Military Abbreviations, Nicknames and Slang Terms
Beginning with C
Compiled by Jon Stacy

C4-
A Plastic explosive that can be molded and shaped.

C-Bomb-
Cobalt Bomb.

C-one-oh-boom-
(Nickname)The Consolidated C-109, aerial tanker. The C-109 was an off shoot of the successful
B-24 Liberator.

CA-
Navy Designation for a Heavy Cruiser.

Cab-
(NATO Codename) Ilyushin Il-2, Soviet version of the Douglas DC-3/C-47.

Cactus-
1.(Codename) Island of Guadalcanal, during World War II.
2. The 103rd Infantry Division, that saw service in Europe in World War II.

Cadet-
The Interstate L-6, used during World War II.

Cadillacs of Destroyers-
(Nickname) Belknap Class of DLG/CG from the 1960’s to the 1990’s.

CAG-
(Navy, Short) for Carrier Air Group.

Cajun-
(Nickname) USS New Orleans, LPH-11; a Iwo Jima Class Amphibious Helicopter Assault Ship.

Cajuns-
(Squadron Nickname) 706 Fighter Squadron, that operates the A-10 Warthog.

Calling “Charlie O’Roark”-
(Slang) The Art of Puking.

Camber-
(NATO Codename) Ilyushin Il-86, wide bodied jet transport.

Camel-
1. (NATO Codename) Tupolev Tu-104, a twin jet civilian transport.
2. (Nickname) Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, with added electronics pod.

Camp-
(NATO Codename) Antonov An-8, twin turboprop transport.

Can Opener-
(Nickname) USS Wasp CV-18, during the early 1950’s. Earned the nickname after she rammed and sunk the USS Hobson DMS-26, in 1951.

Canal-
The Island of Guadalcanal.

Canberra-
1. The English Electric medium bomber.
2. The Martin B-57 medium bomber, of the Vietnam War.

Candid-
(NATO Codename) Ilyushin Il-76, a four engine jet transport.

Candy Stripers-
(Squadron Nickname) VMF-122, that operated the F4F Wildcat, F4U Corsair, FH-1 Phantom, F9F Cougar, &
FJ Fury. Saw service in World War II.

Cannonballs-
(Squadron Nickname) VMF-322, flew the F4U Corsair, during World War II.

Canoe-
(Nickname) The protruding radome on the underside of the EF-111 Raven & the E-8 Joint Star.

CANX-
(Short) Cancelled.

CAP-
1. (Short) Combat Air Patrol.
2. (Short) Civil Air Patrol.

Cape-
(Nickname) USS Cape Esperance CVE-88; a Casablanca Class Escort Carrier.

Capital Express-
(Squadron Nickname) VR-53 that flies the C-130 Hercules.

Capital Guardians-
(Squadron Nickname) 121st Fighter Squadron, that flies the F-16 Falcon for the Maryland Air National Guard.

Capital Skyliners-
(Squadron Nickname) VR-48 that flies the C-20 Gulfstream III.

Captain Shreve Squadron-
(Squadron Nickname) 32nd ARS, that flies the KC-135.

Careless-
(NATO Codename) Tupolev Tu-154, a tri-jet civilian transport.

Cargomaster-
The Douglas C-133, heavy transport.

Caribou-
The DeHavilland C-7, light transport of the Vietnam War.

Carrier Cats-
A series of Grumman built fighters that served from American, British, & French aircraft carriers. They would include the F4F “Wildcat”, the F6F “Hellcat”, the F7F “Tigercat”, the F8F “Bearcat”, the F9F “Panther”,
the F-9 “Cougar”, the F11F/F-11 “Tiger”, the F-14 “Tomcat”, and the unsuccessful F10F “Jaguar”.

Cart-
(NATO Codename) Tupolev Tu-70; a transport version of the Tu-4.

Case Maru-
(Nickname) USS Case DD-370; a Mahan Class Destroyer.

Cash-
(NATO Codename) Antonov An-28, a turboprop version of the An-14, light transport.

Casket Chariot-
(Nickname) Lockheed C-141 Starlifter.

Cat-
1. (NATO Codename) Antonov An-10, a four engine turboprop transport.
2. The Consolidated PBY Catalina.

Cat Eyed Devils-
(Japanese, Nickname) U.S. PT Boats during World War II.

Catalina-
The Consolidated PBY/OA-10, maritime patrol seaplane.

