Tactical call signs are used to identify squadrons over the radio or in messages without disclosing their actual identity to unauthorized listeners. Their use dates to World War 2, but Marine helicopter squadrons first used call sign in combat during the Korean War.
In Korea, call signs changed on a regular basis; during the Vietnam War, squadrons might use the same call sign for more than a year. Today, squadrons deploying to a combat zone,i.e. Iraq and Afghanistan, are assigned a "theater" call sign for use during that deployment only.
If you know of any call signs that have been omitted, or if any I've listed are incorrect, let me know. hma1369
| Call sign | Squadron | Date | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABUSIVE | HML/A-269 Det B | 2008 | Iraq |
| ANTLER | HMM-268 | ca 2000 | |
| APOCALYPSE | HMLA-267 | 2011 | Afghanistan |
| ARCTIC STONE | HMM-764 | 1967 | Exercise "Golden Slipper" |
| ATLAS | HMLAT-303 | ca. 1982 | |
| AVALANCHE | HMLA-269 | 2005-6 | Iraq |
| BADGER | HML-268 | 1972-74 | |
| BARBARIAN | HMLA-367 | 2008 | Iraq |
| BARREL HOUSE | HMM-161 | 1965-66 | |
| BASEBALL | HMM-265 | ||
| BIGFOOT | HMH-466 | 2010 | Afghanistan |
| BIG IRON | HMM-365(Rein) | 2001 | Afghanistan |
| BIG MAC | HMM-165 (Rein) | 2007 | Iraq |
| BILOXI | HMM-165 | ||
| BISCUIT | VMO-6 | Oct 1951 | Korean War |
| BLANKET | HMR-161 | Feb 1952 | Korean War |
| BONNIE SUE | HMM-265 | 1965 | |
| BRAZEN | HMLA-369 | April 2007 | Iraq |
| BRILLO | HMM-161 | April 2007 | Iraq |
| BROiL | HML-167 | ||
| BUFFALO CITY | HMM-165 | 1966-67 | |
| CADAVER | VMO-6 | 1967 | |
| CAMEL DRIVER | HMH-461 | ||
| CAMPUS QUEEN | ProvMAG-39 | 1968 | |
| CARTEL | HMLA-269 | Jul 2007 | Iraq |
| CATTLE CALL | HMM-161 | Jul 1968 | |
| CHATTERBOX | HMM-262 | 1968 | |
| CHECKERBOARD | HMM-164 | ||
| CHESTER | VMO-6 | Apr 1951 | Korean War |
| CHLORINE | HMR-161 | Sept 1952 | Korean War |
| CLIP CLOP | HMM-362 | 1965 | |
| CODFISH | VMO-6 | Sept 1952 | Korean War |
| COMPRISE | HML-167 | 1968 | |
| CONDOR | HMH-464 | 1995- | |
| CONSUMPTION | HMH-363 | 1968 | used? |
| CONTEST | VMO-6 | June 1951 | Korean War |
| COYOTE | HMA/HMLA-775 | ||
| CROSSBILL | H&MS-17 | 1968 | 6 UH-34Ds assigned |
| CROSSBOW | VMMT-204 | ca. 2007 | |
| CYCLONE | VMO-3 | 1967 | SOG missions |
| CYCLOPS | HMH-366/466 (combined unit) | 2012 | Afghanistan "HMH-America" |
| DEADLOCK | VMO-2 | 1965 | |
| DEADLY | HML/A-269 | 2003 | Iraq |
| DEADWOOD | HMLA-369 | 2010 | Afghanistan |
