Code Names for U.S. Military Projects and

Operations

HTML formatting Copyright © 2003-2005 Andreas Parsch Sections 1 "Names — Another Form of Designation" (except section 1.5) Copyright © 2003

Andreas Gehrs-Pahl

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1 Names — Another Form of Designation

1.1 Code Words

1.2 Nicknames

1.3 Exercise Terms

1.4 Alphabetical Blocks for Nicknames and Exercise Terms

1.5 Permanently Assigned First Words for Two-Word Nicknames

1.6 Sources

2 List of Names

1 Names — Another Form of Designation (by Andreas Gehrs-Pahl)

Project Names and Code Words were used by military and intelligence organizations around

the world for many years. They came into their own during World War I, and were virtually

everywhere in World War II. The Cold War left a legacy of secrecy and a huge bureaucracy,

that contributed a lot to the prevalence of Code Words and classifications, a bureaucracy

which continues to dominate the US intelligence community and military to this day. There is

probably only one other thing that this bureaucracy likes more than codes and classifications,

and that is using abbreviations and acronyms :-). The rest of this article will deal specifically

with US DoD and related Code Words, Nicknames, etc., and not with Names and Codes of

any other country.

There are several different types of Names used in the US military, mostly for the purpose of

designation but some simply for concealment. Most of those Names are public but deal with

or describe secret things, but some Names or Code Words are actually secret by themselves.

Some of the different kinds of "Names" used are:

1. Code Words

2. Nicknames

3. Exercise Terms

4. Call Signs

5. NATO ASCC Reporting Names

6. Popular Names

7. Unit and Base Names

8. Vehicle Names

Of those, "Code Words" are classified, but only while they are "Active" or "Cancelled".

"NATO Reporting Names" and "Call Signs" are sometimes also classified, but not always. All

others, like "Nicknames", "Exercise Terms", and "Popular Names" are usually unclassified, as

are "Available" (or unassigned) Code Words.

A list of all US DoD "Code Words", "Nicknames", and "Exercise Terms", as well as US and

Allied "Call Signs", their meaning, and rules and regulations on how to assign and use them,

can be found in the following documents. Most of those documents are classified and are

prepared for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) or other agencies on a regular basis. For additional

details see also "CJCSM 3150.01A", which is available at

http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/cjcsd/cjcsm/m315001a.pdf.

1. Document Name: "CJCSM 3150.29B"

Document Type: "Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Manual (CJCSM)"

CJCSM Title: "Code Word, Nickname, and Exercise Term (NICKA) System"

Full Name: "CODEWORD, NICKNAME, AND EXERCISE TERM REPORT"

Short Name: "NICKA"

Available at: https://www.scor.imsg.com/Public/0006/005011_6DM_CJCSM_3150-

29A.pdf (old edition CJCSM 3150.29A; access to current edition (3150.29B) is

restricted)

2. Document Name: "CJCSM 3150.06"

Document Type: "Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Manual (CJCSM)"

CJCSM Title: "JRS, Reconnaissance"

Full Name: "RECONNAISSANCE NICKNAME REPORT"

Short Name: "RECON" (was "RECON 1")

3. Document Name: "JANAP-119"

Document Type: "Joint Army-Navy-Air Force Publication (JANAP)"

Full Name: "Joint Voice Call Sign Book"

4. Document Name: "JANAP-299"

Document Type: "Joint Army-Navy-Air Force Publication (JANAP)"

Full Name: "U.S. Joint Code Work Index"

5. Document Name: "ACP-100"

Document Type: "Allied Communications Publications (ACP)"

Full Name: "U.S. Call Sign and Address Group System-Instructions and Assignment"

6. Document Name: "DoD 5200.1-R"

Document Type: "Department of Defense Regulation"

Full Name: "DoD Information Security Program"

Available at: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/html/52001r.htm

Those documents describe how Nicknames and Code Words are assigned, and which Code

Words, Nicknames, Call Signs, Exercise Terms, and alphabetical blocks for Nicknames, have

been assigned to which agency. Nicknames and Code Words are usually assigned in blocks,

by the Director of Operations, Joint Staff (JCS-J3), and assigned to specific DoD components.

