Air Force
Intelligence and Security Doctrine

Communications

VOICE CALLSIGN PROGRAM

This instruction sets up procedures for using voice callsigns to identify military aircraft, organizations, activities, bases, units, operational facilities (except global high frequency [HF] stations, and navigational aides), staff personnel, and geographical locations. It implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 33-2, C4 Systems Security. The United States Air Force (USAF) voice callsigns are used to establish and maintain voice communications within the Air Force. Specific personnel and activities of the Executive Branch, Department of Defense (DoD), Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), United States Army (USA), United States Navy (USN), United States Marine Corps (USMC), unified commands, and other government agencies are also included at the request of the JCS. Detailed instructions on acquiring and using voice callsigns are contained in the communications security (COMSEC) publication, AFKAO-1, USAF Voice Callsign Instructions. Send comments and suggested improvements on AF Form 847, Recommendation for Change of Publication, through channels, to the San Antonio-Air Logistics Center, Cryptologic Management Directorate, Key Management Division (SA-ALC/LTMKC), 230 Hall Boulevard, Suite 109, San Antonio TX 78243-7056. Send information copies to the Air Force Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Agency, Policy and Procedures Branch, (HQ AFC4A/XPXP), 203 West Losey Street, Room 1065, Scott AFB IL 62225-5224 and Headquarters United States Air Force, Directorate of Plans and Policy, Policy Division (HQ USAF/SCXX), 1250 Air Force, Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1250.

SUMMARY OF REVISIONS

This publication incorporates the requirements, information, and procedures formerly in Air Force Systems Security Instruction (AFSSI) 8200, (FOUO) The United States Air Force Voice Callsign Program (U) and reorganizes text. It also updates information previously contained in AFSSI 8200.

1. Terms Explained:
1.1. Voice Callsign:
1.1.1. A callsign provided primarily for voice communications.
1.1.2. Any combination of characters or pronounceable words that may be suffixed by two digits (01 through 99), used to establish identity, and to maintain voice communications.
1.2. Static Callsign. A nonchanging callsign that is permanently assigned to a specific purpose, unit, activity, or staff position.
1.3. Changing Voice Callsign. A callsign that is randomly generated, selected, and assigned to a specific purpose, unit, activity, or staff position, and changed at periodic intervals.
2. Procedures. Air Force activities will:

2.1. Use a spoken dictionary word as the basic callsign with a single- or two-digit suffix. Aircraft callsigns are restricted to 4- to 6-letter words; other callsigns may be one or two words, with a maximum of 15 characters. Certain minor deviations are permitted by AFKAO-1, Annex A.
2.2. Use voice callsigns to identify military aircraft, organizations, activities, bases, units, operational facilities, staff personnel, and geographical locations when establishing and maintaining voice communications.
2.3. Use changing callsigns to the maximum extent practicable to enhance the security of the Air Force.

Supersedes AFSSI 8200, 18 December 1992. Certified by: HQ USAF/SCXX (Colonel Leonard E. Kaplan)
OPR: SA-ALC/LTMKC (Mr. Les Soucie) Pages: 3/Distribution: F

2.4. Direct the mandatory use of changing callsigns for classified operations and missions, during exercises and contingency operations, and while conducting research, and development testing and evaluation programs.
2.5. Do not use the term "Air Force" (for example, "Air Force One", "Air Force Rescue", and so forth) in the acronym of a major command's (MAJCOM) name, or any other acronym, abbreviation, or phonetic alphabet as a callsign prefix except as specifically authorized in AFKAO-1. NOTE: Commanders are responsible for making sure operations security (OPSEC) is considered before requesting static callsign assignment or other nonchanging variations outlined in AFKAO-1, Annex A, instead of changing callsigns (see AFI 10-1101, Operations Security [OPSEC] Instructions).
3. Exceptions to Standard Procedures:

