From the Crows' Nest

In this episode of From the Crow’s Nest, host Ken Miller speaks with Jarrett Holcomb, a senior research engineer at the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). Jarrett launched his career by developing an EW-centric test software called SPARTA, which later won an R&D 100 award. He was also recently recognized as an AOC Future 5 for his contributions to the Electromagnetic Warfare community. In recent years, Jarrett has focused on researching next-generation receiver architectures that meet the demanding requirements of future threats. Jarrett and Ken discuss advancements in wideband technology, open systems architectures, and the role of artificial intelligence in changing data processing for electronic intelligence. They later note the organizational challenges in trying to implement next-generation technology.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller sits down with retired US Air Force Lieutenant General Lance Landrum during AOC 2023 to discuss Strategic Partnerships and Alliances. General Landrum was a keynote speaker on the last day of the annual symposium. He is the former 23rd Deputy Chair of The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Military Committee. In this capacity, helped forge consensus among Allies on military advice and recommendations for bolstering NATO’s deterrence and defense. Prior to this assignment General Landrum served as the United States European Command Director of Operations (J3) and the Joint Staff J8 Deputy Director for Requirements and Capability Development, where he stood up and ran the Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Cross Functional Team. They discuss how the integration of cyber and space capabilities into traditional warfare domains alters the strategic landscape for the U.S. and its allies and what lessons can General Landrum share to advance EMS superiority through international partnerships. To learn more about AOC 2023, please visit our homepage.

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by Day 3 Keynote Speaker Vice Admiral Francis Morley, US Navy. Admiral Morley is the Principle Military Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition. They discuss the the current state of play in today’s Department of the Navy acquisition efforts, including specific areas of EW, the challenges of today and tomorrow, opportunities, and our collective challenge going forward in today’s increasingly competitive world order. Ken is also joined by AOC Senior Analyst Matt Thompson for his insight into the myriad of topics discussed during the symposium this week.To learn more about AOC 2023, please visit our homepage.

In this special episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller welcomes Col. William “Dollar” Young, USAF (Ret.) and Maj. Gen. David Gaedecke, USAF (Ret.) to discuss their symposium session on Advancing EMS Superiority. Their session traces the spectrum superiority story arc from 2018 through the present, through the eyes of senior leaders particularly well-positioned to offer critical observations and fresh insights into the history, evolution, current status, and future of spectrum superiority. Ken also then sits down with AOC Senior Analyst Matt Thompson to “connect the dots” among the many sessions and technical briefings taking place this week. To learn more about AOC 2023, please visit our homepage.

In this episode of FTCN, host Ken Miller is joined by the opening keynote speaker, Lt Gen Matthew Glavy, Deputy Commandant for Information, US Marine Corps. Ken also sits with John Knowles, editor-in-chief of the JED magazine, and AOC International Board of Director Erik Bamford. They dive into the main themes of Day 1 of the symposium, which features discussions on the role of strategic alliances and partnerships in securing an EMS advantage in combat.To learn more about the AOC 2023, visit our homepage.

In this episode, Ken chats with Gordon Mansfield, Vice President of Global Technology Planning at AT&T Services. Mr. Mansfield manages AT&T’s investments in the electromagnetic spectrum. Ken and Mr. Mansfield discuss the importance of effectively sharing the electromagnetic spectrum between defense, government,and commercialoperations, as well as between nations around the world. They also explore the changing attitude from the Department of Defense towards sharing electromagnetic spectrum space. Mr. Mansfield also discusses the potential role Congress may play in the future of electromagnetic spectrum use and the complicated rollout of 5G access on military bases nationwide.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

In this episode, host Ken Miller sits down with Dylan Duplechain, the Chief Engineer of the US Air Force’s 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing. Ken and Dylan dive deeper into the mission and work of the Wing from a technology perspective. They discuss target waveform development and assessments, modernization of rapid reprogramming, cognitive electromagnetic warfare, and investment in the growth of the civilian workforce. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller sits down with longtime friend and colleague retired Colonel Laurie Buckhout to discuss a range of current challenges and opportunities facing the EMSO community, including how the US Army has achieved greater focus on EW in recent years, what lessons Col. Buckhout has learned as the first to lead the US Army’s EW Division more than a decade ago. They also discuss some opportunities on the horizon for EMSO, especially strengthening interoperability and compatibility with allies and partners around the world. Finally, Col. Buckhout shares some exciting news about the next step in her career. Laurie Buckhout is a retired US Army Colonel and decorated combat commander. She grew up on a farm in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and attended James Madison University on an ROTC Scholarship. She was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army Signal Corps in 1984. She spent the next 26 years in assignments around the world, including commanding an 800-person battalion task force as part of the initial spearhead attack into Iraq in 2003. She was tasked to lead the new EW Division that the US Army stood up around 2010. After retirement, she went on to start a very successful consulting company, which she recently sold. Today, she works tirelessly to continue her strong support for warfighters. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from James Madison University, a Master’s of Military Arts and Science in National Military Strategy, and a Master’s of Science in Information Management from Webster University. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