1.1 Code Words

Code Words are always classified (CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET, or higher) and always

consist of a single word. The assignment of TOP SECRET Code Words requires Director,

Special Programs, ODTUSD(P), approval. Code Words or blocks of Code Words are assigned

to DoD components by the Joint Staff (JS). If a Code Word has been assigned, it is considered

ACTIVE. Active Code Words always need to be shown with their classification, like (S) for

SECRET or (TS) for TOP SECRET, and can not be discussed on unclassified networks or

lines. Normally, Code Words are printed using all capital letters. [Note: In this document,

Code Words are written in SMALL CAPS to enhance readability.]

If a Code Word becomes compromised (or is suspected of being compromised), a new Code

Word is assigned and the old Code Word is CANCELLED. Code Words are also cancelled, if

the project, program, operation, or mission they were assigned to, was either completed or

disbanded. All cancelled Code Words are still classified (at least) CONFIDENTIAL for (at

least) another two years, before they become AVAILABLE (and Unclassified) again.

Available Code Words can be re-used and assigned again for a different purpose. Because of

this, the only Code Words that we (the general public) know about and that we discuss here,

are usually Code Words that have been cancelled at one time or another. It is highly unlikely

that such well-known and publicized Code Words as OXCART or TAGBOARD are ever re-used,

but it is possible. It may even be beneficial to re-use previously cancelled Code Words for the

very same reason, as this "game" is all about deception.

Code Words should not describe or suggest the nature of what is classified. Follow-on

projects or phases of a program must receive different Code Words. For example, follow-on

phases of Project "GUSTO" can't be assigned Code Words like "GUSTO II" or "GUSTO III".

Code Words can be assigned to virtually everything that might be classified, including

Programs, Projects, Geographical Areas or Locations, Operations, Objectives, Missions,

Plans, Tasks, Information types, etc. So called "Special Access (required) Programs" (SAP),

also known as "black" programs, may have a classified Code Word assigned to them, but this

is optional. Code Words are usually not assigned to Tests, Drills, Exercises, or Budget

Identifiers, but many Special (Nuclear) Weapons Tests have received Code Words. Those

Code Words might have originated from the DoE rather than the DoD, though.

The DoD only assigns single-word Code Words, but also sometimes uses Code Words that

originate from other agencies (CIA, DoE, etc.), commercial companies, or foreign countries,

which might not follow DoD directives for assignments of Code Words. Any and all Code

Words that are used must be registered, to prevent double assignments or confusion. All Code

Words and Nicknames are stored in the "Code Word, Nickname, and Exercise Term System"

database, also known as NICKA, which was available through the military's Worldwide

Military Command and Control System (WWMCCS) network, but is now only available

through the JS LAN (Joint Staff Local Area Network).

Code Words are not really used to conceal the classified object itself, as the Code Words

themselves are classified, too, but are used instead to implement a Need-To-Know system for

Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), which is designed to keep individuals or groups

from knowing too much about a specific system or topic, and to limit their access to only the

information needed to do their specific job. There are several different SCI categories used in the DoD, and Code Words are assigned within those categories. For example, photos or tapes

created by SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) or PHOTINT (Photographic Intelligence) can be

viewed and analyzed by interpreters that have Special Intelligence (SI) and/or TALENT-

KEYHOLE (TK) clearances. SI covers all sorts of signals and overhead reconnaissance data,

while TK covers overhead reconnaissance (both, aerial and satellite). The collecting systems

(or Assets) of the NRO are covered under BYEMAN clearances, and receive separate Code

Words. Even the individual systems and missions, like a particular satellite or launch, or a

particular reconnaissance mission or flight, receive one or more numerical Codes. Those

numerical codes are not covered in this article, though.

