Code Names for U.S.

Military Projects and

Operations
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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
First Letters Command / DOD Component / Agency
Number
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)
USSTRATCOM (formerly USAF SAC); RC-
BURNING
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)
USAF AFAFC (Air Force Accounting &
COLUMBINE
Finance Center)
COMBAT USAF Headquarters
COMET USAF Headquarters (AFRDSC)
COMFORT AFRES (Air Force Reserve) Headquarters
USAFSS (USAF Security Service), Air
COMFY
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)
USAF ACC (Air Combat Command);
CORONET formerly TAC (Tactical Air Command);
fighter or bomber deployments
COSY USAF AFLC (Air Force Logistics Command)
USAF AFAFC (Air Force Accounting &
COUGAR
Finance Center)
COUNCIL USAF Headquarters (AFBSA)
USAF AFAFC (Air Force Accounting &
COUNTER
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)
USAF AFTAC (Air Force Technical
CREW
Applications Center)
CRISPY USAF MAC (Military Airlift Command)
CROWFOOT AFRES (Air Force Reserve) Headquarters
USAF ACC (Air Combat Command);
CROWN
formerly TAC (Tactical Air Command)
CRYSTAL USAF AAC (Alaskan Air Command)
HACIENDA USAF OAR (Office of Aerospace Research)
HALLMARK AFRES (Air Force Reserve) Headquarters
USAF AFCS (Air Force Communications
HAMMER
Service)
USAF ACIC (Aeronautical Chart and
HANDY
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)
 USAF ACIC (Aeronautical Chart and
HAZY
Information Center)
HEAD USAF Headquarters
HEAVY USAF Headquarters (AFXPD)
USAF ACIC (Aeronautical Chart and
HECTIC
Information Center)
HEROIC USAFA (U.S. Air Force Academy)
USAF AFCS (Air Force Communications
LOCK
Service)
LOFTY USAFA (U.S. Air Force Academy)
LONG USAF Headquarters
USAF Headquarters (AFIDI, AFISA, AFIIN)
LOOK
Norton AFB
LOW USAF ATC (Air Training Command)
LOYAL USAF AU (Air University)
USAF AFLC (Air Force Logistics
PACER Command); Conversion/Modification/Update
programs
PAGE USAF Headquarters
PALACE USAF Headquarters
USAF AFCS (Air Force Communications
PANDA
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