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Even in these days of radio and satellite communications, the U.S. Navy uses the international alphabet flags, numeral pennants, numeral flags, and special flags and pennants for visual signaling. These signal flags are used to communicate while maintaining radio silence. Navy Signalmen transmit messages by hoisting a flag or a series of flags on a halyard. Each side of the ship has halyards and a "flag bag", containing a full set of signal flags. Signals unique to the Navy are used when communicating with other U.S. Navy or allied forces. When communicating with all other vessels, the International Code of Signals is used. The code/answer pennant precedes all signals in international code.
Flag | Name | Phonetic Pronunciation | Navy Meaning | International Meaning |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Alfa | AL-fah | I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed. | |
![]() | Bravo | BRAH-voh | I am taking in, discharging, or carrying dangerous cargo. | |
![]() | Charlie | CHAR-lee | "Yes" or "affirmative". | |
![]() | Delta | DELL-tah | I am maneuvering with difficulty; keep clear. | |
![]() | Echo | ECK-oh | I am directing my course to starboard. | |
![]() | Foxtrot | FOKS-trot | I am disabled; communicate with me. On aircraft carriers: Flight Operations underway | |
![]() | Golf | GOLF | I require a pilot. | |
![]() | Hotel | hoh-TELL | I have a pilot on board. | |
![]() | India | IN-dee-ah | Coming alongside. | I am directing my course to port. |
![]() | Juliet | JEW-lee-ett | I am on fire and have dangerous cargo; keep clear. | |
![]() | Kilo | KEY-loh | I wish to communicate with you. | |
![]() | Lima | LEE-mah | You should stop your vessel immediately. | |
![]() | Mike | MIKE | My vessel is stopped; making no way. | |
![]() | November | no-VEM-bur | No or negative. | |
![]() | Oscar | OSS-kur | Man overboard. | |
![]() | Papa | pah-PAH | All personnel return to ship; proceeding to sea (Inport). | |
![]() | Quebec | kay-BECK | Boat recall; all boats return to ship. | Ship meets health regs; request clearance into port. |
![]() | Romeo | ROH-me-oh | Preparing to replenish (At sea). Ready duty ship (Inport). | None. |
![]() | Sierra | see-AIR-ah | Conducting flag hoist drill. | Moving astern. |
![]() | Tango | TANG-go | Do not pass ahead of me. | Keep clear; engaged in trawling. |
![]() | Uniform | YOU-nee-form | You are running into danger. | |
![]() | Victor | VIK-tah | I require assistance. | |
![]() | Whiskey | WISS-kee | I require medical assistance. | |
![]() | Xray | ECKS-ray | Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals. | |
![]() | Yankee | YANG-kee | Ship has visual communications duty. | I am dragging anchor. |
![]() | Zulu | ZOO-loo | I require a tug. | |
![]() | Code/Answer | Code or Answer | Flag that follows is from the International Code of Signals. | Message is understood. Also, numeric decimal point. |
![]() | First substitute | First sub | Absence of flag officer or unit commander (Inport). | Substitute for the first flag in this hoist. |
![]() | Second substitute | Second sub | Absence of chief of staff (Inport). | Substitute for the second flag in this hoist. |
![]() | Third substitute | Third sub | Absence of commanding officer (Inport). | Substitute for the third flag in this hoist. |
![]() | One | WUN | Numeral one. | None. |
![]() | Two | TOO | Numeral two. | None. |
![]() | Three | TREE | Numeral three. | None. |
![]() | Four | FOW-er | Numeral four. | None. |
![]() | Five | FIFE | Numeral five. | None. |
![]() | Six | SICKS | Numeral six. | None. |
![]() | Seven | SEV-en | Numeral seven. | None. |
![]() | Eight | AIT | Numeral eight. | None. |
![]() | Nine | NIN-er | Numeral nine. | None. |
![]() | Zero | ZEE-roh | Numeral zero. | None. |
![]() | Pennant one | PEN-ant WUN | Pennant one. | Numeral one. |
![]() | Pennant two | PEN-ant TOO | Pennant two. | Numeral two. |
![]() | Pennant three | PEN-ant TREE | Pennant three. | Numeral three. |
![]() | Pennant four | PEN-ant FOW-er | Pennant four. | Numeral four. |
![]() | Pennant five | PEN-ant FIFE | Pennant five. | Numeral five. |
![]() | Pennant six | PEN-ant SICKS | Pennant six. | Numeral six. |
![]() | Pennant seven | PEN-ant SEV-en | Pennant seven. | Numeral seven. |
![]() | Pennant eight | PEN-ant AIT | Pennant eight. | Numeral eight |
![]() | Pennant Nine | PEN-ant NIN-er | Pennant nine. | Numeral nine |
![]() | Pennant zero | PEN-ant ZEE-roh | Pennant zero. | Numeral zero |
Flag | Meaning |
---|---|
![]() | Command Flag of an Admiral |
![]() | Command Flag of a Vice Admiral |
![]() | Command Flag of a Rear Admiral |
![]() | Command Flag of a Commodore |
![]() | Union Jack Used only on the bow staff (jack staff) while moored pierside or at anchor. |
![]() | Flag of the Secretary of the Navy |
![]() | Flag of the Under Secretary of the Navy |
![]() | Flag of the Assistant Secretaries of the Navy |
![]() | Flag of the Chief of Naval Operations |
![]() | Flag of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff |
![]() | Flag of the Secretary of Defense |
![]() | Official Flag of the United States Navy |
![]() | Flag of the Vice President of the United States |
![]() | Flag of the President of the United States |