Caterpillar Club-
(WWII) A club of aircrew that had to bail out from a damaged or disabled aircraft.

Cava Maru-
(Nickname) USS Cavalier AP-82/APA-37; a Bayfield Class Amphibious Attack Troop Transport. Her nickname was also shorted to “Cav”.

Caydet-
The Stearman and Boeing built PT-13, PT-17, PT-18, & PT-27. A line of rugged built bi-planes, that were used during World War II, as pilot training.

CB-
Navy designation for a Battle Cruiser.

CB Air Force-
(Nickname) Applied to VMF-222, “Flying Deuces”, during World War II. CB stood for Construction Battalion, or “Sea Bee’s”.

CC- Navy designation for a Command Ship.

CCF-
(Korea, Short) Chinese Communist Forces.

Century-
The 100th Infantry Division, which served in Europe in World War II.

Century Fighters-
The series of fighters produced for the US Air Force in the 1950s’ and 1960’s. They include the
North American F-100 “Super Sabre”; the McDonnell F-101 “Voodoo”; the Convair F-102 “Delta Dagger”;
the Lockheed F-104 “Starfighter”; the Republic F-105 “Thunderchief”; and the Convair F-106 “Delta Dart”.

Cessna Suck & Blow-
(Nickname) Cessna O-2 Skymaster, in Vietnam.

CG-
Navy designation for a Guided Missile Cruiser.

CGAS-
(Short) Coast Guard Air Station.

CGN-
Navy designation for a Nuclear Guided Missile Cruiser.

Chaffee-
Name for the M-24 Light Tank, used during the Korean War.

Chairborne Rangers-
(Slang) Any US Air Force member, who does not fly.

Champ-
(Nickname) USS Lake Champlain, CV-39. An Essex Class aircraft carrier.

Champion-
Aeronca L-16, Liaison aircraft of the Korean War.

Champion Kamikaze Killer-
(Nickname) USS Hugh W. Hadley DD-774, an Allen M. Sumner Class Destroyer. She earned the nickname scoring an impressive record of confirmed kamikazes shot down.

Chapparral-
Army Variant of the AIM-9 “Sidewinder”. The M48A1 Surface to Air Missile, is mounted on a M730A2 tracked vehicle.

Charger-
(NATO Codename) Tupolev Tu-144. A Soviet version of the Concorde Supersonic Transport.

Chargers-
1. (Squadron Nickname) VA/VF-161, VFA-27; that operated the A-4 Skyhawk, F-4 Phantom II & the
F/A-18 Hornet. The unit had been renumbered during its transition into the Hornet.
2.(Squadron Nickname) HS-14, that operates the SH-60 Seahawk.

Chargin’ Cheetahs-
(Squadron Nickname) 560th Flying Training Squadron, that flies the T-38 Talon.

Charlie-
(Codeword) Letter C.

Charlie Chicken-
(Squadron Nickname) 186th Fighter Squadron, that flew the F-16 Falcon for the Montana Air National Guard. Squadron became known as “Big Sky”

Charlie R-
(Nickname) USS Charles R. Ware DD-865; a Gearing Class Destroyer.

Charlie 46-
(Nickname) Curtiss C-46 Commando.

Chattanooga Rebel on Wheels-
(Nickname) General Gabriel R. Paul, Confederate Army.

Checkerboard-
The 99th Infantry Division, that saw service in Europe during WWII.

Checkerboards-
(Squadron Nickname) VMF/VMFA-312; saw service in World War II & the Korean War. Operated the
F4U Corsair, F7F Tigercat, F9F Cougar, FJ Fury, F-8 Crusader, F-4 Phantom II & the F/A-18 Hornet.

Checkmates-
1. (Squadron Nickname) VS-22 that flies the S-3 Viking.
2. (Squadron Nickname) VF-211 that flew the F-8 Crusader, & F-14 Tomcat.

Cherokee Strikes-
(Codename) Interdiction Missions in Korea.

Cherry Blossom-
(Codename) Island of Bougainville, during World War II.

Chesapeake Raider-
(Nickname) USS Wyoming BB-32/AG-17, during World War II. Trained Gun Crews, on the Chesapeake River, during World War II.

Chesty-
(Nickname) Colonel Chester Puller, US Marine Corps. World War II.

Chevy-
1. (Nickname) USS Chevalier DD-451, a Fletcher Class Destroyer.
2. (Nickname) USS Chevalier DD-805, a Gearing Class Destroyer.

