The Three Rules of Callsigns
- If you don’t already have one, you will be assigned one by your “buddies”.
- You probably won’t like it.
- If you complain and moan too much about 1. and 2., you’ll get a new nickname you’ll like even less!
So, how do you get a callsign?
Do something stupid or have it fit with your last name. Obvious examples, ‘Crash’ or LT ‘Cheese’ Kraft. Sometimes it’s based on a physical appearance thing like ‘Carrot’. After you’ve earned the respect of your buddies, you’ll get a more ‘heroic’ callsign.
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3 Latest additions
Boom-Boom
‘Jeff ‘Boom-Boom’ Paulk, a 10TFS pilot got his name for a funny thing. He used to be the Nr2 Quaterback at the Georgia U football team, so a very competitive guy. One night at the O’Club one of the Sabres challenged all his bro’s with the Sabre coin. When a pilot challenges another with the… Read More »Callsigns
Read MoreAll callsigns from A-Z
Audrey
I was the Superintendent of the F-15 Alert at Osan AB, SKorea. One of the Rodan pilots, and fellow Macintosh enthusiast, was a Captain Meadows. Hence, Audrey.
B-DU
While at the Kun, on my first pop pattern ride on Kooni Range, I lost a bomb…somewhere. In debrief, my HUD tape confirmed I inadvertently released a BDU-33 (in the pop). At that same time, our squadron interpreter received a phone call from an irate Korean National (pastor of a church in the small village of Maehyang). I had lofted that munition 2 miles off range and shacked his church! God forgave me, because it was a Monday (His house was empty). My fellow Pantons were less forgiving. “B-DU…so it is written…”
B-Line
First name Brian. During FTXs and/or flights, I would "B-line it" towards the objective.
B.B.
A drunken night at the Kun (Juvats of course) for a young Lt. 3 seconds away from being named Opie for the rest of my life when another punk saved me. Offered up B.B. to the crowd – complete silence since no one could figure out what B.B. meant. "Has anyone ever been stuck next to this kid at the bar? Blah Blah (f^*$ing) Blah…so B.B. for short." No vote, no more names, just a nametag with B.B. on it. What is Good!
BA
Given to a pilot who had a quite hefty posterior. Stands for Big A$$.
Back fire
Well it was my one-on-one combat training mission in PAF F-16 squadron. When I found my instructor at my tail I rapidly fired as many flares as we were allowed to show off. My instructor some how got in a wrong place so he had to face the back fire. Then at debrief he held me responsable for "firing backwards" at him rather than to fire when he was in front, it got a ludicrous sitcom as my backfire seemed to be quite accurate. My Squad-mates labeled me a 'back fire' shooter and it became a funny tactic.
Badger
As a specialist helicopter pilot, we were involved in night time flying ,almost all of the time.One of my buddies got the nickname of Vampire, I fell over laughing, I had to ask,why that call sign, he responded by saying he was told only vampire bats fly at night.
Before I could say anything else, he responded with a reply, you have one too.
Badger, how come I asked , he responded, they only come out at night looking for something to eat, just like you, every time you fly, you look for a candy bar to put into your flight suit pocket.
Bagel
Early in my career smoked out a kitchen when I left a bagel I was toasting for too long (got distracted) and caused a fire alarm to go off, sending everyone outside that evening. Apparently a coin toss was held as it was either going to be "toast" or "bagel", and "bagel" won out.<p>Hated it at first, but the name grew on me.</p>
Bags
Before taking an "incentive" flight in the Viper, the crew chief gave me two hefty trash bags to stuff in my boots "just in case". I told him I would be just fine, even one would be more than enough, and not necessary. Filled em' both…
Baja
Went off roading in a jet and got stuck in the mud after sliding off the runway.
Baldy
Laughlin 1993: Female student married a classmate who got Vipers (F-16 aka "Lawn Dart") BALD-D: Bangs A Lawn Dart Driver
BALZ
Belonged to a Viper driver with a last name of Benoit
Banana
Last name Hammock.
BANJO
Met a couple guy's from a 135 unit. They told me about this pilots call sign which translates to Busted A$$ Naked Jacking Off.
Banya
I was new to the squadron and going through MQT and was looking for a car. My flight commander was selling his VW jetta, so we haggled on a price. We came to an impasse, when I said my wife and I would take him and his wife out to dinner as a tie breaker. So, it came from the episode of Seinfeld when Jerry gives Kenny Banya an Armani suit, and Banya has to take Jerry to dinner – or something like that. I tell the girls in the Nellis club that it means "long like vine" in Swahili.
Barbie
My pal and I were discussing callsigns before entering a briefing where they were at least vaguely decided. We found several that we thought were downright hilarious. When I went in and introduced myself, my buddy loudly proposed Barbie for mine and it stuck.
It's all right though, he ended up with TwinkleToes for his.
Barf
I'm a civilian, was riding in the trunk of a D/mod, trying to get my 9g+ pin.
Got to 9.2 on the meter, made it all the way back to the chocks too….
Barracuda
A guy who has a big and sharp nose
Batman
USAF Fighter Pilot : real name – Michael Keaton!
Batta
Marine Lt. Pohl while stationed in Iwakuni Japan seemed to take great pleasure in eating grasshoppers after drinking.. Batta means grasshopper in Japanese..
Battmann
Went blind 5 times in a ACM sortie during conversion. Hence: Blind All The Time Mann..
Bayonet
He thought it meant he was super-scary and warlike.
<p>We all knew it meant "not very sharp; used as a last resort".</p>
baywatch
A fun drunk memory during a boating incident that involved alot of swimming
BDU
Not the quickest guy in the squadron. Short for Big Dumb Unit – pronounced "Badoo"