| DEALER | HMLA-369 | 2010 | Afghanistan |
| DIMMER | HMH-463 | 1968 | |
| DIXIE CUP | VMO-3 | ||
| DOE/DOUGH | HMM-162 | ? | |
| DOGMA | HMH-362 | ca. 1969 | |
| DOUGHBOY | HMM-162 | 1970s | |
| DRAGON | HMM/VMM-265 | ||
| DREAM HOUR | H&MS-16 | 1965 | |
| DUNBAR | HMM-363 | 1967 | Op. DECK HOUSE |
| DUSTY | HMH-464 | 1981-95 | |
| EAGLE CLAW | VMO-6, HML-167, HML-367 | 1967-70 | SOG missions |
| ELUSIVE | H&MS-36 | 1965 | |
| ELVIS | HMM-261 | ca. 1990 | |
| EMBARRASS | VMO-6 | Aug 1951 | Korean War |
| EMBLEM | HMM-365 | ||
| EVIL EYES | HMM-163 | ||
| EXPRESS | VMM-266 | 2008 | Iraq |
| EXTERIOR | VMO-6 | Sept 1951 | Korean War |
| FATMAN | HMH-466 | 2006-7 | Iraq |
| FINGERPRINT | H&MS-16 | 1967 | Continued in use by O-1 Det |
| FIRECRACKER | VMO-6 | Jun 1953 | Korean War |
| FISTY | HMLA-169 | 2003 | Iraq |
| FLATE | VMO-6 | Apr 1951 | Korean War |
| FLYING TIGER | HMH-361 | ||
| FOLLOW | H&MS-17 | ca. 1966-68 | |
| FRINGE | HMR-161 | Apr 1952 | Korean War |
| FRITO | HMA-369 | ||
| FROSTY GOLD | HMM-262 | ||
| GERM | VMO-6 | June 1951 | Korean War |
| GOPHER | VMM-263 | 2011 | Afghanistan |
| GRAYHAWK | HMM/VMM-161 | ca. 2000 | |
| GUNFIGHTER | HMA-369 | ca. 1975 | |
| GUNRUNNER | HMA/HML/A-269 | ||
| GUNSHOT | HMLA-369 | 2005 | Iraq |
| HACKSAW | HMLA-169 | 2011-12 | Afghanistan |
| HAIRCUT | HMM-162 | 1967 | |
| HALEY | HMH-461 | ||
| HAMMERHEAD | HMH-366 | ||
| HANK GREENBERG | H&MS-36 | 1967 | |
| HASTY | HMLA-169 | 2001 | Afghanistan |
| HEROIC (1) | HMLA-169 | 2007 | Afghanistan |
| HEROIC (2) | HMLA-773 | 2008> | Iraq |
| HIGHBOY (1) | HMM-163 | 1968 | |
| HIGHBOY (2) | HMM-265 | 1968 | Assigned after 163 left RVN |
| HIGHWAY | HMM-264 | 1965 | |
| HOGGER | HMH-??? | 2008 | Iraq |
| HOSTAGE | VMO-2 | Dec 1967 | |
| HUMMER | HML-771 | ||
| HUSTLER | HMH-772 | ||
| INJURE | HMM-265 | Aug 1968 | |
| INVINCIBLE | HMM-268 | 2008 | Iraq |
| IRISHMAN | HMH-363 | 2006-7 | Iraq |
| IRON HORSE | HMH-461 | ||
| JEWEL | VMO-6 | Oct 1951 | Korean War |
| JEWELRY | VMO-6 | July 1951 | Korean War |
| JUNKMAN | H&MS-16 | 1966 | SU #1 (CH-37s) |
| KAHUNA | HMH-362 | 2007 | Iraq |
| KLONDIKE | VMO-6 | 1950; 1965 | First used in Korea; reused in Vietnam |
| KNIGHTRIDER | HMM/HMMT-164 | 1980s | |
| LADY ACE | HMM-165 | Dec 1968- | |
| LAS VEGAS | HMH-361 | 1969 | |
| LAWMAN | HML/A-269 | 2008 | Iraq/Afghanistan |
| LEGACY | HMM-263 | ||
| LEPRECHAUN | H&MS-36 Det. D | 1972-3 | MCAS "Rose Garden" Thailand |
| LEROY | HMM-264 | ca. 1991 | |
| LIMOUSINE | VMO-6 | Mar 1952 | Korean War |