Chicago Piano-
The unsuccessful 1.1mm anti-aircraft guns. Four barrels were mounted together, and the barrels were water cooled.

Chiefs-
(Squadron Nickname) 335 FIS/FS; earned their fame during the Korean War flying the F-86 Sabre, the currently fly the F-15 Eagle.

Chimney-
(WWII) A series of German early warning radar stations.

Chinese Fire Drill-
(Slang) A complete lack of coordination or smartness.

Ching-
(Nickname) Vice Admiral Willis A. Lee, commander of US Battleships during World War II.

Chinook-
The Boeing-Vertol CH-47, twin rotor; heavy lift helicopter.

Choctaw-
The Sikorsky H-34, troop helicopter.

Chomp-
(WWII, Slang) to apply wheel brakes bastily on an airplane.

Chopper-
(Slang)Any Helicopter.

Chow-
Meal Time.

Chow Hall-
Mess Hall, Mess Tent, or a Dining Facility.

Chow Line-
1. Meal Line.
2. (WWII, Slang) A Japanese fighter formation.

Christmas Tree-
A small directional standard that is placed on a map.

Chucky V-
(Nickname) USS Carl Vinson CVN-70, a Nimitz Class Nuclear Aircraft Carrier.

Chuff-
(Nickname) Grumman/General Motors TBF/TBM Avenger.

Cigarette-
A type of Electronic Countermeasures used against German bombers, during World War II.

Cinderella Liberty-
(Navy) Got to be back by Midnight.

Citation-
The Cessna (Model 560) UC-35, passenger transport.

Civilian in Uniform-
(Slang) An US Air Force member, to other branches of service.

Civil War-
Modern term used to describe the War of Rebellion, that engulfed the United States between 1861-1865.

Civvies-
Civilian Clothes.

CL-
Navy designation for a Light Cruiser.

Clam-
(NATO Codename) Soviet Ilyushin Il-18.

Clank-
1. (NATO Codename) Soviet Antonov An-30; the reconnaissance version of the Antonov An-24.
2. (WWII) To become nervous.

Clansmen-
(Squadron Nickname) VA-46 that operated the A-7 Corsair II, during the Persian Gulf War. (Disestablished)

Classic-
(NATO Codename) Soviet Ilyushin Il-26; a 4 rear jet transport.

Claude-
(Allied Codename) Japanese Mitsubishi A5M.

Cleat-
(NATO Codename) Soviet Tupolev Tu-104; transport version of the Tu-95.

Cline-
(NATO Codename) Soviet Antonov An-32; an overwing version of the Antonov An-26.

Clipper-
1. The Boeing C-98 Flying Boat of World War II. Clippers were formerly operated by Pan Am Airlines, prior to the break out of World War II.
2. The Boeing C-40 Transport of the US Air Force & Navy.

Clobber-
1. (Slang) To destroy or inflict serious damage.
2. (Slang) To confuse or foul up.
3. (Slang) To crash land.
4. (NATO Codename) Soviet Yakovlev Yak-42; an enlarged version of the Yakovlev Yak-40.

Clock Basher-
(Slang) A technician who works with aircraft instrumentation.

Clod-
(NATO Codename) Soviet Antonov An-14; a light twin piston engine transport aircraft.

Cloverleaf-
The 88th Infantry Division, that saw service in Europe in World War II.

Clunk-
(Nickname) Douglas SBD/A-24 Dauntless.

Coach-
(NATO Codename) Soviet Ilyushin Il-12; a twin piston engine transport.

Coaler-
(NATO Codename) Soviet Antonov An-72; a STOL replacement for the An-26.

Cobra-
The Bell AH-1, attack helicopter. A development of the Bell UH-1 Iroquois.

Cobras-
1. (Squadron Nickname) 138th Fighter Squadron, that operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon for the
New York Air National Guard.
2. (Squadron Nickname) 39th Flying Training Squadron, that operates the T-38 Talon, & the T-6 Texan II.

Cock-
(NATO Codename) Soviet Antonov An-22; a four turboprop heavy transport.

Cockerel-
(British) An IFF transponder on an aircraft.

Cockroach-
(Nickname) Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk. Since it only comes out at night.

Cocooning-
The process of mothballing a plane, ship or vehicle, for further use in the future.

Codling-
(NATO Codename) Soviet Yakovlev Yak-40, a tri-jet light transport.

