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F-15's dogfighting over the Atlantic, E-3B calling the shots.

F-15 pilots and an E-3B AWACS controller conduct high-intensity air-to-air combat training over the Atlantic.

2014-02-12 Atlantic Ocean, likely in a military Warning Area (e.g., W-105 or W-122) off the US East Coast

Summary

This recording captures "Fang" flight (a two-ship of F-15 Eagles) engaging in a tactical air-to-air combat exercise. They are supported by "Thumper," an E-3B Sentry AWACS, providing Ground Controlled Intercept (GCI) services to vector them against multiple "hostile" training targets. The exchange showcases rapid-fire brevity codes, simulated missile launches, and complex aerial maneuvering.

Analysis

This recording is a prime example of military GCI (Ground Controlled Intercept) communications during a Large Force Exercise (LFE) or a standard tactical training mission. Unlike civilian ATC, which focuses on separation and safety, these communications are focused on "kill chains"—detecting, tracking, identifying, and engaging simulated enemy aircraft. The "Fang" flight consists of two F-15 pilots, while "Thumper" is the tactical controller aboard an E-3B Sentry AWACS aircraft, acting as the "eye in the sky."

The audio is notable for its heavy use of "Brevity Codes," a standardized language used by NATO pilots to convey complex information quickly. Key terms include "Bullseye" (a secret geographic reference point used to coordinate positions), "BRAA" (Bearing, Range, Altitude, Aspect), and "Fox" calls. "Fox 3" indicates the simulated launch of an AIM-120 AMRAAM (active radar-guided missile), while "Fox 2" indicates an AIM-9 Sidewinder (heat-seeking missile). The pilots are seen "sorting" the targets—deciding who will attack which group to ensure no "leakers" (enemy aircraft) get through their formation.

Aviation enthusiasts will recognize the "Crank" and "Short Skate" maneuvers mentioned. A "Crank" involves the pilot turning to the edge of their radar's gimbal limit after firing a missile; this maintains the radar lock on the enemy while slowing the closure rate, giving the pilot more time to react if the enemy fires back. The "Short Skate" is a specific tactical timeline for when a pilot should turn away from an engagement to maintain a safe distance.

The engagement concludes when the pilots reach "Joker" fuel—a pre-defined fuel state where they must begin concluding the mission to ensure they have enough reserves to return to base. The command "Knock it off" is the universal military signal to immediately cease all tactical maneuvering, usually because a training objective has been met, a safety boundary has been reached, or an aircraft is low on fuel. This recording provides a rare, unclassified glimpse into the high-workload environment of modern air superiority fighters.

