# What will the military name the upcoming "Operation"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 14, 2001, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717 "2001-09-14T23:31:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Powers106](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@Powers106](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Powers106)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2001, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717/1 "2001-09-14T23:31:22Z")
I guess the OP is really - how do they assign the names of the operations such as Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, etc.? These catchy, strong names sound like they are formulated to appeal to the public, but there must be more to it than that, right? (granted it must be reasonable, like the Gulf War wouldn’t have “Mountain” in the title for obvious reasons…)(having said that, someone is bound to post a response listing all the important mountains in the Gulf region, blah blah blah)(and my response to them would be, “you’re not from around here, don’t you?”)(But I digress…). Any guesses as to what this next one will be called? Operation Extermination? ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2001, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717/2 "2001-09-14T23:39:22Z")
“Waking Giant” ---
**Author:** ![Cap\_n\_Crude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Cap\_n\_Crude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cap_n_Crude)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717/3 "2001-09-15T00:12:59Z")
The operation will have two phases. Phase one will be called “Operation: Human Shield.” Phase two is “Operation: Get Behind the Darkies.” 😉 (Don’t blame me; I heard it in a movie …) The military usually has nothing to do with names like “Operation: Just Cause” or “Operation: Desert Storm.” That’s public relations – usually those names are proposed by the President for their sound-bite value. AFAIK, real military operation names are generated at random for security purposes – it will probably be something like “Operation: Monkey Actual” or “Operation: Local Blender.” They will fall under the aegis of whatever Dubya decides to call this. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717/4 "2001-09-15T03:28:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cap’n Crude \* > **The operation will have two phases. Phase one will be called “Operation: Human Shield.” Phase two is “Operation: Get Behind the Darkies.” 😉 (Don’t blame me; I heard it in a movie …)** You’re not required to repeat every indelicate joke you hear in a movie. Please be more circumspect in the future. bibliophage moderator GQ ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717/5 "2001-09-15T03:33:15Z")
I got quite a kick from “Operation: Local Blender”. ---
**Author:** ![jk1245](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/49beb7/32.png) [@jk1245](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jk1245)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717/6 "2001-09-15T03:52:59Z")
I like the name the Israelis gave to their response the '72 Olympic terrorists: “the Wrath of God” ---
**Author:** ![Philosophocles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Philosophocles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philosophocles)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717/7 "2001-09-15T03:55:15Z")
“Operation Koko B. Ware Says You’d Better Be-Ware” ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717/8 "2001-09-15T05:08:56Z")
MPSIMS is a better place for suggestions. What we can do here is answer the the question of how the names are chosen in practice. bibliophage moderator GQ ---
**Author:** ![evilhanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba8739/32.png) [@evilhanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilhanz)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717/9 "2001-09-15T05:20:26Z")
Back in the days of Desert Storm, I recall reporters discussing this issue. Apparently, the mission designations are determined randomly from a pre-selected list of names, probably by computer. Unfortunately, I’m having difficulty locating cites to back this up, but perhaps that information will help in your search. ---
**Author:** ![Cap\_n\_Crude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Cap\_n\_Crude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cap_n_Crude)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717/10 "2001-09-15T06:24:01Z")
Apologies, **Biblio** and others. I figured the _South Park_ movie was safe ground. ---
**Author:** ![dingleburg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@dingleburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dingleburg)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717/11 "2001-09-16T14:26:54Z")
it’s operation noble eagle. I think they have some failed madison avenue types who come up with the names. Remember “operation manhood”–the rescue of the mayaguez crew during Ford’s administration? I’ve taken to naming all of my operations things like “operation cocky philistine”–my day at the art museum, and “operation spastic colon”–the afternoon I toyed with the notion of driving up to New York to volunteer to help. Why should the defense department have all the fun? BTW, don’t go to New York to volunteer to help–they don’t want any more amateurs and they have plenty of professionals. Don’t send food, either. Just send blood, money, and prayers. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717/12 "2001-09-16T16:02:48Z")
“Operation Risk” Based on the board game of the same name. Or “Operation Microsoft Flight Simulator” Based on the fact that you can use that game to fly a plane into WTC! Believe it or not, they showed that on tv. ---
**Author:** ![dqa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dqa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dqa)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717/13 "2001-09-16T17:18:35Z")
From NPR’s All Things Considered, August 23: [Naming Military Operations (RealAudio file)](http://www.npr.org/ramfiles/atc/20010823.atc.12.ram) > [@](#): > > Unlike days of yore when commanders labeled military operations, the Pentagon today relies on a computer program called NICKA to generate operational nicknames, such as Operation Sharp Guard, Operation Able Sentry, or Operation Support Hope. Robert and Linda review some recent names. (1:30) They could not pin down a specific person that makes the final decision on a name. ---
**Author:** ![FisherQueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@FisherQueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FisherQueen)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717/14 "2001-09-16T17:25:24Z")
The name has been announced as “Operation Noble Eagle.” Considering some of the ideas that have been circulating, including this [http://members-http-5.rwc1.sfba.home.net/biffsparky/WTC/](http://members-http-5.rwc1.sfba.home.net/biffsparky/WTC/) I think it’s oddly appropriate. We will, after all, show the terrorists the bird. ---
**Author:** ![dqa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dqa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dqa)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717/15 "2001-09-16T17:42:42Z")
I believe Noble Eagle refers to the defense of airports and such. Overseas military operations will have other names. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find mention of Noble Eagle anywhere on the web to give a cite. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717/16 "2001-09-16T20:26:55Z")
You’re right, **dqa**. From CNN > [@](#): > > The Pentagon on Saturday dubbed the U.S. military’s increased role in homeland defense and support for civil authorities “Operation Noble Eagle.” The operation includes Navy ships protecting both coasts; fighter overflights protecting airspace over the Northeast Corridor; and the call-up of 35,000 reserve troops to aid with those missions and assisting in recovery efforts in New York and Washington. > [http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/09/16/gen.america.under.attack/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/09/16/gen.america.under.attack/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717/17 "2001-09-16T20:29:28Z")
I recall during the Gulf War everyone was saying “When Desert Shield becomes Desert Sword.” Of course it wound up being called Desert Storm so I don’t know who even came up with Desert Sword. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717/18 "2001-09-16T21:53:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Markxxx \* > \*\*I recall during the Gulf War everyone was saying “When Desert Shield becomes Desert Sword.” Of course it wound up being called Desert Storm so I don’t know who even came up with Desert Sword. \*\* According to [this site](http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/ops/desert_sabre.htm), Desert Sword was the ground operation. It was subsequently renamed Desert Sabre. I believe Desert Storm was the air war. Robin ---
**Author:** ![Man\_from\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Man\_from\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_from_Mars)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717/19 "2001-09-16T23:09:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dingleburg \* > \*\* > > BTW, don’t go to New York to volunteer to help–they don’t want any more amateurs and they have plenty of professionals. Don’t send food, either. Just send blood, money, and prayers. \*\* I would not even begin to use the word “amateur” to describe those people who have come from all over to help in the rescue effort. ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717/20 "2001-09-17T02:46:34Z")
They gave a list of items they needed tonight, but I personally don’t have a lot of welting supplies laying around. **Operation Long Haul** [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-military-name-the-upcoming-operation/81717.md?page=2)