Brevity Codes

Question 1

Anchor (location)

Answer 1

1. Orbit about a specific point.

2. Refueling track flown by tanker.

Question 2

ANGELS

Answer 2

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

Question 3

AS FRAGGED

Answer 3

Unit or element will perform exactly as briefed.

Question 4

AUTHENTICATE

Answer 4

Coded challenge/response to coded challenge.

Question 5

[number, weapon type] AWAY

Answer 5

[A/S] [S/A] Release or launch of specified weapon at designated target (e.g., 1 AWAY, 2 PIGS AWAY, BIRDS AWAY, etc.). At minimum number or weapon type required.

Question 6

BASE [+/- number]

Answer 6

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

Question 7

BRACKET [direction]

Answer 7

[A/A] [A/S] Maneuver to a position on opposite sides, either laterally or vertically from the target.

Question 8

BULLDOG

Answer 8

*[S/S] FRIENDLY surface or submarine launched antiship missile.

Question 9

CEASE [activity]

Answer 9

**Discontinue stated activity; e.g., CEASE BUZZER, CEASE LASER, CEASE SPARKLE.

Question 10

CHATTERMARK [communication type]

Answer 10

Begin using briefed communication procedures to counter communications jamming. If no modifier is specified, “radio” is understood.

Question 11

CHERRY

Answer 11

*[A/S] [S/A] [A/A] Informative call from ISR or close air support platform to the inbound aircraft that the LZ/DZ has enemy activity above the prebriefed risk tolerance of the ground force commander. Opposite of, and cancels, ICE.

Question 12

CHERUBS

Answer 12

Height of a FRIENDLY aircraft in hundreds of feet above surface.

Question 13

CLEARED HOT

Answer 13

1. [A/S] Type 1 and 2 close air support terminal attack control clearance to release ordnance on this pass.
2. [A/S] Training range operations: the range control officer or range safety officer authorizes ordnance release.

Question 14

CLEARED TO ENGAGE

Answer 14

1. **[A/S] Type 3 close air support, terminal attack control clearance. Attack aircraft or flight may initiate attacks within the parameters imposed by the joint terminal attack controller. 2. **[A/A] [A/S] Clearance to fire on designated GROUP or target.

Question 15

CONTINUE

Answer 15

Continue present maneuver. This does not imply a change in clearance to engage or expend ordnance.

Question 16

CONTINUE DRY

Answer 16

[A/S] Continue present maneuver, ordnance release not authorized. Used to provide approval to aircraft to continue the pass without expending ordnance during type 1, 2, or 3 control. (The joint terminal attack controller must use “Type 3, CONTINUE DRY” for dry type 3 control.)

Question 17

DANGER CLOSE

Answer 17

**[A/S] [S/S] FRIENDLY troops are within 0.1% probability of incapacitation from the target (determined by the weapon or munition that is delivered or fired).

Question 18

ENGAGEMENT COMPLETE

Answer 18

[A/S] Mandatory call from the attack aircraft to the joint terminal attack controller or forward air controller, during type 3 close air support terminal control, indicating completion of ordnance release. See also CLEARED TO ENGAGE.

Question 19

FARM

Answer 19

**[A/S] Helicopter status of fuel (expressed in PLAYTIME), ammunition, rocket, and missile (e.g., “Taz 31, FARM 2+00, 300, 14, 4”). See WHAT STATE.

Question 20

GREEN

Answer 20

1. [A/A] [A/S] [AIR-MAR] Direction of no known enemy threats requires [direction] modifier.
2. [A/A] [A/S] [AIR-MAR] Aircraft is at a weapon or fuel state that allows continued execution of the mission.

Question 21

ICE

Answer 21

*[A/S] [S/A] [A/A] Informative call from an ISR or close air support platform to the inbound aircraft that the LZ/DZ has enemy activity above the prebriefed risk tolerance of the ground force commander. Opposite of, and cancels, CHERRY.

Question 22

IN [direction]

Answer 22

1. [A/A] Turning toward a known threat. Opposite of OUT.

2. [A/S] Entering terminal phase of an air-to- ground attack. Opposite of OFF.

Question 23

[status] LIGHT

Answer 23

• *[S/A] Mission status.
• *(RED): Prebriefed threats have not been mitigated for further mission execution. Aircraft should evaluate their position relative to the threat and take appropriate actions. **(YELLOW): Designated assets can continue to operate relative to the prebriefed threat while other assets should continue to hold. **(GREEN): All aircraft are cleared to execute prebriefed missions.

Question 24

LOWDOWN

Answer 24

**A request for the tactical ground picture in an area of interest.

Question 25

MINIMIZE

Answer 25

The radio frequency is becoming saturated, degraded, or jammed and briefer transmissions must follow.