In this episode of From the Crows Nest, host Ken Miller sits down with Colonel Joshua Koslov, Commander of the U.S. Air Force 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing (SWW), out of Eglin Air Force Base in Pensacola, Florida. Now entering its third year, the SWW was established to address persistent gaps in U.S. Air Force EW that were highlighted across numerous studies and reports. The SWW is paving the way for better leadership and technology integration and reinvigorating a culture of EMS awareness in the Joint Force. Ken and Col. Koslov dive into the mission of the SWW, such as personnel shortages, effective training, assessing and enhancing, and the need for EW readiness and integrating EW capabilities into joint force operations. They also discuss the activation and role of the 950th Spectrum Warfare Group and the mission of the 68th Electronic Warfare Squadron (EWS) FMS Reprogramming Center, which supports foreign military sales partners by providing electronic warfare mission data. This mission directly enhances U.S. and coalition warfighters' combat capabilities and survivability. Finally, Ken and Col. Koslov discuss an October 2023 activation ceremony for Detachment 1, 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing, and Detachment 1, 87th Electronic Warfare Squadron, at Warner Robins Air Force Base, GA.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, we try to make sense of how to navigate the crazy labyrinth of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) regulatory regime. Host Ken Miller is joined by friend and colleague Steven Casazza, President of Defense Trade Solutions, a company dedicated to helping clients holistically approach international defense business. Ken and Steven discuss best practices, the most common mistakes, and what needs to be done to make this process easier without compromising national security. Whether you’re a US company selling abroad or a foreign company trying to do business in the US, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, Ken Miller sits down the Matt Thompson, AOC’s new Senior Analyst. Matt joined the AOC to provide operational and technical analysis of current trends in the military and industry. Matt brings years of experience in the EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler. Ken and Matt discuss a range of topics, including the rise of artificial intelligence, the fielding of the Navy’s Next Generation Jammer, and the arrival of the new EC-37B Compass Call.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller sits down with journalist, writer, and friend, Dr. Alix Valenti. Alix hosts her own podcast too, D-Fence, which focuses on European military and security issues. In this collaborative podcast effort, Ken and Alix discuss issues ranging from the art (and experimentation) of creating a podcast to the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning. In between, the cover current events, their perspectives on coalition operations, and trends in Naval EW and Undersea Warfare. You can learn more about Dr. Alix Valenti here.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

The AOC recently co-hosted a panel discussion with the Hudson Institute. Moderated by AOC President Brian Hinkley and Hudson Senior Fellow Timothy Walton, we hear from representatives Rick Larsen from Washington State, Don Bacon from Nebraska, and Chrissy Houlahan from Pennsylvania for an inside Congressional perspective on the EMSO space.As chairs of the Congressional Electronic Warfare Working Group, Representatives Larsen, Bacon, and Houlahan offer their combined expertise on a range of topics, including the defense budget, spectrum sharing, and the microelectronic supply chain.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.For more information about the Hudson Institute, visit their website.

As the Ukraine War continues, we are learning essential lessons for the EW and EMSO communities (hint: some of them are not new)... Host Ken Miller is joined by John Knowles and Colonel Jeff "Fish" Fischer for their insights into the broader impacts of these lessons and how we can (finally?) apply them to the changing global security landscapeーfrom defense budgets to military operations.In this mid-summer update, John Knowles and Jeff Fischer give their perspectives on the war in Ukraine, delivering UAV capabilities, the Congressional Defense budget process, and the recent AOC/Hudson Institute Panel discussion with the Congressional EW Working Group.John Knowles is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance.Jeff Fischer is a retired Air Force Colonel and author.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

