US Military Planes Criss-Cross Europe Using Bogus Call Signs

US Military Planes Criss-Cross Europe Using Bogus Call Signs

This article needs to be verified before I write extensively regarding the use of phony call signs and misleading flight plans by military craft. However, there are several treaties, conventions (another name for treaties) and international laws that may come into play, including the Convention on International Civil Aviation (aka Chicago Convention); multiple "open skies agreements" that allow civilian aircraft into sovereign air space but prohibit military use without specific authorization; and at least a dozen multilateral and bilateral international agreements.

"THE American military have been operating flights across Europe using a call sign assigned to a civilian airline that they have no legal right to use.
Not only is the call sign bogus — according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) — so, it appears, are some of the aircraft details the Americans have filed with the air traffic control authorities.

In at least one case, a plane identified with the CIA practice of “extraordinary rendition” — transporting terrorist suspects — left a US air base just after the arrival of an aircraft using the bogus call sign.

The call sign Juliet Golf Oscar (JGO) followed by a flight number belongs, says the ICAO, to a now bankrupt Canadian low-cost airline called Jetsgo of Montreal.

But for several years and as recently as last December it has been used selectively by both the American air force and army to cover the flights of aircraft to and from the Balkans.

These range from Learjet 35 executive jets to C-130 transport planes and MC-130P Combat Shadows, which are specially adapted for clandestine missions in politically sensitive or hostile territory.

A Sunday Times analysis of flight plans and radio logs has placed these aircraft at locations including Tuzla in Bosnia, Pristina in Kosovo, Aviano, the site of a large joint US-Italian military air base in northern Italy, and Ramstein in Germany, the headquarters of the US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE)."

As soon as I complete some more research, I will comment on the lawfulness and appropriateness of this practice, as well as whether or not the facts can be confirmed.