Specific types of information may also receive specific Code Words, for example UMBRA,

which covers particularly sensitive communications intelligence (COMINT) or RUFF, which

covers specific intelligence based on satellite imagery. Some of those Code Words (like

COSMIC, GAMMA, UMBRA, BYEMAN, TALENT, and KEYHOLE) are still used, even though they

are publicly known for a long time.

1.2 Nicknames

Nicknames are always unclassified, and (usually) consist of two separate words. The first

word must start with two letters selected from a range of alphabetical blocks that are assigned

to different agencies by the Joint Staff (JS) (see section 1.4). Often, specific First Words from

those alphabetical blocks are reserved for specific types of users, projects, or operations (see

section 1.5). This practice exists since at least the early 1970s, but I don't know how any

earlier Nicknames were assigned, and if similar rules were followed.

Nicknames should not contain the words "Project", "Operation", "Exercise", or consist of two

separate words that also exist as a single word, like "Moon Light". Sometimes, three words

are used, and the first or second word is sometimes an acronym. Follow-on projects or

additional phases of a program often receive Roman Numeral suffixes, like "PEACE VECTOR

II" and "PEACE VECTOR III", etc. In case of such multi-phase programs, the first, original

project often receives a Roman Numerical "I" suffix, even if it originally did not have that

extra "I" assigned to it. In the above example, "PEACE VECTOR" and "PEACE VECTOR I" would

be equivalent and would address the same program. Nicknames are most often printed using

all capital letters, but this does not seem to be a fixed rule. [Note: In this document,

nicknames are written in SMALL CAPS to enhance readability.] Nicknames should not be

"exotic words, trite expressions, or well-known commercial trademarks". They should also

"not express a bias inconsistent with traditional American ideals or foreign policy. Convey

connotations offensive to good taste or derogatory to a particular group, sect, or creed, or

convey connotations offensive to our allies or other nations."

All departments and agencies usually place additional restrictions on the assignment of

Nicknames, such as that they should not contain words that are "close in spelling or

pronunciation to a code word" or "any two-word combination voice call sign found in either

JANAP-119 or ACP-119." In addition, sometimes First Words are assigned to specific

departments, units, or project types.

Nicknames can be assigned to virtually the same things as Code Words, like Programs,

Projects, Events, Geographical Areas and Locations, Operations, Objectives, Missions, Plans,

Tasks, and Tests, etc. So called "Special Access Programs" (SAP), also known as "black"

programs, must have an unclassified Nickname assigned to them. Even though Nicknames are

always unclassified, they should not be discussed or mentioned on unclassified networks or telephone lines, unless all aspects, including organizational associations, are completely

unclassified. SAPs usually also receive a trigraph or digraph (three or two-letter codes), which

in case of digraphs, are usually the first two letters of the two unclassified words of the

Nickname, like "TK" for "TALENT-KEYHOLE" -- even though "TALENT" and "KEYHOLE" are

two separate Code Words, rather than a Nickname, in this example. An example for a trigraph

might be "ONW" for "Operation NORTHERN WATCH" (even though ONW is not a SAP, of

course).

Sometimes, whole groups of projects or programs are grouped under a single Nickname, like

the NRO Nicknames SENIOR KEYHOLE or SENIOR YEAR, which (apparently) cover all

overhead (photo) reconnaissance satellites and all overhead (photo) reconnaissance aircraft,

respectively.

Many projects also receive a Project Number for logistical purposes. This "Number" actually

consists of a three-character alphanumeric code. Where known, this code is also given in the

accompanying list of Nicknames.

1.3 Exercise Terms

Exercise Terms should be considered a special form of Nickname, as they are always

unclassified and for public use, and because they often consist of two words, and because they

should be based on the same alphabetical blocks of possible words. Because exercises are

often repeated on a regular basis, either quarterly, annually or bi-annually, specific exercises

are often indicated by added numerical postfixes, like "ROVING SANDS '99", or "RED FLAG

2/03", or "BALIKATAN 2000".

