“Yes” or “affirmative.”
Signal structure
Charlie is a square flag divided into five equal horizontal bands. From top to bottom, the sequence is blue, white, red, white, and blue, producing a horizontally symmetrical pattern.
Operational use
Flown alone, Charlie answers a question or signal in the affirmative. Within a multi-flag hoist, the same cloth can represent the letter C as part of a coded group, so its meaning depends on the complete signal and context.
Recognition notes
The red center band is isolated between two white bands, with blue at both outer edges. This sequence distinguishes Charlie from other striped alphabet flags when viewed at distance.
Source trail
U.S. Naval Service Training Command: Cadet Reference Manual, signal flags ↗
Naval History and Heritage Command: phonetic alphabet and signal flags ↗