FM 21-60
FIELD MANUAL
No. 21-60

HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Washington, DC, 30 September 1987

FM 21-60 VISUAL SIGNALS

CHAPTER 3

Chapter 3
FLAG SIGNALS FOR ARMORED AND MECHANIZED UNITS
3-1. GENERAL
a. Flags are issued to armored and mechanized units for control purposes and as an alternate means of communication within these units. Each combat vehicle is equipped with a flag set consisting of one red, one yellow, and one green flag. Flag signals may be given by using a single flag or a combination of two or three flags, according to a prearranged code. Flag signals, when understood, are repeated and executed at once (Figures 3-1 through 3-7).

b. Flags are used to:

(1) Mark vehicle positions. For example, a quartering party member uses colored flags in an assembly area to mark positions.
(2) Identify disabled vehicles.
(3) Warn friendly elements of an advancing enemy. For example, an observation post uses a flag to signal a platoon to move to its fighting position.
(4) Control movement. Flags serve as an extension of arm-and-hand signals when distances between vehicles become too great.

c. When used alone, flag colors have the following meanings.

(1) Red - DANGER, or ENEMY IN SIGHT.
(2) Green - ALL CLEAR, READY, or UNDERSTOOD.
(3) Yellow - DISREGARD, or VEHICLE OUT OF ACTION.

d. During periods of limited visibility flashlights with colored filters or colored chemical lights may be substituted for flags.

Figure 3-1 Use of a Signal Flag		Figure 3-2 Mount
Figure 3-3 Dismount		Figure 3-4 Dismount & Assault
Figure 3-5 Assemble or Close	Figure 3-6 Move Out	Figure 3-7 Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Hazard Present

3-2. Firing Range Flag Signals
Signal flags are used on firing ranges for tanks or fighting vehicles to indicate the status of the range and the status of the individual vehicle. A red flag at the control point indicates that firing may be conducted, wide a green flag indicates that it may not (Figures 3-8 through 3-12).

Figure 3-8 All Weapons Clear (Guns Elevated)	Figure 3-9 Conducting Live Fire	Figure 3-10 Conducting Prepare-to-Fire or Non-Firing Exercises (Ammunition is Uploaded and the System is on Safe)
Figure 3-11 Malfunction - Weapons Clear		Figure 3-12 Malfunction - Weapons Loaded

DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

*This publication supersedes FM 21-60, 10 December 1984.

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