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:

Code Words
Nicknames
Exercise Terms
Call Signs
NATO ASCC Reporting Names
Popular Names
Unit and Base Names
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.

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)
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")
Document Name: "JANAP-119"
Document Type: "Joint Army-Navy-Air Force Publication (JANAP)"
Full Name: "Joint Voice Call Sign Book"
Document Name: "JANAP-299"
Document Type: "Joint Army-Navy-Air Force Publication (JANAP)"
Full Name: "U.S. Joint Code Work Index"
Document Name: "ACP-100"
Document Type: "Allied Communications Publications (ACP)"
Full Name: "U.S. Call Sign and Address Group System-Instructions and Assignment"
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. 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.

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 ;-).

Additional Names

In addition to the list following below, we have made available all two-word nicknames listed in the "Code Names Handbook", published by Defense Marketing Services (D.M.S.) in 1983. 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!

For the time being, the D.M.S. data is provided "as is", to make it available to the interested community as soon as possible. In the long term, however, it is planned to integrate the nicknames from D.M.S. into the HTML list, and sort out inconsistencies and outdated information.

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.

Quick links to the most important first words of the nicknames, together with their suspected scope:

Cobra ... (RADINT/TELINT/SIGINT intelligence-gathering systems?)
Combat ... (TAC (and/or PACAF?) OpOrd/"Proword")
Commando ... (AFSOC or PACAF(?) OpOrd/"Proword")
Compass ... (ELINT/PHOTINT/SIGINT intelligence-gathering systems?)
Have ... (AFSC and/or DARPA/ARPA programs)
Pacer ... (AFLC Conversion/Modification/Update programs)
Pave ...
Peace ... (FMS/MDAP programs)
Rivet ... (ELINT/ECM systems)
Seek ...
Senior ... (USAF HQ/Pentagon program)
Teal ...

Able Mable	Deployment of RF-101C Voodoos to Vietnam
African Eagle	Exercise (or Contingency), Morocco, 1997
Airlift Rodeo	Excercise/Competition, AMC (was MAC), International Air Mobility Competition (airlift-tanker competition), biannual, since 1962, international since 1979, at Pope AFB, NC, until 1992; (R '94: Little Rock AFB, AS, R '96: ?, R '98: McChord AFB, WA, 06/21/1998-06/26/1998, R 2000: Pope AFB, NC, 05/07/2000-05/../2000)
Allied Force	Operation, NATO, USA-led, attack on Serbia, part of Kosovo Campaign, 03/24/1999 - 06/10/1999
Allied Harbour	Operation, NATO, USA-led, XXX, part of Kosovo Campaign, 04/04/1999 - 07/10/1999
Ample Train	Exercise, United Kingdom, annual, 1997
Aquacade	US ELINT satellite, new designation of the platform previously known as Rhyolite
Aquatone	Initial program name for CIA-sponsored U-2
Arc Light	OpOrd for B-52D/Fs from Andersen AFB, Guam, and KC-135s from Kadena AB, and later CCK (1967+), bombing North Vietnames targets (and refueling the B-52s), 1965+
Arctic Candy	OpOrd, see Burning Candy
Ardent Ground	Exercise, NATO, Allied Forces Central Europe Mobile Forces, annual, live-fire, AG 2000: 05/01/2000 - 05/06/2000+, in Germany/Italy/Hungary
Argus	ELINT satellite (advanced Rhyolite)
Atlas Response	Operation and JTF, for increased (humanitarian) assistance to flood-ravaged African nations (Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe), first people in country: 02/16/1000, JTF established: 03/06/2000, aerial operations ended: 03/26/2000, all personell to be back at home bases: 04/04/2000, 7 C-130s (including 1 C-130 with 'Keen Sage' reconnaissance system) from 37th AS, 86th AW, Ramstein AB, 3+ HH-60Gs from 41st RQS, Moody AFB, GA, (some crews from 56th RQS, Keflavik, Iceland, and 4 MH-53Ms from 21st SOS, and 2+ MC-130Ps from 67th SOS, both from 352nd SOG, RAF Mildenhall, also deliveries by C-5A (including all the helicopters) from 436th AW, Dover AFB, DE, and also C-17A (earlier). DoD money allocated: $37 million, and $50+ million in aid. About 500 personell at Hoedspruit AFB, South Africa and about 710 (600 USAF) involved, more than 580 sorties flown, about 970 tons of cargo and 1,200 passengers transported. In addition, 14 aircraft were chartered under USAID grant and are planed for an expanded air support capability until emergency road repairs are completed.
Aurora	USAF, classified program, most-likely for B-2A procurment
Babylift	Operation, Evacuation of orphans from South Vietnam, 1972
Back Road	Operation, 27 B-52F strike on Laos, 02/27/1966
Bald Eagle	USAF counterpart to CIA's Aquatone; big-wing B-57 Canberra, became RB-57D
Baltic Candy	OpOrd, see Burning Candy
Baltic Challenge	Exercise, joint air/land/sea, NATO and PFP, annual, BC `98: Lithuania, 07/09/1998-07/19/1998
Balikatan 2000	Exercise, joint with Philippines, including HH-60G from 33rd RQS and MC-130H from 353rd SOG, Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, C-130s from 36th AS, Yokota AB, Japan, etc. "Balikatan" is Philippino for "shouldering the load together", Phase I: 01/31/2000 - 02/06/2000, Phase II: 02/21/2000 - 03/13+/2000)
Barrel Roll	OpOrd for daylight attack missions over Laos, 03/03/1965-1970+
Beartrap	USN, classified anti-submarine aircraft program
Bernie	USAF, classified intellgence program
Best Ball	Operation [...]
Beverly Morning	PACAF (?) Exercise, monthly (?), joint, mobility, 98-05: at Kadena AB, 05/1998
Big Belly	Conversion program to enlarge conventional bomb load of B-52Ds, 12/1965-
Big Crow	NKC-135A/E '55-3132', Airborne Electronic Warfare Laboratory, used for ECM testing, 1973+
Big Daddy	NKC-135A '55-3134' (might be nick name), participated in "Starfish" nuclear tests, 1962
Big Eye	[...]
Big Four	'Mod 1000', B-52A/C/D/E/F/G/H modification program for low-altitude operations, 1959-1963
Big Lift	[...]
Big Look	Component of EP-3E Aries program
Big Safari	Conversion program for rapid fielding of various specially modified C-130, C-135, RPVs, and other aircraft, 1950s-today
Big Team	Conversion program for rapid fielding of specially modified C-135 and other aircraft, 1967+
Black Colt	smaller version of Black Horse TAV
Black Crow	Equipment to detect the ignition systems of piston engines. Fitted to AC-130 gunships
Black Fly	Program including Fairchild Sailwing drone
Black Horse	USAF study for HC-fueled air-refuelable TAV