There is also usually no constraint on the meaning of Exercise Terms, and it is perfectly fine

if the name used describes the exercise or any aspect of it. Some DoD components assign

specific meanings to either the first or both words. As an example, all NORAD exercise terms

use the first word to describe the organization or agency responsible, while the second word

describes the type of exercise, test, or experiment that will be conducted.

1.4 Alphabetical Blocks for Nicknames and Exercise

Terms

The following alphabetical blocks are assigned to the listed DoD components, agencies, and

unified or specified commands, of which 24 different ones exist, as far as I know. Except for

'X', all initial letters are divided into four blocks, resulting in a total of 101 blocks (numbered

alphabetically except for 'X', which appears to be regarded as a "special" letter). A few blocks

are still unassigned. The table is from CJCSM 3150.29A, but it is not known if edition

3150.29B has changed any block assignments.

Block

Number First Letters Command / DOD Component / Agency

1 AA - AF USSOCOM (US Special Operations Command)

2 AG - AL USACOM (US Atlantic Command)

3 AM - AR USSPACECOM (US Space Command)

4 AS - AZ USEUCOM (US European Command)

5 BA - BF USPACOM (US Pacific Command)

6 BG - BL USSOUTHCOM (US Southern Command)

7 BM - BR USSOCOM (US Special Operations Command)

8 BS - BZ USSTRATCOM (US Strategic Command)

9 CA - CF US Army

10 CG - CL US Navy

11 CM - CR US Air Force

12 CS - CZ US Marine Corps

13 DA - DF NSA (National Security Agency)

14 DG - DL DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency)

15 DM - DR DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency)

16 DS - DZ DCA (Defense Communications Agency) (note 1)

17 EA - EF USCENTCOM (US Central Command)

18 EG - EL JCS (Joint Chiefs of Staff)

19 EM - ER USSOCOM (US Special Operations Command)

20 ES - EZ USACOM (US Atlantic Command)

21 FA - FF USSPACECOM (US Space Command)

22 FG - FL USEUCOM (US European Command)

23 FM - FR USPACOM (US Pacific Command)

24 FS - FZ USSOUTHCOM (US Southern Command)

25 GA - GF USSOCOM (US Special Operations Command)

26 GG - GL USSTRATCOM (US Strategic Command)

27 GM - GR US Army

28 GS - GZ US Navy

29 HA - HF US Air Force

30 HG - HL US Marine Corps

31 HM - HR NSA (National Security Agency)

32 HS - HZ DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency)

33 IA - IF DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency)

34 IG - IL DCA (Defense Communications Agency) (note 1)

35 IM - IR USCENTCOM (US Central Command)

36 IS - IZ JCS (Joint Chiefs of Staff)

37 JA - JF USSOCOM (US Special Operations Command)

38 JG - JL USACOM (US Atlantic Command)

39 JM - JR USSPACECOM (US Space Command)

40 JS - JZ USEUCOM (US European Command)

41 KA - KF USPACOM (US Pacific Command)

42 KG - KL USSOUTHCOM (US Southern Command)

43 KM - KR USSOCOM (US Special Operations Command)

44 KS - KZ USSTRATCOM (US Strategic Command)

45 LA - LF US Army

46 LG - LL US Navy

47 LM - LR US Air Force

48 LS - LZ US Marine Corps

49 MA - MF NSA (National Security Agency)

50 MG - ML DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency)

51 MM - MR DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency)

52 MS - MZ DCA (Defense Communications Agency) (note 1)

53 NA - NF USCENTCOM (US Central Command)

54 NG - NL JCS (Joint Chiefs of Staff)

55 NM - NR USEUCOM (US European Command)

56 NS - NZ USPACOM (US Pacific Command)

57 OA - OF USSOCOM (US Special Operations Command)

58 OG - OL USSTRATCOM (US Strategic Command)

59 OM - OR US Army

60 OS - OZ US Navy

61 PA - PF US Air Force

62 PG - PL US Marine Corps

63 PM - PR JCS (Joint Chiefs of Staff)

64 PS - PZ USTRANSCOM (US Transportation Command)

