HQ NORTH AMERICAN AEROSPACE DEFENSE COMMAND
Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado 80914-5002

NORAD REGULATION 11-3
25 August 1989

Administrative Practices

CODE WORDS, NICKNAMES, AND EXERCISE TERMS

This regulation tells how to assign and use code words, nicknames, and exercise terms. It applies to Headquarters, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), regions, and sectors.

1. References:

a. Department of Defense (DOD) 5200.1-R/Air Force Regulation (AFR) 205-1, Information Security Program.

b. Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Publication 1-03.19, JRS, General Use or Miscellaneous.

c. Joint Army, Navy, Air Force Publication (JANAP) 119(C), Joint Voice Call Sign Book.

d. Joint Army, Navy, Air Force Publication (JANAP) 299(S), US Joint Code Word Index.

2. Explanation of Terms:

a. Code Word. A single word from JANAP 299(S) which has an assigned clas- sified meaning to secure and safeguard its information about actual real-world military plans or operations classified as CONFIDENTIAL or higher. Code words are not assigned from JANAP to test, drill, or exercise activities. A code word is placed in one of three categories:

(1) Available. Allocated to the using command. Available code words individually will be unclassified until placed in the active category.

(2) Active. These are current and are assigned a classified meaning.

(3) Canceled. Formerly active, but discontinued due to compromise, suspected compromise, cessation, or completion of the operation to which it pertained. Each canceled code word will not be used for 2 years and remains canceled until returned to the active category.

b. Nickname. A combination of two separate unclassified words which is assigned an unclassified meaning and is used for unclassified administration, morale, or public information,

c. Exercise Term. A combination of two words, normally unclassified, to designate a test, drill, or exercise. Use an exercise term to prevent confusing exercise directives with actual operation directives.

d. Control Point. HQ NORAD Document Control (IMCA), is the central control point for code words, nicknames, and exercise terms. This office controls, reviews, and forwards activation, change, and cancellation requests to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

3. Code Words:

a. JCS allocates words or blocks of code words from JANAP 299(S).

b. CINCNORAD gets blocks of code words from OJCS/J3/Combat Operations Sup- port Division (CSOD) and reallocates them within the Command.

c. Activate code words only to:

(1) Designate a classified military plan or operation.

(2) Designate classified geographic locations in conjunction with plans or operations.

(3) Conceal intentions in discussions and messages or other documents about plans, operations, or geographic locations.

d. Using organizations:

(1) Assign a specific meaning, classified TOP SECRET, SECRET, or CONFIDENTIAL commensurate with security, to a code word. Code words are not used to cover unclassified meanings.

(2) Avoid using a code word repeatedly for similar purposes. Example: If the initial phase of an operation is designated "Meaning," succeeding phases should not be designated "Meaning II" and "Meaning III," but should have differ- ent code words.

4. Nicknames:

a. JCS allocates letter groups to unified and specified commands. NORAD is assigned AM through AR, EA through FF, JM through JR, and VG through VL.

b. Assignment of the first word nickname identifies the using agency (see figure 1).

ORGANIZATION -   PRIMARY -   SECONDARY

HQ NORAD -   ANCHOR -   ANGLE

ALASKAN NORAD REGION (ANR) -   VILLAGE -   VIEW

CONUS NORAD REGION -   ARCHER -   VIGIL

CONUS SOUTHEAST SECTOR -   ARGUS -   FELL

CONUS SOUTHWEST SECTOR -   FAVOR -   FEW

CONUS NORTHEAST SECTOR -   FAMOUS -   FEAST

CONUS NORTHWEST SECTOR -   FALL -   FERRY

CANADIAN NORAD REGION -   FANCY -   FEATHER

CANADIAN NORAD SECTOR EAST -   FARM -   FEATURE

CANADIAN NORAD SECTOR WEST -   FARE -   FEED

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN AIR FORCE BASE -   VISOR -   VINE

Figure 1. Assignment of First-Word Nicknames.

c. Nicknames may be assigned to actual, real-world events, projects, move- ment of forces, and other nonexercise activities involving elements of informa- tion of any classification category. However, the nickname with the description or meaning it represents along with the relationship of the nickname and its meaning must be unclassified. A nickname is not designed to achieve a security objective.

d. Avoid using the following as nicknames:

(1) Any two-word combination voice call sign found in JANAP 119. Note: Single words in JANAP 119 may be used as part of a nickname if the first word of the nickname does not appear in JANAP 299.

