'Gizmo', 'Satan,' and 'McLovin': Inside the changing world of pilot calls signs at CFB Cold Lake
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Such short-hand monikers are used in official and unofficial communications as well as by Canada's allies, and have appeared in pop culture through films like Top Gun.
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The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) says call signs serve as more than identification markers, and reflect both generations of aviation heritage as well as the contemporary pilots who assign the nicknames to their peers.
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While once considered to be permanent, call signs and the policies that govern them have been updated in recent years amid controversy over some individual nicknames and the process by which they were assigned.
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Those concerns prompted an overhaul of standards around call signs and the process used to choose them, according to over 200 pages of records acquired by Postmedia via several access to information requests that produced records primarily from CFB Cold Lake in Alberta but also to other bases.
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'While the RCAF continues to value tradition and camaraderie, we recognize that certain call signs previously considered acceptable may no longer reflect the evolving culture of the organization,' reads a statement to Postmedia from Maj. Marie-Eve Bilodeau with the Canadian Armed Forces.
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'Our approach remains flexible, allowing the fighter force culture to evolve alongside broader societal expectations.'
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The documents list close to 100 different call signs, and while the origins of many of those are difficult to determine many are apparent attempts at humour.
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Call signs referencing first or last names were common, including one pilot with the surname Chu who was given the call sign 'Pica' in reference to the Pokemon character.
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Entertainment was a popular source of inspiration for call signs including 'Bollywood,' 'Jar Jar,' 'Gizmo,' 'Footloose,' and 'McLovin' in apparent reference to the 2007 film Superbad.
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'Call signs, much like nicknames between good friends, are intended to maintain tradition and contribute to esprit de corps,' Bilodeau stated.
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Some call signs were acronyms, including 'POG' in reference to TSN's Play of the Game highlight segment, 'RIC' referring to an officer who rides (his motorcycle) in crocs, and 'DATA' for a pilot whose colleagues apparently believe doesn't always think ahead.
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Toronto Sun
an hour ago
- Toronto Sun
'Gizmo', 'Satan,' and 'McLovin': Inside the changing world of pilot call signs at CFB Cold Lake
'If you can't explain a call sign in full, honest detail to a 7-year-old at an airshow, or to the officer conducting a summary hearing, then it needs to go' In an interception exercise, a CF-18 from 4 Wing CFB Cold Lake makes an approaches from underneath another CF-18. Photo by Ed Kaiser/Postmedia Photo by Ed Kaiser / Edmonton Journal As far back as the Second World War, Canadian pilots have used call signs to identify themselves to colleagues in the air and on the ground. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Such short-hand monikers are used in official and unofficial communications as well as by Canada's allies, and have appeared in pop culture through films like Top Gun . The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) says call signs serve as more than identification markers, and reflect both generations of aviation heritage as well as the contemporary pilots who assign the nicknames to their peers. While once considered to be permanent, call signs and the policies that govern them have been updated in recent years amid controversy over some individual nicknames and the process by which they were assigned. Those concerns prompted an overhaul of standards around call signs and the process used to choose them, according to over 200 pages of records acquired by Postmedia via several access to information requests that produced records primarily from CFB Cold Lake in Alberta but also from other bases. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'While the RCAF continues to value tradition and camaraderie, we recognize that certain call signs previously considered acceptable may no longer reflect the evolving culture of the organization,' reads a statement to Postmedia from Maj. Marie-Eve Bilodeau with the Canadian Armed Forces. 'Our approach remains flexible, allowing the fighter force culture to evolve alongside broader societal expectations.' 'Pica,' 'McLovin,' and 'Play of the Day' The documents list close to 100 different call signs, and while the origins of many of those are difficult to determine many are apparent attempts at humour. Call signs referencing first or last names were common, including one pilot with the surname Chu who was given the call sign 'Pica' in reference to the Pokemon character. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Entertainment was a popular source of inspiration for call signs including 'Bollywood,' 'Jar Jar,' 'Gizmo,' 'Footloose,' and 'McLovin' in apparent reference to the 2007 film Superbad . 'Call signs, much like nicknames between good friends, are intended to maintain tradition and contribute to esprit de corps,' Bilodeau stated. Some call signs were acronyms, including 'POG' in reference to TSN's Play of the Game highlight segment, 'RIC' referring to an officer who rides (his motorcycle) in crocs, and 'DATA' for a pilot whose colleagues apparently believe doesn't always think ahead. Animal names including 'Pug,' 'Tiger,' 'Piglet,' and 'Walrus,' were also assigned as call signs, as were foods including 'Jelly Bean' and 'Loaf.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Some call signs produced amusing juxtapositions, including the potential of 'Moses' and 'Satan' flying together on the same mission. 'Traditions are important' Those nicknames are selected by what's known as a call sign review board (CRB), that despite the formal name, are an invite-only social gathering. 'Due to the unprecedented times we have lived through over the past two years none of you have been adequately exposed to mess culture or to the morale building exercises central to the identity of an operational unit such as ours,' reads an emailed invitation to pilots from an acting commanding officer at CFB Cold Lake, adding the CRB will 'ensure your proper amalgamation into the fighter controller community.