In this episode, we hear insights from a webinar with VADM Frank "Spanky" Morley about the current state of play in today’s Department of the Navy acquisition efforts. Frank is the Principal Military Deputy, Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He discusses the challenges of acquisition efforts and how we can move forward in today's changing world order.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

At AOC Europe, EW experts gathered to discuss the most significant challenges and potential solutions for achieving multi-domain integration. In this episode, Ken Miller speaks with some of these experts to walk us through the main takeaways from the first day of the conference. Ken and the guests discuss achieving integration in coalition operations, the role of EMSO in multi-domain operations, and the need for consistent and adaptive training in EMSO. Guests include Colonel Jeff Fisher, John Knowles, Brian Hinkley, and Marc Magram.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

In this episode, join host Ken as he unravels the intricate world of the congressional defense budget process. Joined by Madison Arcangeli, Katy Nazaretova from Forza DC, and Paul Arcangeli, former Staff Director of the House Armed Services Committee, they delve into the blend of procedures and politics that shape the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the Defense Appropriations Act. Explore how Congress manages to get its work done, even amidst a cloudy timeline, and gain valuable insights into what to expect from both chambers in the coming weeks. Additionally, get an exclusive glimpse into the state of electromagnetic spectrum operations across the services in the early version of the NDAA. Tune in as we decode the intricate workings of the congressional defense budget process and shed light on the path to progress. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

Effective communication and decision-making are critical for success in multi-domain operations (MDO) in today's fast-paced world. While in Germany attending AOC Europe, Host Ken Miller took the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Thomas Withington, newsletter editor for Armada International, who shares the most important lessons we've learned in achieving multi-domain integration.Ken and Dr. Withington discuss the crucial need for network resiliency in NATO's multi-domain integration, the all-of-government approach necessary for cybersecurity and vulnerability management, and navigating the landscape of multi-domain operations and their inherent difficulties.

Congress is marking up the U.S. defense budget, and the budget's priorities could have implications for how the U.S. strategizes EMS superiority. In this episode, Ken Miller talks with John Knowles, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance, to discuss the current state of the EMSO community and the priorities of the U.S. defense budget moving forward.Ken and John discuss Congress’ thought process on the priorities for the defense budget, the importance of joint training and readiness in EW, and the challenges of coordinating and training with allies in the Asia-Pacific region.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

The US-China competitive relationship is very complex, reaching every aspect of society, the economy, and the military. In this episode, Ken Miller talks with Dean Cheng of the U.S. Institute of Peace about China’s doctrine on information dominance and its implications for global power politics.Dean Cheng is the Senior Advisor for the Institute of Peace and Senior Fellow atthe Potomac Institute. Ken and Dean discuss China’s approach to intelligence gathering, their long-term goal and end game, and the greater implications of the China-Taiwan conflict. They also discuss how China is capitalizing on the Russia-Ukraine War and approaching oil production in the Middle East. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

The topic of Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) always brings up many different perspectives and ideas for its execution and implementation. Ken Miller talks with EW Writer and Analyst Dr. Thomas Withington about the latest developments of JADC2 and its implications for modern warfare. Dr. Withington is the newsletter editor for Armada International and shares his analysis of what JADC2 is working to accomplish. Ken and Dr. Withington compare how JADC2 would unfold against a strategic competitor like China versus an acute threat like Russia. They also discuss the need for improved inter-service collaboration, the importance of data standardization and risk-management approach when implementing AI and ML technologies, and JADC2’s ability to improve decision-making on the battlefield.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

The U.S. relies highly on GPS, navigation timing systems, and satellites. And recently, GPS was labeled as a single point of failure for America by the Director of Resilience on the National Security Council. To discuss the impacts of this, Ken Miller talks with Dana Goward about the significance of GPS today and the potential risks posed by interference and spoofing.As President of the Resilient Navigation and Timing Foundation and a member of the National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Advisory Board, Dana provides invaluable insight into the world of GPS technology and its vulnerabilities. Ken and Dana also discuss how GPS jamming is unfolding in global conflicts and how the U.S. can better protect critical infrastructure from attacks on GPS signals.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