3.1. Global HF systems are identified by the geographical name of the station or location (for example, "Kelly AFB", "Andrews AFB", "Luke AFB", and so forth).
3.2. Aircraft control facilities are identified by using the base, location, and service required (for example, "Kelly Homer Beacon", "Andrews GCA", "Nellis Tower", and so forth). (See Allied Communications Publication [ACP] 121/US Supplement 2, Communications Instructions General Air-Ground.)
3.3. Security police forces on base with priority A or B resources may devise their callsigns according to Air Force Handbook (AFH) 31-218, Volume 2, Law Enforcement Handbook, Procedures, and Operations (to be published).
3.4. Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) callsigns are managed and assigned by HQ AFC4A, Long-Haul Communications Systems Branch (HQ AFC4A/SYXR), 203 West Losey Street, Room 3065, Scott AFB IL 62225-5234.
4. General Information:

4.1. SA-ALC/LTMKC manages the voice callsign program for HQ USAF. Address communications concerning this program to SA-ALC/LTMKC as follows:
4.1.1. Messages: DIR CRYPTO MGT KELLY AFB TX//LTMKC//
4.1.2. Correspondence SA-ALC/LTMKC, 230 Hall Boulevard, Suite 109, San Antonio TX 78243-7056
4.1.3. Telephone: DSN and STU III: 969-3127; Commercial: (210) 977-3127
4.2. Units will forward requests for callsign assignments, or proposed changes to existing assignments, through channels to appropriate MAJCOM callsign representative and to SA-ALC/LTMKC. MAJCOMs will validate assignments with SA-ALC/LTMKC.
4.3. The JCS, USA, USN, USMC, unified commands, and certain Executive Branch, State Department, and other DoD activities may submit requests to HQor direct to SA-ALC/LTMKC as appropriate.
5. Application of the United States Air Force Voice Callsign Program. The USAF Voice Callsign Program is administered through the following publications:

5.1. Procedures. AFKAO-1 contains detailed procedures for requesting, assigning, and using USAF voice callsigns. Order this specialized COMSEC publication through the host base COMSEC account.
5.2. Callsign Assignments:
5.2.1. AFKAI-1, USAF Voice Callsign Lists, contains worldwide voice callsign listings. AFKAI-1 also lists specific assignments for JCS, USA, USN, unified commands, other DoD activities, the State Department and certain Federal agencies.
5.2.2. AFKAI-2, The Air Combat Command (ACC) Standard AFKAI-1 Extract, is a special operational extract of the AFKAI-1. You may carry and use this extract aboard certain aircraft when authorized Controlling Authority.
5.2.3. AFKAI-4, WWABNCP and TACAMO Standard AFKAI-1 Extract, is a special operational extract of the AFKAI-1. You may carry and use this extract aboard worldwide airborne command posts (WWABNCP) and USN Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) aircraft.

CARL G. O'BERRY, Lt General, USAF

DCS, Command, Control, Communications, and Computers

AFPD 33-2, C4 Systems Security

AFI 10-1101, Operations Security (OPSEC) Instructions

AFH 31-218, Volume 2, Law Enforcement Handbook, Procedures and Operations

AFKAI-4, WWABNCP and TACAMO Standard AFKAI-1 Extract

AFKAI-2, The Air Combat Command (ACC) Standard AFKAI-1 Extract

AFKAI-1, USAF Voice Callsign Lists

AFKAO-1, USAF Voice Callsign Instructions

ACP 121/US Supplement 2, Communications Instructions General Air-Ground

Abbreviation or Definition
Acronym

AFC4A Air Force Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Agency

AFSSI Air Force Systems Security Instruction

COMSEC Communications Security

DoD Department of Defense

HF High Frequency

JCS Joint Chiefs of Staff

MAJCOM Major Command

OPSEC Operations Security

SA-ALC San Antonio-Air Logistics Center, San Antonio TX

TACAMO Take Charge and Move Out Aircraft (USN)

USA United States Army

USAF United States Air Force

USMC United States Marine Corps

USN United States Navy

WWABNCP Worldwide Airborne Command Post