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Original ATC Communication

Plain English Translation

FANG 02
066, 27,000. Fang 2, Fang 2, live group Bullseye 100, 67, 25,000, spades.
FANG 02
Heading 066 at 27,000 feet. Fang 2 here, I’ve got a live group of aircraft 67 miles out from our central reference point. They’re at 25,000 feet and haven't identified themselves as friendly yet.
THUMPER
Angle 1, hostile. Middle, north.
THUMPER
I have one enemy aircraft confirmed low. He’s in the middle, heading north.
FANG 01
Understand crank north.
FANG 01
Copy that, turning north to keep them on the edge of my radar.
FANG 02
Affirmative. Forty scope.
FANG 02
Understood. I have my radar range set to forty miles.
THUMPER
Group split azimuth. Fang 1, single group maneuver azimuth north, arm range north 22,000, stack on lead south 22,000, two contacts. Two groups. 065, 36,000, hostile, two contacts, very hot.
THUMPER
The group is splitting apart sideways. Fang 1, you have one group maneuvering north, and another pair of contacts stacked vertically at 22,000 feet to the south. Now I see two distinct groups. They're at heading 065 and 36,000 feet—hostile, two of them, and they are coming at you very fast.
FANG 02
Fang 2, target south group, 23,000.
FANG 02
Fang 2, I’m locking onto the southern group at 23,000 feet.
FANG 01
Fang 1, targeted north group, stack 36,000, 13,000. Fang, forty scope, short skate, hot right. Azimuth 23.
FANG 01
Fang 1, I’ve targeted the north group; they are layered at 36,000 and 13,000 feet. Fang flight, I'm on a forty-mile radar scope, preparing to fire and break away, turning hard right toward the threat. They are 23 miles out.
THUMPER
Fang 1 and 2, crank south. Two-ship, 3-2. 25 miles out. Thumper, north group splitting azimuth, maneuver drag.
THUMPER
Fang 1 and 2, turn south to keep them on your radar's edge. There’s a pair of them 25 miles out. Thumper here, the north group is splitting sideways and turning away to try and lure you in.
FANG 01
Fang 1 and 2, reference 280. Fang 1, picture. Fang 1, three groups. South group, Bullseye 096, 38, 33,000, leaning on Fang 2. North group, Bullseye 069, 48, 2,800, track west, hostile. Fang 1 and third group cold drag.
FANG 01
Fang 1 and 2, turn to heading 280. Fang 1, here is the situation: I see three groups. The south group is 38 miles from the center point at 33,000 feet, closing in on Fang 2. The north group is 48 miles out at 2,800 feet, heading west and confirmed hostile. Fang 1 is turning away from the third group.
FANG 02
Fang 2, target south group, 33,000. Forty scope, short skate. Crank north. Two shots, AIM-120, three bolts out.
FANG 02
Fang 2, I’m targeting the south group at 33,000 feet. Radar's at forty miles, preparing to fire and break away. Turning north now. Two missiles away—AIM-120s—that's three shots total launched.
FANG 01
North group, BRAA 061, 18, low. Fang 1 targeted there, dropping. Thumper, monitor north group, 3,000. Fang 1 and 2, check right reference 320. Fang 1 and 2, reference 300. Thumper, Fang 1, picture.
FANG 01
The north group is 18 miles out at bearing 061, flying low. Fang 1 is locking them and diving down. Thumper, keep an eye on that group at 3,000 feet. Fang 1 and 2, turn right to heading 320. Now steady on 300. Thumper, this is Fang 1, give me an update on the situation.
THUMPER
Thumper, single group Bullseye 050, 36, low, north group.
THUMPER
Thumper here, I have a single group 36 miles from the center point, flying low—that’s the north group.
FANG 02
Fang 2, target group Bullseye 047, 37, 3,000. Fang 2, hot right, forty scope.
FANG 02
Fang 2, I’m targeting the group 37 miles from the center at 3,000 feet. I'm turning right to face them, radar set to forty miles.
FANG 01
Spike 090, 15, 3,000.
FANG 01
I've got an enemy radar locking onto me from the east, 15 miles away, down at 3,000 feet!
THUMPER
Pop-up group, Bullseye 095, 58, 3,200.
THUMPER
A new group just appeared on radar, 58 miles from the center point, flying at 3,200 feet.
FANG 02
Bogey dope. North group leaning on Fang 1. BRAA 029, 17, 3,000, hostile, track west. Locked group 032, 34, 3,000. Fang 2 press. Status?
FANG 02
Give me an update on the enemy. The north group is closing in on Fang 1. They’re 17 miles out at bearing 029 and 3,000 feet—confirmed hostile and heading west. I’ve got a radar lock on the group 34 miles out at bearing 032 and 3,000 feet. Fang 2, keep the pressure on. What’s your status?
FANG 01
Unable shot. Stand by 10 seconds.
FANG 01
I can’t get a shot yet. Wait 10 seconds.
FANG 02
Fox 2, group Bullseye 022, 30. Fang 2, status? Fang 2, Fox 2.
FANG 02
Firing a heat-seeking missile at the group 30 miles from our central reference point. Fang 2, what’s your status? Fang 2, heat-seeker away!
THUMPER
Thumper, new picture. Two groups, azimuth 21. North group Bullseye 085, 37, 1,300. South group 22,000, hostile, both groups.
THUMPER
This is Thumper with a tactical update. There are two groups separated side-by-side. The north group is 37 miles from the central reference point at 1,300 feet. The south group is at 22,000 feet. Both groups are confirmed hostile.
FANG 01
