Author
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Topic: Astronauts' military call signs used in space
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dabolton Member Posts: 419 From: Seneca, IL, US Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 05-18-2015 09:09 AM
Is there a list anywhere of military astronaut pilot call signs? i.e. "Goose," "Maverick," etc? Have any of them ever been used in flight? |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 05-18-2015 09:53 AM
I don't know of a definitive list, but some have indeed been used in space.For example, Ken Ham's call sign in the Navy was "Hock," which his shuttle crewmates used on STS-124 and 132. Another example, Scott "Scooter" Altman. (I don't believe Altman's other Navy call sign "D-Bear" was used in space.) Duane "Digger" Carey described how he got his call sign: Well sir, I'm gonna' tell you the truth and the sad thing about the truth in this case is, it's boring. When I was in the Air Force I flew a couple different jets and as you know there's a lot of competition between flying communities in the Air Force. When I started flying, I flew A-10s and my call sign back in those days was Spider. Later, when I transferred to F-16s, they asked me what my nickname was and I told 'em and they said, "Well, you're a filthy, dirty A-10 driver and we gotta' give you a new nickname." As it turns out they just had a guy leave the squadron and his handle was Digger and they said, "We need a new Digger and you're it." I told 'em I despised that name with every fiber in my being. My squadron commander put his arm around my neck, smiled and said, "Well, that's exactly why we're gonna' call you Digger." |
cycleroadie Member Posts: 452 From: Apalachin, NY USA Registered: May 2011
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posted 05-18-2015 11:07 AM
And of course Robert "Hoot" Gibson. |
india-mike Member Posts: 76 From: Linnich, Northrine Westfalia, Germany Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 05-18-2015 02:44 PM
...and what about: - Charles Hobaugh - Scorch
- James Kelly - Vegas
- Lee Archambault - Bru
- George Zamka - Zambo
- Gregory H. Johnson - Box
- Gregory C. Johnson - Ray Jay
- Barry Wilmore - Butch
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Joel Katzowitz Member Posts: 808 From: Marietta GA USA Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 05-18-2015 03:45 PM
I believe Dave Walker's call sign was Red Dog. That was the inspiration for his "Dog crews". STS-53 - Dogs of War; STS-69 - Dogs of Summer; and STS-88 - Stealth Dog Crew. Although Walker was not a member of the STS-88 crew. |
p51 Member Posts: 1642 From: Olympia, WA Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 05-18-2015 04:15 PM
One thing many people don't know is that call signs are usually assigned at a squadron level for many aviators, and contrary to popular belief, many military pilots don't have them at all.There's also a lot of repetition. Imagine how many pilots named "Rhodes" have the call sign of 'Dusty'. They also change over time. Many pilots can have several over the course of a career as they're often connected to something they once did or a funny comment on their name. I knew of a Marine F-18 pilot who had the same last name as a certain feminine hygiene product, and you can imagine what his call sign was... Then, you have call signs for your specific flight or mission for that day, and call signs which are specific for the unit you're in. In "Top Gun," remember when Mav also went by "Ghost Rider" and a number? That was his unit call sign. |
Skylon Member Posts: 274 From: Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 05-19-2015 07:03 PM
With astronauts, what I find rough is differentiating a call sign from a military nickname. For example, Deke Slayton recounted that he was Don Slayton until he was at Edwards — it sounded like it started as a call sign then was adopted as a nickname. On the other hand, "Shaky" was a nickname for Jim Lovell, but was it treated as a call sign?Anyway, here are a few other potential call signs: - Ken Cockrell - Taco
- Scott Horowitz - Doc
- Kent Rominger - Rommel
- Steve Lindsey - Pinto (not sure, but I recall hearing that at STS-133's wheel's stop).
- Rick Sturckow - CJ
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Joel Katzowitz Member Posts: 808 From: Marietta GA USA Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 05-20-2015 07:57 AM
Following up on the Dog Crew names, Cockrell (STS-69) was known as "Cujo" and Sturckow (STS-88) as "Devil Dog". |
Hart Sastrowardoyo Member Posts: 3445 From: Toms River, NJ Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 05-20-2015 10:00 AM
Parazynski says his was Doogie. If you can make the apparent connection, good for you! |
Hart Sastrowardoyo Member Posts: 3445 From: Toms River, NJ Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 05-20-2015 10:06 AM
And on thinking, Bresnik did give an explanation for Komrade, but I don't recall offhand. Something to do with the school he went to. |