(2) Combination of words including the word "project," "exercise," or "operation."

(3) Words that may be used correctly either as a single word or as two words, such as "moonlight."

(4) Exotic words, trite expressions, and well-known commercial trade- marks.

(5) Names of countries, states, and proper nouns.

5. Exercise Terms:

a. These terms may be assigned only to tests, drills, or exercises to emphasize the event as a test, drill, or exercise, and not an actual operation. The exercise term, description, or meaning it represents and the relationship of the exercise term and its meaning can be classified or unclassified.

b. A classified exercise term is designated to simulate actual use of code words and must use identical security procedures throughout the planning, preparation, and execution of the test, drill, or exercise to ensure realism,

(1) When preparing exercise messages, the controlling exercise term follows the message classification and originator's office symbol, and precedes the text of the message. Internal instructions, such as the attention line or reference, follow the exercise term.

(2) The controlling exercise term is again repeated at the end of the message text. Example: "UNCLAS EFTO EXERCISE FERTILE BRAVE 88-1 FOR NCZ. Reference Northeast Sector OpOrd... for selected routes. EXERCISE FERTILE BRAVE 88-1.11

(3) Use Arabic numerals with exercise terms, such as FENCING VIRGO 88- 1. Also, a letter used to denote an area is permissible, such as, FENCING VIRGO 88-1-W denotes a Westerner training area. The letter "R" denotes a rescheduled exercise, such as, AMALGAM MUTE 88-2-R. However, the use of phonetic words (ALFA, BRAVO, and so forth) with exercise terms is not permissible, such as FENCING VIRGO ALFA.

(4) Assignment of first-word exercise terms identifies the using agency (see figure 2).

ORGANIZATION -   FIRST WORD

HQ NORAD -   AMALGAM or VIGILANT

ALASKAN NORAD REGION (ANR) -   FENCING

CONUS NORAD REGION -   FALCON

CONUS SOUTHEAST SECTOR -   FEDERAL

CONUS SOUTHWEST SECTOR -   FALLING

CONUS NORTHEAST SECTOR -   FERTILE

CONUS NORTHWEST SECTOR -   FELIX

CANADIAN NORAD REGION -   FABRIC

CANADIAN NORAD SECTOR EAST -   FACTOR

CANADIAN NORAD SECTOR WEST -   FACULTY

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN AIR FORCE BASE -   AMAZON

L Figure 2. Assignment of First-Word Exercise Terms.

(5) Assignment of second-word exercise terms identifies the specific exercise function (exercise, test, evaluation, inspection, and so forth). (See attachment 1.)

6. How to Request Code Words, Nicknames, and Exercise Terms:

a. Each directorate requesting a code word submits a letter to HQ NORAD/ IMCA for "Code Word Control Point Officer" with the following information: name, rank, and (AV) phone number of the primary and at least one alternate point of contact and their sample signature. Such letters are updated yearly or upon transfer of individuals.

b. Each requesting directorate must submit a letter to HQ NORAD/IMCA for "Nicknames and Exercise Terms Control Point Officer" with the following information: name, rank, and (AV) phone number of the primary and at least one alternate point of contact and their sample signature. Such letters are updated yearly or upon transfer of individuals. Use AF Form 608, Nickname, Assignment/ Change/Cancellation Request (original plus two), to request a nickname activa- tion, change, or cancellation, The request must be signed by the primary or alternate control point officer. Submit requests to HQ NORAD/IMCA. (Note: NORAD Sectors submit requests through appropriate NORAD region in turn to HQ NORAD/IMCA.)

c. Procedures for selecting, assigning, and reporting exercise terms are identical to those used for nicknames as contained in subparagraph b above. However, when reporting an exercise term on AF Form 608, enter in block 7 the phrase, "This is an Exercise Term." Update these requests yearly or upon transfer of appointed individuals.