| LIVEWIRE | HMLA-??? | 2008-9 | Afghanistan |
| LIVID | HMM-365 (Rein) | 2008 | Afghanistan |
| LUMINOUS | MAG-16 | 1967 | |
| MADMAN | HMM-??? | 2008 | Iraq |
| MAIM | HMM-??? | 2004-5 | Iraq |
| MARINE 1 | Aircraft with President aboard | Marine 2 if Vice Pres. aboard | |
| METTLE | HMH-465 | 2006 | Iraq |
| MILL POINT | HMM-363 | 1965 | |
| MIMI | HMT-204 | ||
| MISFIT | HMLA-169 | 2006 | Iraq |
| MODEM | HML-268 | 1972-77 | |
| MOHAIR | HMM-262 | 1967 | |
| MOONLIGHT | HMM/VMM-764 | current | |
| MORPHINE | HMM-364 | 2007 | Iraq |
| MOTION | ProvH&MS-39 | Apr 1968 | |
| MURRAY | HMM-363 | 1968 | |
| MUTILATE | VMO-6 | Sept 1951 | Korean War |
| NAIL FILE | MAG-36 | 1965 | |
| NEW CASTLE | HMM-162 | 1965 | |
| NIGHTHAWK | HMX-1 | ||
| NIGHTINGALE | HMM-161 | 2007 | Iraq |
| NORTH BROOK | HMM-164 | 1965 | |
| OAKGATE | VMO-3/HML-367 | 1967-8 | |
| OASIS | HMM-162 | 2008 | Iraq |
| OCTAGON | HMR-161 | Feb 1953 | Op HAYLIFT II |
| OLD HARRY | HMM-162 | 1965 | |
| ORDNANCE | HMR-161 | June 1953 | RCTLEX III |
| OUTSPOKEN | VMO-6 | Oct 1950 | Korean War |
| OVERPAY | HMM-163 | 1965 | |
| OVERTAKE | VMO-6 | Feb 1952 | |
| PALE HORSE | VMM-561 | 2010-12 | |
| PATROLMAN | HMR-161 | Nov 1952 | MARLEX 10 |
| PEACH BUSH | HMM-263 | 1971 | |
| PEGASUS | HMH-463 | current | |
| PENNANT DAY | HMH-463 | 1967 | |
| PEST KILLER | HMM-362 | 1968 | |
| PHOENIX | HMT-302 | ||
| PINEAPPLE | HMH-463 | ca. 1973 | |
| PINUP | HMH-361 | Aug 2010-Feb 2011 | Afghanistan |
| PISTOL | HMLA-369 | 2007 | Iraq |
| PISTOL PETE | HMA-369 | 1972 | MARHUK ops |
| PITCH BLACK | HMH-361 Det A | 2009 | Afghanistan |
| POINDEXTER | HMM-769 | 1967 | Ex. "Golden Slipper" |
| POOR DEVIL | HMM-262 Det A | 1967 | |
| PORKCHOPS | HMR-161 | Aug 1952 | |
| POWER GLIDE | HMM-263 | 1965 | |
| PRESS | HMM-164 | 1968 | |
| PROFANE | VMM-365 | 2010 | Afghanistan |
| PROPHET | HMM-165 (Rein) | 2007 | Iraq (15th MEU) |
| QUICKDRAW | HMM-166 (Rein) | 2004 | Iraq (11th MEU) |
| RAPTOR | VMMT-204 | ||
| REACTION | MAG-36 | 1967 | |
| REAPER | VMM-561 | ca. 2011 | |
| RED DOG | HMA/HMLA-773 | ||
| RED LION | HMH-363 | current | |
| REENLIST | HML-367 | 1968 | Sqn refused to use this |
| REPENT | HMLA-169 | 2009 | Afghanistan |
| RIGHTEOUS | VMM-263 | 2009 | H-1 det, 22d MEU |
| ROADHOG | HMH-769 | ||
| ROBIN | HMR-161 | Oct 1951 | |
| ROBIN HOOD | HMR-161 | Mar 1952 | |
| ROCKY | HMM-166 | ||
| ROMANTIC LAND | VMO-5 | 1967 | Ex. "Blue Lotus" |
| ROSEANN | MAG-16 | 1965 | |