The power struggle between the U.S. and China is all too familiar. After the Chinese-operated balloon traveled from the Aleutian Islands down to the US Heartland, the defense community is speculating if this was simply another chapter in our power struggle or if China is seeking specific intelligence from the US. In this episode, Ken Miller talks with journalist Michael Fabey about the implications of the Chinese-operated balloon and how the Arctic region is emerging as a new global security frontier.Michael Fabey is an award-winning journalist and author currently researching the US Arctic region and the implications this region holds for global security. Ken and Michael discuss what information China likely received through the balloon, why the US took so long to address it, and the likelihood that a US homeland attack would occur in the Aleutian Island-Arctic region.Ken also commends the new podcast D-Fence, hosted by Dr. Alix Valenti. You can learn more about her and the podcast here. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage. Ken

We all face complex challenges to global security and can examine these issues from many different perspectives. One of these perspectives is fiction storytelling, which often comes close to fact and reflects current problems. In this episode, Ken Miller talks with author Jeffrey Fischer to discuss his military fiction books and how to use these stories to help us learn, adapt, and explore creative solutions that address global security challenges today. Jeff Fischer is a military fiction author, retired US Air Force Colonel, longtime aviator, and EW officer. Jeff discusses his journey from being in the military to becoming a writer and how this has given him insight into global security issues. Ken and Jeff discuss Live Range and Balkan Reprisal, two books exploring these themes through Dr. Kurt Nover's story. Dr. Nover is the main character who is a retired Navy Seal turned medical doctor who battles PTSD and finds himself caught in the middle of global security-altering events.You can find Jeff’s books here. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

Directed energy has progressed significantly in the past year, with warfighters field-testing multiple prototypes. But how can we ensure the technology is operationally relevant from the lab to the user? Ken Miller talks with Christopher Behre about how the directed energy community is progressing and scaling directed energy weapons that ensure mission success. Chris Behre is Principal Engineer for Directed Energy Weapons for Electronic Warfare in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. Ken and Chris discuss the achievements of directed energy innovations, the need to focus on overhauling testing facilities and infrastructure to improve capabilities, and how each military branch is using directed energy weapons. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

The production of state-of-the-art microelectronics is the most complex engineering feat that humans have been able to achieve. But the US has struggled to maintain its competitive edge in microelectronic manufacturing. In this episode, Ken and the Draper Team continue their discussion and explore solutions that address our problems in the microelectronics supply chain. The US has lost a great deal of leadership in the silicon and circuit board manufacturing industries to manufacturers in Asia. Ken and the Draper team discuss the state of the US semiconductor industry and its comparison to global competitors, the disadvantages the US chip industry has due to outsourcing manufacturing to other countries, and how the US should reinvest in increasing our scientific and technological edge in microelectronics.Jennifer Santos, David Hagerstrom, and Geremy Freifeld work for Draper, an independent nonprofit engineering innovation company.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.

Microelectronics is one of the United States’ biggest security risks, and the supply chain remains vulnerable. In this episode, Ken Miller continues the microelectronics discussion to understand how the United States should invest in its industry partners to maintain its competitive edge in the global market and maintain national security. To find this out, Ken sits down with Jennifer Santos and her team from Draper, an independent nonprofit engineering innovation company. They dive into the microelectronics supply chain, tech challenges, and opportunities; this episode is Part One of the conversation.Jennifer Santos, David Hagerstrom, and Geremy Freifeld consider domestic sourcing and manufacturing of semiconductors a national security matter. They discuss how the US competitiveness in microelectronics has evolved and the purpose the CHIPS Act serves. They also compare how the US dissects its industrial base to how China and other competitors examine theirs.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.

Entrepreneurs in defense face a difficult challenge; navigating red tape and developing innovations for bureaucracies is no easy task. In this episode, Ken Miller talks with entrepreneur and business executive Rick Lu to discover how entrepreneurs and startups can get through the door of agencies to develop niche technologies that satisfy all stakeholders.Rick Lu has over 30 years of experience in the aerospace and defense industry and has founded two successful startup companies in the electronic warfare, communications, and C5ISR industries. Rick and Ken discuss the significance of developing relationships with the right people in agencies, understanding the different motivators of various organizations, and taking calculated risks. Then, Rick updates us on how the DoD is creating more opportunities for small businesses and startups to engage with them early in the technology development process. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