Coffin Corner-
(WWII) The last plane in the lowest row, in a bomber formation.

COIN-
(Acronym) COunter INsurgency, used during the Korean & Vietnam Wars.

Coke-
(NATO Codename) Soviet Antonov An-24, a twin turboprop transport.

Cold Meat-
(Slang) A sitting duck.

Colo Maru-
(Nickname) USS Colorado BB-45, a Colorado Class Battleship.

Colorado Cougars-
(Squadron Nickname) 120th Fighter Squadron, that flies the F-16 Falcon for the Colorado Air National Guard.

Colt-
(NATO Codename) Soviet Antonov An-2, a biplane transport.

Comanche-
The cancelled Boeing-Sikorsky RAH-66; 3rd generation attack helicopter.

Commando-
The Curtiss C-46; heavy transport of World War II, and during the Korean War.

Commie-
(Slang) Any Communist, or Communist Country.

Condor-
1. The Keystone B-2 bomber, during World War I.
2. (NATO Codename) Soviet Antonov An-124. The Soviet version of the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy.

Condors-
1. (Squadron Nickname) VP-64, that operates the P-3 Orion.
2. (Squadron Nickname) HMH-464, that operates the CH-53 Sea Stallion.

Connie-
1. (Nickname) USS Constellation CV-64; a Kitty Hawk Class Aircraft Carrier.
2. (Nickname) The Lockheed C-69 Constellation, transport of World War II.
3. (Nickname)The Lockheed C-121 Super Constellation, transport of the Vietnam War.

Conquistadors-
(Squadron Nickname) VR-57 that operates the C-9B Skytrain II & currently the C-40 Clipper.

Conservatory-
(WWII) A transparent gun turret on an aircraft.

Constellation-
The Lockheed C-69.

Contrail-
A condensation trail, from the exhaust vapors of an aircrafts engines. At high altitudes, the exhaust collects moisture, forming white trails.

Converter-
(Nickname) Cessna T-37 Tweet. It converts fuel into noise.

Cookie-
1. (WWII) A large bomb.
2. The camp or ships cook.

Cookpot-
(NATO Codename) Soviet Tupolev Tu-124; a smaller version of the Tu-104.

Coonass Militia-
(Squadron Nickname) 122nd Fighter Squadron, that operated the F-15 for the Louisiana Air National Guard. Squadron became known as “Bayou Militia”.

Coop-
(WWII) The cockpit and/or canopy, on an aircraft.

Coot-
(NATO Codename) Soviet Ilyushin Il-18, a four turboprop airliner.

Copperheads-
(Squadron Nickname) 197th AREFS/ARS, that operated the KC-97 Stratotanker & the KC-135 Stratotanker, for the Arizona Air National Guard.

Copter-
(Short) Helicopter.

Coral Maru-
(Nickname) USS Coral Sea CV-43. A Midway Class aircraft carrier.

Cornell-
The primary trainer built by Fairchild, Fleet, and Aeronica. The name applied to the PT-19, PT-23, and the
PT-26 trainers.

Coronado-
The Consolidated PB2Y; flying boat replacement for the PBY Catalina.

Corporal-
The A-17 Surface to Air Missile of the Cold War.

Corsair-
1. The Vought O2U, observation/attack aircraft used by the US Marines, during the “Banana Wars” of the
1920’s.
2. The Chance Vought F4U/AU series of fighters during World War II and during the Korean War.
3. The Vought/LTV A-7 (Corsair II), that saw service during the Vietnam War, and during the Persian Gulf War.

Cotton Pickers-
(Squadron Nickname) 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, that operated the RF-86 during the Korean War.

Cougar-
The Grumman F9F-8/F-9H Naval jet fighter of the mid to late 1950’s.

Cougars-
(Squadron Nickname) VAQ-139, that operates the EA-6 Prowler.

Covered Wagon-
(Nickname) USS Langley CV-1/AV-3; Langley Class Aircraft Carrier.

Cowboys-
(Squadron Nickname) VMF-112, that flew the FJ Fury, F-8 Crusader, F-4 Phantom II, & the F/A-18 Hornet.

Coyotes-
(Squadron Nickname) HMLA-775, that operates the AH-1 Cobra/UH-1 Iroquois.

Cradle of the Air Force-
(Nickname) Fairchild PT-19 Cornell, Trainer.

