CHAPTER 5 ALLIED FLAGHOIST PROCEDURES A large percentage of all tactical messages received by a ship are signaled by flaghoist. Therefore, a broad knowledge of flaghoist communication procedures on the part of every Signalman is essential. As you will learn in chapter 6, flaghoist is also used for international signaling. It comes into play, for example, when your ship exchanges messages with a merchant ship under U.S. flag or otherwise; then somewhat different procedures apply than those governing exchanges of messages between Allied naval units. Flaghoist signaling provides a rapid and accurate system of passing tactical and administrative information during daylight. Flaghoist is rapid because, by hoisting one or more flags that have a predetermined meaning, you can communicate simultaneously with all ships in company. It is accurate because addressees are required to repeat the signal, flag for flag, allowing the originator to see if addressees have read the hoist correctly. Flaghoist signaling aptly meets the provisions of security, another prime requirement of naval communications. Not only is the range limited, but the meanings of many signals are contained in a classified signal publication. Flaghoist signaling is especially well suited to tactical signals. All vessels can read the signal at the same time, and all can take action in unison with a minimum chance of error. To perform effectively as a Signalman, for both military and international situations, you must acquire a solid background in procedures, methods, and rules pertaining to flaghoist communications. The main purposes of this chapter are to illustrate the flags and pennants used; explain how to construct, read, raise, and lower hoists; and discuss partial contents of the Allied Maritime Tactical Signal and Maneuvering Book, ATP 1, volume II, from which most tactical signals are derived. SIGNAL FLAGS AND PENNANTS LEARNING OBJECTIVES: List the flags and pennants in a standard naval flag bag. List the phonetic name for each letter of the alphabet. Define tackline and state its purpose. The standard Navy flag bag consists of 68 flags: the 26 letters of the alphabet, 10 numeral flags, 10 numeral pennants, 18 special flags and pennants, and 4 substitutes. Each alphabet flag has the phonetic name of the letter it represents. A numeral flag takes the name of the numeral it represents; numeral pennants are used only in calls. Special flags and pennants are used in tactical maneuvers to direct changes in speed, position, formation, and course; to indicate and identify units; and for specialized purposes. Flags and pennants are spoken and written as shown in figures 5-l and 5-2. One good way to learn flags and pennants is to practice sketching each of them, labeling each according to its proper color or colors. When you feel you know every flag and pennant, ask someone to test you. Ask the person testing you to call at random the various letters of the alphabet, and you name and describe the corresponding flags. When you are topside, pay particular attention to flaghoists flying from other ships. Test your ability to recognize and name those flaghoists. Many flags and pennants may be learned as opposites. Number flags can be learned by color and design sequence. In addition to the 68 flags in the bag, you have a tackline. A tackline is a length of halyard approximately 6 feet long; the exact length depends upon the size of flags in use. The tackline is transmitted and spoken as tack and is written as a dash (hyphen) "-". It is used to avoid ambiguity. It separates signals or groups of numerals that, if not separated, could convey a different meaning from that intended. Example: If the signal SL2 means “Prepare to receive personnel casualties,” TACK would be inserted between the digit 2 and the given number of casualties: SL2 TACK 27. TACK also is used to separate range and bearing figures. If C3 means “Investigate possible sighting,” the signal might be C3 TACK 345 TACK 20, indicating the sighting at a bearing of 345 and a distance of 20 miles. 5-1