Microelectronics is in the news and a key focus of current legislation. It is a part of everything we do in the military and business. But do we properly understand the microelectronics sector to make the right business, government, and policy decisions? In this episode, Ken Miller dives deeper into the topic with scholar and author Chris Miller to better understand the history of chip design and manufacturing and the impact of chips on all aspects of life. Chris teaches international history at The Fletcher School at Tufts University and recently wrote the book Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology. Together, Ken and Chris discuss the history of microelectronics, production and design challenges, the possibilities The Chips Act funding opened, dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region, and the role of government in the chip technology industry. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller, is joined by author, futurist, and former NSA official, Dr. Eric Haseltine. Ken also welcomes special co-host, Retired US Air Force Brigadier General Guy Walsh, now serving as the Executive Director of the National Security Collaboration Center at the University of Texas San Antonio. Ken, Guy, and Eric discuss how to pursue innovation in large bureaucracies that are often resistant to change and new ideas (hint: it’s about building the right relationships and using the strengths of an organization to your advantage). Eric, a respected neuroscientist, also provided a keynote address at AOC 2022 about what we can learn from nature and evolutionary biology to maintain a military advantage in electromagnetic warfare and cyber. They discuss his presentation and his two recent books: Riding the Monster: Five Ways to Innovate Inside Bureaucracies, and The Spy in Moscow Station: A Counterspy’s Hunt for a Deadly Cold War Threat. For more information on this episode and the AOC, please visit our website here.

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller sits down with special guests Eric Bamford, International AOC Board Member from the Norwegian Air Forces and Bob Andrews, AOC Director of Global Events. Ken and his guests discuss innovation and workforce development from a NATO perspective and what lessons NATO can learn from the current Russian invasion of Ukraine.For more information on this episode and the AOC, please visit our homepage.

In the episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller sits down at AOC 2022 with Mr. David Tremper, Director of Electronic Warfare in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. David is the U.S. Department of Defense’s senior leader providing guidance and advocacy for U.S. development and acquisition of EW capabilities and systems. Ken and Dave discuss a range of topics related to the concept of an EMSO Playbook, including Electromagnetic Protection, Open Architecture and Government Reference Framework, and Counter C5ISR&T capabilities focusing on offensive EW. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

In this special episode of From the Crows’ Nest recorded from AOC 2022 in Washington, DC, host Ken Miller is joined by guest John Knowles, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED), the AOC’s official publication. Ken and John talk about the concept of an Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) playbook and what it means for stakeholders across the military and industry, both in the US and abroad. They also discuss how to best apply lessons from the playbook to the dynamic global threat environment, including both Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and growing tensions in the Pacific. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

AOC President Glenn “Powder” Carlson is passing the baton on to AOC Vice President and President-Elect Brian “Hinks” Hinkley. In this transition of power, Glenn and Brian give us a state of the union on the EMS community. Host Ken Miller talks with Glenn and Brian about the lessons the US needs to learn about EMS dominance and how the AOC will continue to advance EMS operations and support future engineers. Lastly, they discuss the messages they want to take to government, industry, and military stakeholders to advance EMS operations globally. Glenn and Brian bring a wealth of experience in operations to the EW community. Glenn flew B-52s in the 80s during Soviet Union’s fall. Brian played a vital role in the Navy with the EA-6B Prowler in the early 2000s with Iraq and Afghanistan. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

We often focus most on developing offensive capability, but countermeasures are often overlooked and command & control systems are left completely vulnerable. Host Ken Miller talks with David Tilton and Dr. Nathan Hansen of the Electromagnetic Security Consortium (ESC) to find out how we can address emerging threats to electromagnetic security and provide greater protection for critical infrastructure and military systems. David and Nathan share how we can pursue new standards for electromagnetic protection, how to create more urgency around the issues, and why industry and government need an entity like the ESC to increase electromagnetic security.David Tilton is the acting executive director of the Electromagnetic Security Consortium. Dr. Nathan Hansen is CEO of the Conductive Group and Chairman of the ESC. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

With recent arms transfers and sales to Ukraine, how close is Ukraine to reaching EMS superiority in the war with Russia? Host Ken Miller talks with Jeff Fischer, retired US Air Force Colonel, about how Ukraine can achieve EMS superiority and how the allies are playing a role in it. They also dive into the implications for nations supporting Ukraine and explore what methods Russia might use to force Ukraine’s allies to stop their support as winter approaches, the significance of Russia’s recent troop movement, and the challenges the US faces in supporting Ukraine that lie far beyond Congress’ decisions. Jeff Fischer is a retired US Air Force Colonel, longtime aviator, and EW officer. He is also a military fiction author and is working on the release of his 4th novel. You can find his books here.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.

