SADDLED

• Informative call from wingman/ element indicating the return to briefed formation position.

SAM (Direction)

• Visual acquisition of a SAM or SAM launch; should include position.

SANDWICHED

• A situation where an aircraft/ element is positioned between opposing aircraft/ elements.

SAUNTER

• Fly at best endurance.

SCRAM

• Emergency directive to egress for defensive or survival reasons. (Direction)

SCRAMBLE

• Takeoff as quickly as possible.

SCUD

• Any threat tactical/ theater ballistic missile (TBM).

SEPARATE

• Leave a specific engagement; may or may not reenter.

SHACKLE

• One WEAVE, a single crossing of flight paths; maneuver to adjust/ regain formation parameters.

SHADOW

• Follow indicated target.

SHIFT

• Directive to shift laser illumination.

SHOOTER

• Aircraft/ unit designated to employ ordnance.

SHOTGUN

• Prebriefed weapons state at which SEPARATION/ BUGOUT should begin.

SKATE

• Informative call/ directive to execute launch and leave tactics.

SKIP IT

• Veto of fighter COMMIT, usually followed with further directions.

SKOSH

• Aircraft is out of or unable to employ active radar missiles.

SKUNK

• A radar or visual maritime surface contact whose identity is unknown.

SLAPSHOT

• Directive for an aircraft to employ a range-unknown high-speed antiradiation (Type/ Bearing) missile (HARM) against a specified threat at the specified bearing.

SLIDE

• Directive call to high value airborne asset (HVAA) to continue present mission while extending range from target in response to perceived threat.

SLOW*

• Target with a ground speed of 300 knots or less.

SMASH

• Directive to turn on/ off anticollision lights.

SMOKE

• Smoke marker used to mark a position.

SNAKE

• Directive to oscillate an IR pointer about a target.

SNAP (Direction)

• An immediate vector to the group described.

SNIPER

• Directive for an aircraft to employ a range-known HARM against a specified threat at the specified location.

SNOOZE

• Directive/ informative call indicating initiation of EMCON procedures.

SORT

• Directive to assign responsibility within a group; criteria can be met visually, electronically (radar), or both.

SORTED

• Sort responsibility has been met.

SOUR

• Equipment indicated is operating inefficiently.
• Invalid response to an administrative IFF check. (Opposite of SWEET.)

SPADES

• An integrated group/ radar contact which lacks the ATO (or equivalent) IFF modes and codes required for the ID criteria.

SPARKLE

• Target marking by IR pointer; target marking by gunship or forward air controller (airborne) (FAC-A) using incendiary rounds.

SPIKE

• RWR indication of an AI threat in track, launch, or unknown mode; include bearing, clock position, and threat type, if known.

SPIN

• Directive/ informative call to execute a prebriefed timing/ spacing maneuver.

SPITTER

• An aircraft that has departed from the engagement or is departing the engaged (Direction) fighters' targeting responsibility.

SPLASH (ID)

• 1. (A/ A) Target destroyed.
• 2. (A/ G) Weapons impact.

SPLIT

• An informative call that a flight member is leaving information to engage a threat; visual may not be maintained.

SPOOFING

• Informative call that voice deception is being employed.

SPOT*

• Acquisition of laser designation.

SQUAWK ( )

• Operate IFF as indicated or IFF is operating as indicated.

SQUAWKING

• An informative call denoting a bogey is responding with an IFF mode (#).

STACK

• Two or more groups/ contacts/ formations with a high/ low altitude separation in relation to each other.

STATUS

• Request for tactical situation.

STEADY

• Directive to stop oscillation of IR pointer.

STEER

• Set magnetic heading indicated.

STERN

• Request for, or directive to, intercept using stern geometry.

STINGER

• Within a group, a formation of three or more aircraft with a single aircraft in trail.

STOP

• Stop IR illumination of a target.

STRANGER

• Unidentified traffic that is not associated with the action in progress.

STRANGLE ( )

• Turn off equipment indicated.

STRIP

• Individual fighter/ section is leaving the formation to pursue separate attacks.

STRIPPED

• Informative call from wingman/ element indicating out of briefed formation/ position.

STROBE

• Radar indications of noise jamming.

SUNSHINE

• Directive or informative call indicating illumination of target is being conducted with artificial illumination.

SUNRISE

• Informative call that C functions are available;opposite of MIDNIGHT

SWEET

• 1. Equipment indicated is operating efficiently.
• 2. Valid response to an administrative IFF check. (Opposite of sour.)

SWITCH (ED)

• Indicates an attacker is changing from one aircraft to another.