65 QA - QF USACOM (US Atlantic Command)

66 QG - QL -

67 QM - QR USSOUTHCOM (US Southern Command)

68 QS - QZ US Army

69 RA - RF US Navy

70 RG - RL US Air Force

71 RM - RR US Army

72 RS - RZ US Navy

73 SA - SF US Air Force

74 SG - SL USEUCOM (US European Command)

75 SM - SR USACOM (US Atlantic Command)

76 SS - SZ DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency)

77 TA - TF USPACOM (US Pacific Command)

78 TG - TL OSD (Office of the Secretary of Defense)

79 TM - TR US Army

80 TS - TZ USTRANSCOM (US Transportation Command)

81 UA - UF US Army

82 UG - UL USTRANSCOM (US Transportation Command)

83 UM - UR USACOM (US Atlantic Command)

84 US - UZ US Army

85 VA - VF USPACOM (US Pacific Command)

86 VG - VL USSPACECOM (US Space Command)

87 VM - VR USTRANSCOM (US Transportation Command)

88 VS - VZ -

89 WA - WF DMA (Defense Mapping Agency) (note 2)

90 WG - WL US Army

91 WM - WR USTRANSCOM (US Transportation Command)

92 WS - WZ -

93 YA - YF DIS (Defense Investigative Service) (note 3)

94 YG - YL USTRANSCOM (US Transportation Command)

95 YM - YR USSTRATCOM (US Strategic Command)

96 YS - YZ -

97 ZA - ZF OSD (Office of the Secretary of Defense)

98 ZG - ZL -

99 ZM - ZR -

100 ZS - ZZ -

101 XA - XZ White House Military Office

Notes: 1) DCA (Defense Communications Agency) has been renamed as DISA (Defense Information Systems Agency)

2) DMA (Defense Mapping Agency) has been incorporated into NIMA (National Imagery and Mapping Agency), now named NGA (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency)

3) DIS (Defense Investigative Service) has been renamed as DSS (Defense Security Service) 4) DLA (Defense Logistics Agency) is listed without any assigned blocks

Those assignments could very well change over time, especially when new organizations and

commands are created or deactivated.

Recently, many of the US-led Operations and Exercises received more often Nicknames that

are not in line with the assigned blocks, but instead are supposed to sound "patriotic" or

maybe "inspiring". For some insight on how some of the more popular operations' names

were assigned, see the following interesting article at http://carlisle-

www.army.mil/usawc/Parameters/1995/sieminsk.htm.

1.5 Permanently Assigned First Words for Two-Word

Nicknames

The following words were at one time or another permanently assigned to a specific

department or user for use as first word in two-word nicknames. It includes only those words

explicitly listed as "permanently assigned first words" in one of our primary sources, and is

certainly incomplete. If a using agency no longer exists, the name assignment may have been

cancelled, inherited by its successor, or reassigned to another user. Also, nicknames older than

the permanent assignment may start with the word although they did not originate from the

listed user.

So far, primarily U.S. Air Force names are listed. Source [7] includes also

many non-USAF first words, which will be added to the list as well.

First Word Assigned To

AMALGAM NORAD

AMAZON NORAD Cheyenne Mountain

AMBUSH NORAD

ANCHOR NORAD

ANGRY NORAD

ANTHEM NORAD

ANTLER NORAD

ASSURED USEUCOM

BACHELOR USPACOM

BACK USPACOM

BACON USPACOM

BADGE USPACOM

BADGER USN Pacific Fleet

BAG USPACOM

BALANCE USPACOM; joint exercises

BALE USPACOM

BALLISTIC USN Pacific Fleet

BALM USPACOM

BANJO USPACOM

BANNER USPACOM

BANYAN USPACOM

BASIC USPACOM

BASTION Pacific Fleet

BATON USPACOM

BEACH USN Pacific Fleet

BEAN USN Pacific Fleet

BEAR USN Pacific Fleet

BEARD USN Pacific Fleet

BEARER USN Pacific Fleet

BEARING USN Pacific Fleet

BEAUTY USN Pacific Fleet

BEAVER USN Pacific Fleet

BEIGE USN Pacific Fleet

BELFRY USN Pacific Fleet

BELL USN Pacific Fleet

BELT USN Pacific Fleet

BENCH PACAF (Pacific Air Forces)