CRAF-
(Short) Civilian Reserve Air Fleet. Civilian Airlines that operate their aircraft for Military needs.

Cranked Wing-
(Slang) Inverted Gull Wing, on the F4U Corsair, and others.

Crashhawk-
(Nickname) Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk.

Crate-
1. (WWII, Slang) An old or little used aircraft.
2. (NATO Codename) Soviet Ilyushin Il-14. A development of the Il-12 Coach.

Crawfishers-
(Squadron Nickname) VP-94, that operates the P-3 Orion.

Crazy Eight-
(Nickname) USS Topeka CLG-8, a Galveston Class Light Guided Missile Cruiser. Better known as “Baka Hachi”.

Creek-
1. (NATO Codename) Soviet Yakovlev Yak-12. A light transport.
2. Name for the TH-67A. US Army Helicopter Trainer.

Critter Fritters-
(Slang) Fried Mystery Meat. (See Also: Mystery Meat)

Crowd Killer-
(Nickname) Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar.

Crud-
(Nickname) Vought F8U/F-8 Crusader.

Crusader-
The Vought F8U/F-8, naval fighter of from the late 1950s’ to the mid 1970s’. The Crusader established an excellent record in the skies over Vietnam.

Crusaders-
1. (Squadron Nickname) VMF-121, VMFA-121; that flew the F-8 Crusader, F-4 Phantom II, & the
F/A-18 Hornet.
2. (Squadron Nickname) 523 FIS/523 FS; flew the F-84 Thunderjet, F-111 Aardvark & the
F-16 Fighting Falcon. Saw service during the Korean War.

Crusader College-
(Squadron Nickname) VF-124, that operated the F-8 Crusader. Later known as VF-124 “Gunfighters”.

Crusty-
(NATO Codename) Soviet Tupolev Tu-134, a rear jet version of the Tupolev Tu-124 airliner.

CSA-
Short for the Confederate States of America, or the Confederate States Army. Used during the War of Rebellion 1861-1865.

CSAR-
(Acronym) Combat Search And Rescue.

Cub-
(NATO Codename) Soviet Antonov An-12, a four turboprop transport.

Cuff-
(NATO Codename) Soviet Beriev Be-12, a light transport with STOL capabilities.

Cumshaw-
(Navy, Slang) Naval Trading. “Keeps the Fleet Running”.

Cumulo Granite-
(Slang) A cloud enshrouded mountain.

Cunt Cap-
(Slang) A Garrison Cap.

Curl-
(NATO Codename) Soviet Antonov An-26; a rear door variant of the Antonov An-24.

Custer-
The 85th Infantry Division, served in World War I and in Europe during World War II.

CV-
1. Navy designation for a Fleet Aircraft Carrier. 1922-1952.
2. Navy designation for a Multi-Purpose Aircraft Carrier. 1975-Present.

CVA-
Navy designation for an Attack Aircraft Carrier. 1952-1975.

CVAN-
Navy designation for a Nuclear Attack Aircraft Carrier. 1961-1975.

CVB-
Navy designation for a Battle Aircraft Carrier. 1945-1952.

CVE-
Navy designation for an Escort Carrier. 1944-1959.

CVH-
Navy designation for a Helicopter Carrier. (None Served in Active Duty).

CVL-
Navy designation for a Light Aircraft Carrier. 1943-1959.

CVN-
Navy designation for a Multi-Purpose Nuclear Aircraft Carrier. 1975-Present.

CVS-
Navy designation for a Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft Carrier. 1952-1975.

CVT-
Navy designation for a Training Aircraft Carrier. 1969-1978.

CVU-
Navy designation for a Utility Aircraft Carrier. 1959-1975. (Few served actively)

CVV-
Navy designation for a Vertical Aircraft Carrier. (1970’s) Proposal only, none commissioned. Role assigned to Amphibious Assault Ships.

CVW-
Navy designation for a Carrier Air Wing.

Cyclone-
The 38th Infantry Division, served in World War I and in the Pacific during World War II.

Cyclones-
(Squadron Nickname) VAW-120, that operates the E-2 Hawkeye.

Cypress-
(Allied Codename) Nippon Ki-86.



This list was created by Jon Stacy and is displayed on MaritimeQuest with his permission.
This information may not be duplicated, displayed or published without the express written consent of the author.

© 2006 John Stacy All Rights Reserved.



If you have an addition, correction or clarification please
email John Stacy.