NATO Code Words - AW

Question 1

BIRD

Answer 1

Friendly surface to air missile.

Question 2

BIRD(S) AFFIRM
HOSTILE_____

Answer 2

Missile radar is locked on designated target.

Question 3

BIRD(S) NEGATE
HOSTILE_____

Answer 3

Information call indicating unit is unable to engage designated target (is used for SAM as well).

Question 4

BIRD(S) AWAY
HOSTILE_____

Answer 4

Missile has been fired on designated target (is used for SAM as well).

Question 5

BOGEY

Answer 5

Unidentified aircraft.

Question 6

BRUISER

Answer 6

Air Launched Anti Ship Missile.

Question 7

CHICKS

Answer 7

1. Friendly aircraft
2. Friendly interceptor aircraft

Question 8

CYCLOPS

Answer 8

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Question 9

DOG

Answer 9

Air towed decoy.

Question 10

GRANDSLAM

Answer 10

All aircraft of a designated track (or against which the mission was tasked) are shot down.

Question 11

LEAKER

Answer 11

Airborne threat has passed through a defensive layer.

Question 12

HOLDING HANDS

Answer 12

Aircraft are joined or in close formation.

Question 13

PANCAKE

Answer 13

Land or I wish to land

Reason may be specified, e.g. PANCAKE AMMO, PANCAKE FUEL

Question 14

PELICAN

Answer 14

Long range patrol maritime aircraft capable of
both search and attack.

Question 15

PIGEONS

Answer 15

Bearing and distance to base

Question 16

PLAYBOY

Answer 16

Tactical air coordinator - Airborne.

Question 17

PLAYMATE

Answer 17

Friendly ship, submarine or aircraft with which I
am co-operating.

Question 18

PROBE

Answer 18

Any aircraft which carries out the visual identification/ recognition of a specific target which has previously been located by another means.

Question 19

RAT

Answer 19

HOSTILE fighter.

Question 20

SLAMEYE___

Answer 20

A visual bearing of the missile, missile vapor track, or missile exhaust.

The bearing of the launch from the reporting unit and the position of the reporting unit are given immediately after SLAMEYE.

Question 21

SNOOPER

Answer 21

An aircraft employed in the detection and reporting of opposing forces while avoiding detection by those forces.

Question 22

SQUAWK (ING)

Answer 22

Operate IFF as indicated or IFF is operating as indicated (e.g. squawk three code zero zero and ident).

Question 23

SUGAR

Answer 23

Surface to air missile (SAM) state report.

Question 24

VAMPIRE

Answer 24

HOSTILE guided missile.

Question 25

WINCHESTER

Answer 25

Aircraft is out of ordnance.

Question 26

WOODPECKER

Answer 26

Close In Weapon System (CIWS).

Question 27

ZIPPO

Answer 27

Alerts units that a missile attack is imminent or in progress. Suffix letters/numbers indicated the type of threat and reactions required.

Question 28

ZIPPO LOOSE

Answer 28

Cancels ZIPPO TIGHT.

Question 29

ZIPPO TIGHT

Answer 29

Inhibits all reactions to threats. ZIPPO’s should not be called.