Maneuvering and winning in the new era requires an EMSO playbook. But what plays should we include in it, and why do we need it? Host Ken Miller talks with Dr. Bill Conley and John Knowles about strategies to include in our playbooks that can be rapidly implemented before the “game” starts, and how this will be addressed at AOC's 2022 annual international symposium and convention. They also dive into current affairs at the global level and in Congress, how to combine theater-level strategy with technological innovations, the current state of supply chain and microelectronics, and they discuss what can be done about the current instability across the global sphere. Dr. Bill Conley is Chief Technology Officer at Mercury Systems, and John Knowles is the Editor of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED).To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

In this episode of the From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller, welcomes back ForzaDC’s Madison Strader Arcangeli and Katy Nazaretova to discuss where Congress stands on the annual defense budget as they break for August and enter the fall with mid-term elections on the horizon. Madison and Katy share some important updates EW funding and amendments, and they offer what they expect to see of the budget process the rest of year (Hint: Don’t panic. Congress loves to wait until the last minute). To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit here. Interested in attending AOC 2022? Registration is open. We hope to see you there.

Host Ken Miller sits with Eric Colon, Director, Strategic Solutions for EW and Cyber at Corvus Consulting, LLC. Eric is a senior subject matter expert on the evolution of Army electronic warfare and cyber electromagnetic activities (CEMA). Ken and Eric discuss how the Army faces an array of complex threats from China, Russia, and other peer competitors. Now more than a decade since the inception of the Army EW structure that we know today, how is the Army addressing these challenges stemming from this new concept of an “invisible battlefield.” They also delve into the Army EW budget currently before Congress and lessons that the Army is learning from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website. Interested in attending AOC 2022? Registration is open. We hope to see you there.

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by Brigadier General Guy Walsh, USAF (Ret.). Gen. Walsh is currently the Executive Director of the National Security Collaboration Center at the University of Texas San Antonio (NSCC). They discuss the state of cyber operations today across the Department of Defense and homeland security agencies. Gen. Walsh highlights the need to strengthen public/private collaboration to more efficiently address the complex threats and challenges facing the US and our allied partners in cyberspace. They also discuss how cyber operations align with the 2022 National Defense Strategy. To learn more about the topics discussed or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit here. Interested in attending AOC 2022? Registration is open. We hope to see you there.

In today’s episode of From the Crows’ Nest, Host Ken Miller is joined by Dr. Adam Lowther to discuss the evolution of US nuclear weapons policy since the end of the Cold War and into this new age of Great Power Competition. Global security is changing rapidly, and we are required to rethink our underlying assumptions, especially as Russia invades Ukraine and China opportunistically takes advantage of current events to strengthen its strategic goals in the Pacific. Dr. Lowther is an author and editor of a new book entitled, Guide to Nuclear Deterrence in the Age of Great-Power Competition. He is currently the Director of Multidomain Operations at the Army Management Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. He was the founding director of the US Air Force’s School of Advanced Nuclear Deterrence Studies at Kirtland Air Force Base. The views expressed are his own and do not represent those of the United States government. For more information on the Association of Old Crows, please visit here.

Host Ken Miller sits down with journalist and author, Michael Fabey, to discuss his new book, Heavy Metal – The Hard Days and Nights of the Shipyard Workers who Build America’s Supercarriers. The book chronicles the building of the USS John F. Kennedy, the 2nd Ford-class supercarrier. He takes us into the lives and stories of the shipyard workers who build these “cities on the sea” and provides us insight into the revitalization of the American labor movement. Michael Fabey has reported on military and naval affairs for most of his career. In his work for National Geographic Traveler, the Economist Group, Defense News, Aviation Week, and Janes, he has collected more than two dozen reporting awards, including the prestigious Timothy White Award. His first book, Crashback, provides an account of the power struggle between the U.S. and China in the Pacific.To learn more and purchase his books, visit here. Listeners will also enjoy his recent article in Medium entitled, “Why what happened to the Russian warship Moskva won’t happen to American aircraft carriers,” here.

