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U.S. Navy Signal Flags and their Meaning

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.

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

There are also some other Flags used by the Navy. They indicate a higher rank, some departments and particular persons.

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

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