Special Callsigns & Suffix & Re: [MilCom] SAM 9725

[Doug Anderson]

Ken wrote:

>
> Also I still have to wonder why most REACH callsigns are part of the 
> tail # of the aircraft.  There's
> somewhat of a security fetish about anyone photographing aircraft 
> tail#'s when aircraft are parked....
> Actually part of the mission number could be used as the callsign & 
> this would further enhance at
> least visual OPSEC or the TACC at Scott could basically issue sequence 
> callsigns based upon
> the take off date.
>
Many years ago they way it would work, was if a mission was going to a 
place that required diplomatic overflight or landing clearance it would 
be issued based on the aircraft tail number and a few backup tail 
numbers. Several missions were so routine that the country didn't care 
what tail number was used in that case the callsign would be the mission 
number and not the tail number. This allowed the most flexibility with 
the mission. Not sure if this is still the case but it might be some 
form of this.

Doug Anderson
KG4QCR