Fang 1 targeted north group Bullseye 083, 37. Fang range 35, north group. Crank south. Fang 2, hot shots. Fang, check right reference 170. Fang 1 and 2, out right. Check right reference 245. Check reference 230, 220. Fang 1, range 22, north group.
FANG 01
Fang 1 is locking onto the north group 37 miles from the center. They’re 35 miles from us. Turning hard south to keep them on the edge of my radar. Fang 2, weapons are live. Fang flight, turn right to heading 170. Fang 1 and 2, breaking away to the right. Turn right to heading 245. Now heading 230, now 220. Fang 1, the north group is 22 miles out.
THUMPER
Thumper, Fang 1, picture. Two groups, azimuth 22. North group now drag, maneuver drag, Bullseye 085, 32, low, hostile.
THUMPER
Thumper here, updating Fang 1. Two groups side-by-side. The north group is now turning away and running, 32 miles from the center point, flying low and confirmed hostile.
FANG 02
Forty scope, hot left.
FANG 02
Setting my radar to a 40-mile range, turning left toward the enemy.
FANG 01
BRAA 132, 20, 21,000, hostile. Targeted group Bullseye 131, 20, 12,000.
FANG 01
Enemy is 20 miles away at bearing 132 and 21,000 feet. I’m targeting the group 20 miles from the center point at 12,000 feet.
FANG 02
Fang 2, monitor north arm drag, 22,000. Bogey dope, Fang 2 to the north arm drag. Fox 3, BRAA 086, 29 miles, 21,000, hostile. Target group Bullseye 080, 28, 10,000. Fang 2, split.
FANG 02
Fang 2, watching the northern part of their formation as they turn and run at 22,000 feet. Give me more info on those enemies. Firing a radar-guided missile at the hostile 29 miles away at 21,000 feet. Targeting the group 28 miles from the center point at 10,000 feet. Fang 2, breaking formation.
THUMPER
Pop-up group, REGEN, Bullseye 105, 52, 22,000, hostile.
THUMPER
A new enemy group just appeared on radar 52 miles from the center point at 22,000 feet, confirmed hostile.
FANG 02
Unable shots, north group. Fang 2, reference west. BRAA 132, 12, 20,000, hostile.
FANG 02
I can’t get a shot on the north group. Fang 2, turning west. Enemy is 12 miles away at bearing 132 and 20,000 feet, confirmed hostile.
FANG 01
Fox 3, Bullseye 060, 25, 16,000.
FANG 01
Firing a radar-guided missile at the enemy 25 miles from the center point at 16,000 feet.
FANG 02
Hot left, executed. Fang 1, one by zero. Fang 2, one by zero.
FANG 02
Turning left toward the enemy, turn complete. Fang 1 has one long-range missile and zero short-range left. Fang 2 also has one long-range and zero short-range.
THUMPER
Thumper, Fang 1, picture. Single group Bullseye 089, 41, 38,000, hostile.
THUMPER
Thumper here with a tactical update for Fang 1. Only a single group remains, 41 miles from the center point at 38,000 feet, confirmed hostile.
FANG 02
Hot left. Target group Bullseye 087, 40, 10,000.
FANG 02
Turning left toward the fight. Locking onto the group 40 miles from the center point at 10,000 feet.
THUMPER
Pop-up group Bullseye 083, 43, 24,000, hostile.
THUMPER
Thumper here. A new group of hostiles just popped up on radar, bearing 083 from our center reference point, 43 miles out at 24,000 feet.
FANG 02
Targeted group Bullseye 077, 33, 41,000, hostile. Crank north. Out left. Follow-on group, range 17, 24,000. Joker fuel, 9.5. Target group Bullseye 073, 27, 40,000, short skate. Fang 1 and 2, hot left. Target group Bullseye 030, 050, 21, 42,000. Trail group range 15, 24,000, hostile.
FANG 02
I'm locking onto the hostiles bearing 077 from the center, 33 miles out at 41,000 feet. I'm turning north to keep them in my radar's view while I maneuver. Breaking left. Another group is 17 miles behind at 24,000 feet. We're hitting our low-fuel limit at 9,500 pounds. Locking onto the group 27 miles out at 40,000 feet; we'll fire and break away early. Fang 1 and 2, turn hard left back toward the fight. Targeting the group 21 miles out at 42,000 feet. There's another enemy group trailing them by 15 miles at 24,000 feet.
FANG 01
Fang 2, shot there?
FANG 01
Fang 2, did you manage to get a shot off on them?
FANG 02
Negative shot, Joker. Spike. Spike range 6 miles, 40,000. Fang, airspace west. Notch south. Hot left, target 40,000. Notch south. Fang 2, target north. Unable shot. Status? Unable shots. Additional threat, BRAA 129, 15 miles, low, 4,000.
FANG 02
No shot, and I'm hitting my low-fuel limit. Someone’s locked onto me! Enemy radar is painting me from 6 miles out at 40,000 feet. Fang, clear the western airspace. Turning south to hide from their radar. Turning back left toward the target at 40,000 feet. Turning south again to break their lock. Fang 2, targeting the northern group. I can't get a shot. What’s our status? No shots available. New threat at heading 129, 15 miles out, flying low at 4,000 feet.
THUMPER
Thumper, copy, knock it off.
THUMPER
Thumper copies. Everyone, stop the engagement. Cease fire and end the exercise immediately.
FANG 01
Fang, Thumper, knock it off.
FANG 01
Fang flight, Thumper says stop. End the engagement now.
FANG 02
Fang 2's off. 192, two-ship, field 250. Fang 2, state 7.9.
FANG 02
Fang 2 is breaking away. We're a two-plane formation on heading 192, 250 miles from the airfield. Fang 2, reporting my fuel status at 7,900 pounds remaining.
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