layer.
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.
STRANGER	Unidentified traffic not a factor to the mission. Not included in the PICTURE.
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.
TARGETING	Informative call; fighter is in the process of acquiring the assigned GROUP.
UNTARGETED	GROUP inside targeting range with no fighter assigned.
DROP / DROPPING	Stop monitoring a specified GROUP or emitter and resume search responsibilities. Targeting responsibility returns to the controller.
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.
BLOW(ING) THROUGH	Directive or informative call that the fighter is continuing straight ahead at the merge and is dropping targeting responsibility.
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.
RANGE BACK	Distance from the closest friendly aircraft to the closest GROUP measured parallel to the fight axis. Used during COLD operations.
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.
STROBE	Fighter is detecting an airborne emitter on direction finding. Called with bearing.
MUSIC	Fighter is experiencing radar electromagnetic deceptive jamming from a GROUP.
METALLICA	EA is preventing fighter employment on a specific 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.
SNAP	Immediate turn to the specified heading.

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.
CHATTERMARK	Directive to transition from primary to alternate tactical frequency.
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.
MARSHALL	Holding at a designated point prior to mission execution.
NET SWEET	All players have checked in on the new frequency following a CHATTERMARK.
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.
TIMBER SOUR	Data link is not functioning correctly or not providing accurate surveillance information.
UNABLE	Cannot comply as requested or directed.
WORDS	Directive or interrogative call regarding further information or directives pertinent to the mission. Generated by TAC C2 and outlined in SPINS.