BEND PACAF (Pacific Air Forces)

BENDIX PACAF (Pacific Air Forces)

BERET PACAF (Pacific Air Forces)

BERRY PACAF (Pacific Air Forces)

BEST PACAF (Pacific Air Forces)

BEVEL PACAF (Pacific Air Forces)

BUGGY USAF SAC (Strategic Air Command)

BURNING USSTRATCOM (formerly USAF SAC); RC-

135 missions

BUSY USSTRATCOM (formerly USAF SAC)

CHAIR ONR (Office of Naval Research)

CHALK USN (N89/N7SP); Special Access Programs

CHALLENGE USN Chief of Naval Operations (N6)

CHANNEL USN (N89/N7SP); Special Access Programs

CHARADE USN Chief of Naval Operations (N2)

CHECK USN Naval Criminal Investigative Service

CHEESE USN Chief of Naval Operations

CHERRY USN Chief of Naval Operations (N2)

CHIPPED USN Chief of Naval Operations (N2)

CHOCOLATE USN Chief of Naval Operations (N2)

CHURCH USN Chief of Naval Operations (N095)

CINNAMON USN Chief of Naval Operations (N2)

CIRCUIT USN Chief of Naval Operations (N6)

CLAMP USN Naval Criminal Investigative Service

CLARINET USN Chief of Naval Operations (N61)

CLASSIC USN Naval Security Group

CLAYMORE USN Chief of Naval Operations (N87)

CLIPPER USN Chief of Naval Operations (N3)

CLUSTER USN Naval Intelligence

COBBLER USAF AAC (Alaskan Air Command)

COBRA USAF Headquarters (Air Force Intelligence)

COLD USAF MAC (Military Airlift Command)

COLLEGE USAF ADC (Air Defense Command)

COLONY USAF Headquarters (AFCOR)

COLT USAFE (U.S. Air Forces in Europe)

COLUMBINE USAF AFAFC (Air Force Accounting &

Finance Center)

COMBAT USAF Headquarters

COMET USAF Headquarters (AFRDSC)

COMFORT AFRES (Air Force Reserve) Headquarters

COMFY USAFSS (USAF Security Service), Air

Intelligence Agency

COMMANDO PACAF (Pacific Air Forces)

COMPASS USAF Headquarters (AFRDR)

COMPETENT USAF TAC (Tactical Air Command)

COMPLY PACAF (Pacific Air Forces)

CONCRETE USAF Headquarters (AFOCE)

CONSTANT USAF Headquarters

CONTRACT USAF Headquarters (AFSLP)

CONTROL USAF Headquarters (AFIGO)

COOL USAF AAC (Alaskan Air Command)

COPE PACAF (Pacific Air Forces); exercises

COPPER USAF Headquarters (AFSPP)

CORAL USAF AFMC (Air Force Material Command)

CORONA USAF Headquarters (AFCCS)

CORONET

USAF ACC (Air Combat Command);

formerly TAC (Tactical Air Command);

fighter or bomber deployments

COSY USAF AFLC (Air Force Logistics Command)

COUGAR USAF AFAFC (Air Force Accounting &

Finance Center)

COUNCIL USAF Headquarters (AFBSA)

COUNTER USAF AFAFC (Air Force Accounting &

Finance Center)

COUNTRY USAF Communications Command

COVER USAF Headquarters

CREDIBLE USAF AFMC (Air Force Material Command)

CREEK USAFE (U.S. Air Forces in Europe)

