What is the NATO Phonetic Alphabet? Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta....

The NATO phonetic alphabet, officially called the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet, and also commonly known as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) phonetic alphabet, is the most widely used radiotelephone spelling alphabet in the world. We use this alphabet to clarify communication for maritime operations, domestic and international flights, and NATO Alliance Military Activities.

The system is simple, assigning names to the 26 letters of the English language and making a slight variation of the names of English numbers….

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Thanks for watching,

Christopher Littlestone
Life is a Special Operation
Are You Ready for It?

Track: TULE - Lost [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds.

[miguelsalami]

Tango Hotel India Sierra, Whiskey Alpha Sierra, Alpha, Golf Oscar Oscar Delta, Victor India Delta Echo Oscar 🤓

[SBCBears]

Should mention that the words are chosen to be auditorily distinct from one another.

[tomhammond]

A great way I was taught to learn this was to read highway signs as you approached them. It'll give you limited time and you'll feel the pressure but you'll prevail over time. My dad used this technique on me and I was one of the most familiar with the phonetic aphlabit in my infantry Platoon. My dad was tough on me but it helped me out greatly and anyone thinking about joining I would highly advise trying the same thing.

[dylanrutan]

Fun fact: the only rifle company in the entire marine corps authorized to be identified over comms by a non standard phonetic is “Easy Co.” 2nd Bn./2nd Marines.

[Jamezzcrew]

Lucky for me I’ve played domination so I already a, b, and c

[bemi]

I have actually used this in life. Knowing this information comes in handy when you get in a situation where you NEED to be understood by the person that you are communicating with.

[pepealasquid]

I don’t know why I laughed so hard at the air traffic control part, I guess it’s because it was so jarring lol

[rbmx]

I'm young but I'm trying to learn as much as I can. Thank you for all you do.

[lm-usmc]

This is one of many things that have stuck with me even after almost 30 years discharged from the military.

[Alpha-qcom]

It was made as a standard way for aircrews to understand and recognize themselves around the globe. Every flight is given letters along with numbers but if you see M and N, D and B can sound very similar so they use code words to define clearly. M will be Mike, N will be November, D will Delta and B will be Beta. (Latest Radio-telephony Alphabet).



It all started during the First World War, where British infantrymen were using their version of Ack, Beer and Charlie whereas the Royal Navy were using Apples, Butter and Charlie. When the US air force joined the war they adopted Able, Baker alphabet among all allied forces, which later on also was adopted by Civil aviation but confusion still continued around the globe.



ICAO wanted to create alphabet which will be recognized and understood in other countries easily even when it is made of English words. So, no matter where was pilot from they would find it easy to understand. A Professor of Linguistics from the University of Montreal Dr. Jean Paul Vinay was charged to create a new alphabet list which was completed by 1951.



This new alphabet list shocked the world, though, many pilots disliked it and used old alphabets which they had previously. Later on after testing among 31 ICAO member countries, the alphabet was officially introduced on the 1 March 1956, with only 5 simple changed to Professor Jean Paul Vinay’s earlier work and the words were C, M, N, U and X.

[weaselwolf]

I'm glad I'm starting to learn these early. Definitely gonna come in handy.

[hirumbiffidum]

It's simple radios are scratchy and people can have speech impediments. "bee, cee, dee, gee, eee, pee, tee, vee, zee" sound similar and can easily get screwed up ...

[valmarsiglia]

Yes, but what's your vector, Victor?

[borisarcher]

I was benefited from this when I had to urgently buy air ticket via phone call during my oversea trip several years ago. The ticket staff at the other side of the phone was excited, she said: you made this easy for me, I would have kissed you if you were in front of me.

[justinwalandi]

His name is "V", he live in "I", he was born in "N" at the "H", he is 60 "K", his favorite drink is "W", his hobby is playing "G" with his "P", And his friends are "M", "J", and "Z" . And they are live in "3".

[Jake-sbgd]

He’s not wrong in the control tower your voice sounds just like that to

[christianjaimescastro]

As a travel agent, I use this alphabet on a daily basis to communicate with hotels and other agencies. It is not that difficult to learn

[sergioramirez]

Thank brother for the reminder be safe and merry Christmas

[mewyorkcityf]

I regret making a character that is in the military because I have zero knowledge on the military but this kind of helped

[justinnewcomb]

“LaNd oN rUNwaY FIfE TrEE” Good god, as pilot that hurt.