427th Reconnaissance Squadron Call Signs

[cmastrk]

On 18 February 2014 at approximately 11:15 PM, two MC-12W were inbound to Beale Air Force Base. A transmission from an aircraft passing overhead along the lines of "Spartan 53, gear down." Roughly five minutes later, a broken transmission was picked up and I made out what sounded like "Cougar 53" at the opening. I've listened to the aircraft at night from time to time and I believe they've always used the call sign Cougar. However, the 427th Reconnaissance Squadron's web site clearly indicates they are the Spartans. After searching the web, the only reference I found to the call sign Spartan was for OPS ArNG Sacramento, CA. Can anybody possibly assist in clearing this dual call sign situation up with me?

REFERENCES
Military Comms Military Callsign Database Search - Spartan
Military Comms Military Callsign Database Search - Cougar
Factsheets : 427th Reconnaissance Squadron

 

[larry14]

I have heard them use Spartan when flying exercises over at MWTC as well

 

[jimvm]

MC-12W KBAB

For what it's worth, you can monitor the Cougars and Spartans over Beale AFB on 253.200 MHz.

jim vm

 

[cmastrk]

For what it's worth, you can monitor the Cougars and Spartans over Beale AFB on 253.200 MHz.

jim vm

The Uniden I'm using cuts off at 224.980 MHz. At this point, I'm catching exchanges on 119.400 MHz and 125.400 MHz.

 

[kma371]

On 18 February 2014 at approximately 11:15 PM, two MC-12W were inbound to Beale Air Force Base. A transmission from an aircraft passing overhead along the lines of "Spartan 53, gear down." Roughly five minutes later, a broken transmission was picked up and I made out what sounded like "Cougar 53" at the opening. I've listened to the aircraft at night from time to time and I believe they've always used the call sign Cougar. However, the 427th Reconnaissance Squadron's web site clearly indicates they are the Spartans. After searching the web, the only reference I found to the call sign Spartan was for OPS ArNG Sacramento, CA. Can anybody possibly assist in clearing this dual call sign situation up with me?

REFERENCES
Military Comms Military Callsign Database Search - Spartan
Military Comms Military Callsign Database Search - Cougar
Factsheets : 427th Reconnaissance Squadron

I believe the call sign is SPARTA not SPARTAN but the fact sheet does say SPARTAN. I pick them up on ADS-B using mode S when they fly into KSCK doing practice landings.

 

[jsoergel]

On 18 February 2014 at approximately 11:15 PM, two MC-12W were inbound to Beale Air Force Base. A transmission from an aircraft passing overhead along the lines of "Spartan 53, gear down." Roughly five minutes later, a broken transmission was picked up and I made out what sounded like "Cougar 53" at the opening. I've listened to the aircraft at night from time to time and I believe they've always used the call sign Cougar. However, the 427th Reconnaissance Squadron's web site clearly indicates they are the Spartans. After searching the web, the only reference I found to the call sign Spartan was for OPS ArNG Sacramento, CA. Can anybody possibly assist in clearing this dual call sign situation up with me?

COUGAR is the 489th RS, SPARTA is the 427th RS.

 

[cmastrk]

Thanks all for the information. I wasn't aware of two RS operating MC-12 here at Beale. Now that this has been made obvious, that will make my evenings watching their maneuvers much clearer!

 

[Intellifax]

Does the 12 RS (RQ-4) also use the COUGAR callsign, or just the 489th?

 

[cmastrk]

Does the 12 RS (RQ-4) also use the COUGAR callsign, or just the 489th?

I'm not certain of that. I've a friend who's a former pilot of the RQ-4 at BealeBeale, but he's always been quite dodgy concerning the Hawk

 

[jsoergel]

I'm not certain of that. I've a friend who's a former pilot of the RQ-4 at BealeBeale, but he's always been quite dodgy concerning the Hawk

12th RS uses HAWK 1# for local sorties.

 

[BMT]

09-0662 SPARTA55 2014-02-26 23:57:20 MC-12W United States USAF | 9RW | 489RS [KBAB]