CRESTED USAF Headquarters (AFOAP)

CREW USAF AFTAC (Air Force Technical

Applications Center)

CRISPY USAF MAC (Military Airlift Command)

CROWFOOT AFRES (Air Force Reserve) Headquarters

CROWN USAF ACC (Air Combat Command);

formerly TAC (Tactical Air Command)

CRYSTAL USAF AAC (Alaskan Air Command)

HACIENDA USAF OAR (Office of Aerospace Research)

HALLMARK AFRES (Air Force Reserve) Headquarters

HAMMER USAF AFCS (Air Force Communications

Service)

HANDY USAF ACIC (Aeronautical Chart and

Information Center)

HARDY USAF AFLC (Air Force Logistics Command)

HARVEST USAF Headquarters (AFSDC)

HASTY USAF ATC (Air Training Command)

HAVE USAF AFSC (Air Force Systems Command)

HAVEN USAF OAR (Office of Aerospace Research)

HAZY USAF ACIC (Aeronautical Chart and

Information Center)

HEAD USAF Headquarters

HEAVY USAF Headquarters (AFXPD)

HECTIC USAF ACIC (Aeronautical Chart and

Information Center)

HEROIC USAFA (U.S. Air Force Academy)

LOCK USAF AFCS (Air Force Communications

Service)

LOFTY USAFA (U.S. Air Force Academy)

LONG USAF Headquarters

LOOK USAF Headquarters (AFIDI, AFISA, AFIIN)

Norton AFB

LOW USAF ATC (Air Training Command)

LOYAL USAF AU (Air University)

PACER

USAF AFLC (Air Force Logistics

Command); Conversion/Modification/Update

programs

PAGE USAF Headquarters

PALACE USAF Headquarters

PANDA USAF AFCS (Air Force Communications

Service)

PANEL USAF Headquarters

PAPA USAF AAC (Alaskan Air Command)

PAPER USAF Headquarters

PARDON USAF Headquarters

PARTY USAF ATC (Air Training Command)

PATCH USAF Headquarters

PAVE USAF Headquarters(?)

PEACE USAF Headquarters; FMS/MDAP programs

PENNY USAF Headquarters

PERKY USAF Southern Command

PET USAFE (U.S. Air Forces in Europe)

RHYTHM USAF Headquarters

RICH USAF ADC (Air Defense Command)

RIDING USAF Security Service

RITZY Secretary of the Air Force (SAFOS)

RIVET USAF Headquarters; ELINT/ECM programs

SABER USAF Headquarters

SACRED USAF Headquarters

SAFE USAF Headquarters

SAGE USAF Security Service

SALTY USAF MAC (Military Airlift Command)

SANDY USAF AU (Air University)

SAVAGE USAF Southern Command

SCARLET USAF ADC (Air Defense Command)

SCENIC USAFA (U.S. Air Force Academy)

SCIENCE USAF Headquarters (AFRDC)

SCOPE USAF Headquarters

SCOUT USAF Headquarters

SEARCH USAF Headquarters (AFRRP)

SECURE USAF Headquarters, Kirtland AFB

SEED USAF Headquarters (AFRPD)

SEEK USAF Headquarters

SENIOR USAF Headquarters

SENTINEL USAF Headquarters

SENTRY USAF Headquarters

SERIOUS USAF AFSC (Air Force Systems Command)

SERVICE USAF Headquarters

SEVEN USAF Headquarters

1.6 Sources

[1] Department of Defense Regulation DoD 5200.1-R "DoD Information Security Program"

[2] HQ NORAD Regulation 11-3 "Administrative Practices - Code Words, Nicknames, and

Exercise Terms"

[3] OPNAV Instruction OPNAVINST 5511.37C "Nicknames, Exercise Terms and Code

Words"

[4] Marine Corps Order MCO 5030.2C "Policies and Procedures Concerning the Use of Code

Words, Nicknames, and Exercise Terms"