7. Annual Verification.

Before 15 January of each year, each agency verifies currency of assigned code words, nicknames, and exercise terms. Send this validation to HQ NORAD/IMCA.

8. Classification, Downgrading, and Security:

a. Code Words:

(1) When developing a plan or planning an operation, the code word and its meaning have the same classification. When the plan must be sent to other

organizations, the using organization may downgrade the code words below the classification assigned to their meanings. Classify code words at least CONFIDENTIAL.

(2) Cancel a code word which is replaced by another code word because of compromise or suspected compromise or any other reason and classify it CONFIDENTIAL for 2 years. After that time, the code word becomes unclassified.

(3) When a plan or operation is discontinued or completed and is not replaced by a similar plan or operation, but the meaning cannot be declassified; the code word assigned is canceled and classified CONFIDENTIAL for 2 years or until the meaning is declassified, whichever comes first. After that time, the code word becomes unclassified.

(4) In every case, when a code word is used, place the security clas- sification of the code word in parentheses immediately following the code word. Example: "Label(C)."

b. Nicknames: Nicknames are not classified.

c. Exercise Terms: Follow procedures described in para a. above.

9. Security:

a. When correspondence mentions active code words, avoid bringing the code words and their meanings together, Handle them separately and dispatch related correspondence at different times so they do not travel through mail or courier channels together.

b. Avoid using code words for to addresses, return addresses, shipping designators, file indicators, call signs, identification signals, and so on.

c. The meaning of a code word may be used in a message or other documents with the code word only when essential. Active code words may be used in cor- respondence or other documents forwarded to addressees who may or may not know the meaning. If the context of a document contains detailed instruction or similar information which indicates the purpose or nature of the related mean- ing, avoid using the active code word.

OFFICIAL

JOHN L. PIOTROWSKI
General, USAF
Commander in Chief

G. A. STANSELL
Colonel, USAF
Director of Information Management Terms

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Updates procedures.

DISTRIBUTION: X

HQ 158 TFG/DOTA, IAP, Burlington VT 05401-5895 ................................ 1
HQ 159 TFG/DO, USNAS, New Orleans IA 70413-5000 ............................... 1
HQ 962d Airborne Warning and Control Squadron, Elmendorf AFB AK 99506-5000 ....1
HQ 120 FIG/DO, IAP, Great Falls MT 59401-5000 ................................. 1
HQ 184 TFG/DOC, McConnell AFB KS 67221-6225 ................................... 1
HQ 57 FWW/DOOX, Nellis AFB NV 89191-5000 ...................................... 1
Aerospace Network, Inc., 4620 Edison Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80915 ..........1

ASSIGNMENT OF SECOND WORD EXERCISE TERMS

SECOND WORD -   ASSOCIATED MEANING

ANGEL -   Sector-coordinated Unit Level FIX (ROCC/SOCC Controlled Intercepts)

ARIZONA -   Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Base Internal System Training Mission (STM)

BRAVE -   Region-sponsored System FIX

CHIEF -   JCS-approved, CINCNORAD-sponsored FIX

DOLLY -   HQ NORAD Battle Staff Exercise

GAIN -   Region/sector-sponsored Internal ROCC/SOCC CPX

GOLD -   Sector-coordinated Unit Level FIX (autonomous intercept procedures)

INDIAN -   Region-sponsored System CPX

KEYNOTE -   Region-coordinated, Sector-sponsored FIX

LEADER -   Recall of Airborne Forces (FIX)

LIBEL -   Region-coordinated, Sector-sponsored System CPX

MUTE -   NORAD IG Evaluation

OVERVIEW -   JCS-approved, CINCNORAD-sponsored CPX

PIPE -   Region-sponsored Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC) Warning and Reporting System (WRS) Training Exercise

RICE -   SOCC-sponsored Internal CPX (Battle Staff/BSSC/Crew training)

SPADE -   Region/sector No-Notice AST

UNION -   Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Base SPACC Training

VANTAGE -   Sector-coordinated/scheduled Interoperability FIX with US Navy Units

VIRGO -   Special Exercise or Test (FIX)

WARRIOR -   JCS-approved, CINCNORAD-sponsored FIX

YELL -   FE14A Exercise