The congressional defense budget process will be heating up over the next few weeks. To understand what we should expect for defense funding in the fiscal year 2022, Ken Miller talks with Madison Strader Arcangeli and Katy Nazaretova of Forza DC, a federal strategies and consulting firm that helps organizations engage with Capitol Hill over defense, technology, and cyber security issues. Madison and Katy break down the National Defense Authorization Act and Defense Appropriations Bill, explaining how these bills differ from each other and what each bill covers. We also discuss the big-ticket items the defense budget committee will grapple with, how congressional staff will navigate the political dance of defense bills, and what the future holds for the responsible defense budgets. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

From Ukraine to China, NATO to Congress, a lot has happened in May. In this episode, host Ken Miller talks with JED editor, John Knowles to take a step back and discuss where these topics stand in the EW community. John and Ken particularly discuss how these current conflicts have generated a lot of new interest in EMSO, and they ask the question: how can we move EMSO past this type of episodic interest driven by conflict to become a sustained and managed practice? John and Ken also update us on the new phase of conflict in Ukraine, the role of EMSO in NATO, and what the Russia-Ukraine conflict implies for China and Taiwan. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

In this episode, host Ken Miller sits down with Col. William “Dollar” Young, Commander of the USAF 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing to discuss how the Air Force is addressing the challenges of achieving and sustaining EMS Superiority. Ken and Dollar talked at the AOC Dixie Crow Symposium 2022 in March in Warner Robins, GA.Let us know what you think of From the Crows’ Nest! The Association of Old Crows wants our podcasts to serve you, our audience, in the best ways possible. Please take just a moment to rate us or comment wherever you down our podcast.Thank you!

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller revisits Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) and sits down with Bryan Clark and Dan Patt from the Hudson Institute to discuss their new report, “One Size Fits None: Overhauling JADC2 to Prioritize the Warfighter and Exploit Adversaries Weaknesses.” Ken, Bryan and Dan talk about the need to think differently about JADC2, an ambitious and potentially costly vision that may miss the mark when it comes to its primary customer – the warfighter. As technology changes at the tactical edge, the Defense Department must change the way it conducts business and implements potentially game-changing capabilities for the joint forces.

In this episode, host Ken Miller welcomes Col. Jeffery Fischer, USAF (Ret), to discuss current developments in Ukraine and how the conflict may change how we think about fighting in the electromagnetic spectrum. Jeff is a 30-year Military Aviator and Electronic Warfare Officer with seven combat tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans. He flew both the Air Force's EC-130H Compass Call and the EA-6B Prowler while on a joint exchange with the US Navy. He also served as Diplomatic Defense Official to U.S. Embassies in Austria and Kosovo and at NATO Special Operations Headquarters in Mons, Belgium. Today he is a consultant and author of military fiction thrillers. You can learn more here.Let us know what you think of From the Crows’ Nest! The Association of Old Crows wants our podcasts to serve you, our audience, in the best ways possible. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2022 listener survey, because your opinion is very important to us. Thank you!

In this episode, host Ken Miller welcomes a group of young engineers from NAVAIR at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. In recent years, the local Association of Old Crows chapter at NAS Pax River coordinates the visit of a group of early career young engineers to the annual AOC Symposium and Convention in Washington, DC. Ken sits down with three representatives from this group - Troy Robinson, Kyle Robinson-Jordan, and Kaylee Arceo – to talk about their unique education and career journeys and the impact they can have on their field at NAVAIR. Let us know what you think of From the Crows’ Nest! The Association of Old Crows wants our podcasts to serve you, our audience, in the best ways possible. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2022 listener survey, because your opinion is very important to us. Thank you!

In this episode, host Ken Miller welcomes guest, Dr. Karen Zita Haigh. She is an author, speaker, and consultant on Cognitive Electronic Warfare and Embedded Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML). She recently co-authored a new book, Cognitive Electronic Warfare: An Artificial Intelligence Approach. They discuss how cognitive systems and artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in electronic warfare (EW) and how these new technologies force us to rethink our underlying assumptions about a conflict environment. Let us know what you think of From the Crows’ Nest! The Association of Old Crows wants our podcasts to serve you, our audience, in the best ways possible. So please take just a few minutes to complete our 2022 listener survey because your opinion is very important to us. Thank you!

In this episode, host Tala Alshaboot fills in for usual host Ken Miller to talk about a topic that has become the focal point of world news the past few days. Tala sits with JED editor, John Knowles to talk about the unfolding of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and what that means for the state of EMSO, the possible implications of the conflict on the U.S., and the likelihood of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine extending to space.