[5] Air Force Manual AFMAN 23-110, Volume 1, Part 4 "Standard Supply Codes"

[6] Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Manual CJCSM 3150.29A "Codename, Nichname,

and Exercise Term Report (NICKA)"

[7] William M. Arkin: "Code Names: Deciphering U.S. Military Plans, Programs And

Operations In The 9/11 World", Random House, 2005

2 List of Names

The listing includes mainly two-word nicknames for U.S. military aviation-related projects,

operations, exercises and foreign aid programs from around the 1960s and later. A few names

(e.g. single-word CIA codes), which would fall outside that scope are included nevertheless,

when one of our authors happened to come across it ;-).

Sources and Notes

(1) The initial name list was provided by Andreas Gehrs-Pahl, who collected the information

over a long time from numerous public sources.

(2) A large number of names was grabbed from the "Code Names Handbook", published by

Defense Marketing Services (D.M.S.) in 1983. The two-word names from the D.M.S. listing

can be downloaded as a ZIP'ed PDF file (323 KB). Many thanks go to Per Nyström, who has

done a fantastic job in scanning and OCR'ing the printed publication!

Notes: All names in our tables, whose entries were copied verbatim from the D.M.S.

handbook are shown in blue. This indicates that the information is taken directly from a 1983

publication, and may therefore be completely outdated. A few entries, which were definitely

incorrect, have not been ported from the D.M.S. handbook. Also, the term "cancelled" in a

D.M.S. description apparently does not mean that the program never actually started. It

probably can also indicate that the program had already been terminated at the time when

D.M.S. compiled their handbook.

Copyright Note: The D.M.S. data is made available with the permission of Forecast

International Inc. (http://www.forecastinternational.com). Forecast International is

the current owner of all former D.M.S. assets, and holds the copyright to all D.M.S.

publications. Regarding the publication of parts of the 1983 "Code Name

Handbook" on the Designation-Systems.Net website, Forecast

International issues the following disclaimer:

This data is circa 1983 and is not reflective of current and/or active

codenames. Forecast International Inc. accepts no responsibility for any

actions which may arise due to data inaccuracies.

(3) William M. Arkin: "Code Names: Deciphering U.S. Military Plans, Programs And

Operations In The 9/11 World", Random House, 2005

This source lists several thousand code names and nicknames for post-Cold War projects,

programs, exercises, etc.. A subset of these names has been added to the tables on this web

site.

The copying of names from the book to the tables has not yet been

started.

Name Tables

Entries, which only have "[...]" in the description column, are

preliminary and will eventually be either edited or removed.

A - ABLE MABLE ... AUTUMN FORGE

B - BABYLIFT ... BUZZ SPRING

C - CACHE MARKER ... CUTTY SARK

D - DAGUET ... DUST HARDNESS

E - EAGLE EYE ... EXOTIC DANCER

F - FACE LIFT ... FRESH NEWS

G - GALLANT HAND ... GYPSY DANGER

H - HALCON VISTA ... HYBLA GOLD

I - IDEALIST ... IVY OWL

J - JACK FROST I ... JUST CAUSE

K - KEE BIRD ... KING FISH

L - LA FAIRE VITE ... LUCKY DRAGON

M - MAD BOMBER ... MYSTIC STAR

N - NANCY RAE ... NYMPH VOICE

O - OCEAN WAVE ... OXEYE DAISY

P - PACER ACE ... PTARMIGAN TRACK

Q - QUICK BOLT ... QUIET FORCE

R - RANCH HAND ... RUSTY BOLT

S - SABER ACQUIRE ... SWIFTLIFT

T - TACIT BLUE ... TUBA GROOM

U - UNION FLASH ... URGENT FURY

V - VARSITY SPIRIT ... VORTEX

W - WALKING SHIELD ... WOODLAND COUGAR X - (none)

Y - YANKEE TEAM ... YOUNG TIGER Z - (none)

Comments and corrections to: Andreas Parsch

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Last Updated: 29 June 2005