Military Slang

[Matt Wiser]

Aviation slang from the U.S. and NATO:

Fox one: Radar-guided missile fired (AIM-7, Sky Flash, Aspide)

Fox two: Heat-seeking missile fired: (AIM-9, ASRAAM, IRIS-T, Magic,etc)

Fox three: Active Radar Missile fired: (AIM-120, Meteor, MICA, Derby)

Fox four: Guns fired

Rifle: AGM-65 Maverick launch

Magnum: Antiradar missile launch (HARM, ALARM, Shrike, ARMAT)

Bingo: fuel state requires return to base

Jolly Greens: USAF Search and Rescue Helos (originally meant to be the HH-3 and HH-53 series)

Winchester: Out of ordnance

Chrome Dome: SAC airborne alert

Texaco (USN): Tanker aircraft

Splash: Enemy aircraft destroyed

Viper: Unofficial name for F-16s; pilots wanted this as the actual name instead of Fighting Falcon back in '79. Inspired by the Vipers in Battlestar Galactica. Also called Lawn Dart (for what happens when an F-16 loses its engine...)

Albino Eagle: F-15A/C; air-to-air only F-15s.

Beagles: F-15E Strike Eagles; Bomber Eagles...(WARNING: any derogratory use of either one is a good way to start a fight)

Bug: F/A-18A/B/C/D

Super Bug: F/A-18E/F; also known as Rhino (a name previously used for the F-4)