Any of the RCAF folk know?

[complexintentions]

So flying up the Gulf a couple weeks back heard the callsign "Cougar 11" on the radio (we were in the Bahrain FIR at the time). Was idly wondering if perhaps it was a couple of the boys from 410 squadron dropping something on ISIS or do the Americans have this ident? The "Moose" (C17) have been flying around the region for awhile but hadn't heard Cougar before.

Anyone in the know at liberty to say?

[complexintentions]

Oh, if only there was some sort of searchable database on the inter webs to look up such queries....if only...

Found it, sort of...but still couldn't tell from the voice if it was Amurrican or Canuck. It certainly didn't sound Dutch or Aussie.

http://www.the-guide.nl/callsign/split/c/8/

[AuxBatOn]

Theather callsings are different than our domestic callsigns.

[FICU]

Nightmare is my favourite!

[complexintentions]

Theather callsings are different than our domestic callsigns.

Err...yeah. Hence why I asked. I'll take that as a "No, it wasn't some aging CF-18's running amok".

"Nightmare" is good, but most of the flying on the civvie frequencies is transport/tankering/transiting. So "Whistler", "Elite", "Reach", etc. Not too many of the more aggro callsigns. "Python" once in awhile.

"Elite 27 approaching Tapdo on the boulevard 23 goin' tactical".

God I love the Americans on the radio!

[bradley]

To expand on what Auxbat said, theater callsign are not generally something to be posted on a public forum, but I can tell you that Moose isn't our C-17s.

[complexintentions]

Yeah one of my CF buddies finally got back to me and told me the same about "Moose". Figures, it's way too cool (and literal) to be a Canadian callsign for anything more than trainers in Sas-catch-chew-on.

Got the wing using "Cougar" from him as well, but don't worry, won't publicly name it...although those with the ability to do something with the information most assuredly already have it.

Be safe.

[flaps78]

My favourite callsign for a military aircraft was the RAF AWAC in Afghanistan starting in Jan.2003. Callsign
"Excalibur". The USAF AWAC callsign was "Warlord."

Flaps 78

[Nark]

To expand a little bit:
Here in the US we have agreements with our local area ATC to use a specific call sign. In my case it's "Lance"
However when we go beyond that area we have to switch a generic call sign of "Guard Copter" and the last 5 of our serial number. It's retarded and a mouth full, but I'm not paid enough to change that.

This applies to all (U.S.) military aircraft. Some units/squadrons/battalions have fixed callsigns like "Pad" or "Tori" so no matter where in the airspace system you'll hear that.

Like other have alluded callsigns change in theatre for obvious reasons.

[SAR_YQQ]

Same deal with Canadian ATC - RCAF can use their "tactical" call-signs while in Canadian airspace. If we cross an international border - we use CANFORCE.

My current USAF gig has fixed NAS call-signs and completely different ones if we ferry the aircraft overseas. When we operate overseas, we use something again completely different. Most times the overseas c/s don't have much to do with your aircraft type, squadron or mission - just something to keep people guessing.

[niss]

Has thundercock-1 been taken? I'm looking for something that would sound cool when I'm smashing bugs around southern Ontario.

[SAR_YQQ]

It's all yours buddy - have at 'er.

[Nark]

Niss,
You need to be "Thundercock 6"
I have no idea why the number 6, but that is the commanders "number."

[niss]

In that case I'll go with Thundercock-actual.

[niss]

Hypothetically if I did insist on calling myself Thundercock 1, would that violate any IC regulations? What if I insist it refers to a Rooster?