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Traditions are important,' his email ends. The documents indicate meetings of CRBs can include consumption of alcohol by attendees, are sometimes preceded by a slideshow full of internet memes, and in one case, encouraged invitees to obtain an item from a rival squadron on base to be 'ransomed' back to its rightful owner at a later date. Potential call signs for a given pilot are set out to the group by the leader of the CRB, referenced in the documents as 'the mayor.' Those suggestions are then debated by the 'congregation' of other pilots while the member awaiting his or her new call sign, known as 'the defendant,' waits outside. Upon being invited back into the room, the pilot is informed of the group's choice and bestowed with that as their call sign. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. While often whimsical or humorous, some call signs have been deemed to be problematic in the past. In 2022, two senior officers were disciplined and fined for not intervening during a call sign review board at CFB Cold Lake that assigned a junior male pilot a homophobic call sign that referenced a specific female pilot. Maj.-Gen. Iain Huddleston told The Canadian Press then that the call sign was 'egregious,' and the incident led the RCAF to promise to add more controls over how call signs are assigned. A 2023 lessons-learned report included in the documents presented several recommendations regarding CRBs, including that commanding officers pre-vet any prospective call signs which are also to be presented to pilots privately 'to ensure all perceived pressure to consent is removed.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The RCAF reviewed and updated its direction surrounding call sign assignment practices to ensure alignment with Canadian Armed Forces values, including professionalism, respect, dignity, and inclusion,' Bilodeau stated. A 2023 memo signed by three colonels outlined new policies around call signs, noting, 'there shall not be obscenity or coarse joking behind any nominations, and special emphasis will be placed on avoiding call signs that are sexualized, racialized, or at the expense of the dignity of any person.' Pilots can also appeal their call sign, a request the policy memo states must always be granted. The change prompted a widespread review of existing call signs to meet those standards with 'Raygun,' 'Kraut,' and 'Ahab' all being flagged for review. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'This is going to the Commander of the RCAF, and when he receives it he should not have to ask any questions about the meaning of a given call sign and there should be no cases where he looks at one and says it has to go,' CFB Cold Lake 4 Wing Commander Dave 'Hobo' Turenne wrote in an email to pilots. 'No wiggle room on this one, folks. If you can't explain a call sign in full, honest detail to a 7-year-old at an airshow, or to the officer conducting a summary hearing, then it needs to go.' mblack@ Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun. MLB Ontario Toronto & GTA Golf Editorial Cartoons
Toronto Sun
6 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
DEAR ABBY: Woman wants surprise party to be drama-free
A wife is unsure about planning a big birthday party for her husband. Photo by stock photo / Getty Images Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. DEAR ABBY: My husband has four grown children — one from his first marriage; three with his late wife. Talk about drama! Who talks to whom? Who can't stand whom? Who gets annoyed when one of them comes to visit us? They could be BFFs today and tomorrow stab each other in the back. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Recently, my husband has been saying he'd like to see his four children and all his grandchildren together. Actually, his exact words were, 'I guess the only time I'll see all my kids together in one room is when they come to my funeral.' My husband has a milestone birthday approaching. I've been thinking about having a surprise birthday party for him at a restaurant and inviting all the kids and grandchildren. I've thought about texting or emailing all of them with a note letting them know their dad's wishes and asking them to be civil to one another for a few hours for their dad. 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Consider doing some activities you can do together, such as going on a day trip or taking up a new sport. Also, you might feel less taken for granted if those chores you described, such as cooking, cleaning and yard work, were divided or shared. From what you have written, you have been doing all the heavy lifting. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. MLB Sunshine Girls Celebrity Toronto & GTA Columnists
a day ago
7 Nunavut bird sanctuaries have Inuktitut place names restored
Headlines Latest News Podcasts (new window) Home Environment Indigenous 'It's very important for our culture,' said Nunavut man on co-management committee Lesser snow geese pictured at Isulijarniq migratory bird sanctuary. The site is one of 7 Nunavut bird sanctuaries that have had their Inuktitut place names restored. Photo: Chris Nicolai/Environment and Climate Change Canada Seven Nunavut wildlife bird sanctuaries have had their Inuktitut place names restored, something one man says is important for people in the area. Philip Manik is chair of a co-management committee in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, for the Sulukvaut area. The committee was involved in renaming the sanctuaries. It's very important for our culture to have the names changed to Inuktitut, he said. The move comes as the federal government continues to work to meet its obligations under the Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement for Nunavut. Lisa Pirie, a manager in conservation and protected areas with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said the Inuktitut names are already how Inuit have been referring to the areas. We feel it's an important part of reconciliation to recognize these names, he said. Enlarge image (new window) Akpaqarvik bird sanctuary in Nunavut preserves habitat for large colonies of seabirds. Photo: Mia Pelletier/Canadian Wildlife Service Place names were chosen by different co-management committees representing the protected areas. Those committees are made up of community members and one representative from the Canadian Wildlife Service. The renamed sites include: Isulijarniq, formerly Dewey Soper. Qaqsauqtuuq, formerly East Bay. Ikkattuaq, formerly Harry Gibbons. Kuugaarjuk, formerly McConnell River. Akpaqarvik, formerly Prince Leopold Island. Ahiak, formerly Queen Maud Gulf. Naujavaat, formerly Seymour Island. Pirie said her department is in the process of updating the site names on its websites. She said that updating signage at the sites themselves will take a bit longer but that it's something the department is working on. Bird sanctuaries cover over 90,000 square kilometres in Nunavut. With files from Teresa Qiatsuq With climate change, it's more likely than you think What the recent economic resilience tells us about what comes next in the trade war 2 hours ago Trade Agreements To consumers, lab-grown and natural diamonds are completely identical. And the cheaper option is winning out 3 hours ago Mining Industry IRCC tells CBC its program guide specifies 'a complete sponsorship application' is required Dismantling supply management, wide-open access to Canadian market are not on U.S. wishlist
