Blog: Marine Battalion uses numerous tribes as call signs

Monday, May 16, 2011  

"From the Apache helicopter to the Tomahawk missile, a variety of gear, vehicles and weapons have been assigned Native American names — including the Marine battalion in one of the most dangerous places in Afghanistan right now.

First Battalion, 5th Marines, out of Camp Pendleton, Calif., uses “Geronimo” as its call sign. The unit is currently patrolling Sangin district, where its sister battalion, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, engaged late last year in some of the heaviest fighting of the Afghan war.

Marines with 1/5 aren’t shy about using the Geronimo name, either. On May 4, the unit posted on Facebook a full list of Native American-inspired call signs that are used by various elements of the battalion:

Geronimo 101: Call Signs.

Battalion: Geronimo

H&S Company: Huron

Alpha Company: Apache

Bravo Company: Blackfoot

Charlie Company: Cherokee

Weapons Company: Whitehorse

CAAT Platoons: Tomahawk 1 & 2

81mm Mortar Platoon: Mohawk

Scout Sniper Platoon: Seminole

Advisor Team: Dakota

Police Advisor Team 1: Comanche

Police Advisor Team 2: Shawnee"

Get the Story:
Battle Rattle: Native American call signs used in Afghanistan by 1/5 Marines (The Marine Corps Times 5/16)

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