| ROYAL OAK | ProvH&MS-39 | Aug 68 | |
| RUGBY | HMM-365 | ||
| RUTLEDGE | HMM-365 | 1965 | |
| SABER | HMLA-467 | 2008 | |
| SAFETY ZONE | HMM-263 | 1967 | Special Landing Force A |
| SAND SPUR | HMM-770 | 1967 | Ex. "Golden Slipper" |
| SCALPEL | HMM-163 | Mar 1963 | Ex. "Silver Blade" |
| SCARFACE | VMO-3/HML/HMLA-367 | 1967 | |
| SEAGRAMS | HMH-462 | ||
| SEAWORTHY | VMO-6 | 1968 | |
| SEXTON | HMM-263 | 2003 | Iraq |
| SHARK | HMM-165 | 1967 | "Shining Brass" ops |
| SHELBY | HMH-361 | Feb-Aug 2009 | Iraq |
| SHOOTOUT | HMLA-169 | 2011 | Afghanistan |
| SIERRA NOVEMBER | HMA-169 | 1971 | |
| SIERRA PAPA | HMMT/HMHT-301 | ||
| SIERRA QUEBEC | H&MS-30 | ||
| SIERRA ROMEO | HMMT-302 | ||
| SKULLY | H&MS-16 | ||
| SKY SHADOW | HMM-164 | ||
| SLOW ROLL | HMM-165 | ||
| SPACE (1) | HMM-165 | Dec 67-Oct 68 | |
| SPACE (2) | HMH-462 | 1968 | Reassignment of call sign |
| SPANIARD | HMM-164 | 18-26 1970 | Op "Golden Dragon" |
| SPANISH FLY | HMM-164 | 1972 | |
| SPARTAN LUCK | HMM-165 | ||
| SPIKE | HMM-166 | ||
| STARCH | HMH-361 | 1968 | |
| STATION BREAK | HMM-261 | 1965 | |
| STEADFAST | HMM-263 | 2008 | Iraq |
| STINGER | HMLA-267 | ||
| STONE | HML-167 | ||
| STORM | VMX-22 | ||
| SUPER CHIEF | HMM-163 | 1965 | |
| SWIFT (1) | HMM-364 | 1968 | |
| SWIFT (2) | HMM-164 | 1975 | Reuse of call sign |
| SWIFTY | HMM-364 | 2008 | Iraq |
| SWITCH | HMM-262 | 1965 | |
| TARBUSH | HMM-361 | 1965 | |
| THICKNESS | HMH-363 | ||
| THOROUGHBRED | HMH-463 | 2009 | Afghanistan |
| THUNDER (1) | HMM-263 | ca. 1991 | |
| THUNDER (2) | HMH-462 | ca. 2007 | Re-use of callsign |
| TIGER (1) | VMO-6 | 1967 | "Shining Brass" ops |
| TIGER (2) | HMH-361 | ||
| TOMCAT | HMH-361 | ||
| TORRID | HMLA-167 | 2007 | Iraq |
| TRUMPCARD | VMO-6 | June 1953 | Medevac a/c - RCTLEX III |
| TYCOON | HMLA-775 | 2005 | Iraq |
| TYRANT | HMM-163 | 2007 | Iraq |
| UGLY | HMH-362 | 2000- | |
| USEFUL | VMO-6 | Jan 1951 | |
| VALOR | HMM-161 | 2007 | Iraq |
| VENDETTA | HMM-163 (Rein) | 2005-6 | 13th MEU |
| VENGEANCE | HMLA-469 | 2009 | |
| VENOM | HML/A-167 | 2008 | 22d MEU(SOC) |
| VIPER | HMLA-169 | ||
| WALL PANEL | HMM-263 | 1967 | Special Landing Force A |
| WALNUT HILL | ProvMAG-39 | 1968 | |
| WARHORSE | HMH-465 | ||
| WARRIOR | HML-167 | ca. 1979 | |
| HML/A-167 | |||
| WELCOME TOUR | HMM-165 | Jan-Jun 68 | Special Landing Force B |
| WHITE GOLD | HMM-364 | 1965 | |
| WILD GOOSE | HMM-774 | ||
| WOLFPACK | HMH-466 | ||
| WOMBAT | HMM-162 | ||
| YANKEE MIKE | HMM-365 | ||
| YAZOO | VMO-1 |