Senior DOD Leaders to Discuss the Future of Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations

The Association of Old Crows (www.crows.org) is kicking off its new AOC Discussions series by hosting a conversation with Gen John Hyten, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Senior Designated Official of the Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Cross Functional Team (EMSO CFT).

EMSO is an operational concept that integrates and coordinates electromagnetic warfare (EW) and electromagnetic spectrum management (SM) to enable the US and its allies to monitor and maneuver in the EMS, denying an adversary's ability to do the same. EMSO includes mission areas such as Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA), Cyber Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and many others. The Department of Defense (DOD) has been rebuilding its EMS Enterprise over the past several years as part of the larger National Defense Strategy focused on Great Power Competition with countries such as the People's Republic of China and Russia. Recent publications including the new EMSO doctrine (Joint Publication 3-85) and EMS Superiority Strategy are shaping how DOD will organize, identify, lead, train, develop new EMS capabilities, and educate the EMSO workforce.

As the second highest ranking military officer, General Hyten will provide his perspective on these critical areas and share where the DOD's EMSO plans are headed.

General Hyten is the first of several senior military leaders who will participate in the AOC Discussions. Our guests include:

  • Gen David Thompson, Vice Chief of Space Operations, United States Space Force, on January 13;
  • Gen Charles Brown, Chief of Staff, US Air Force, on January 27;
  • Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, on February 3;
  • Hon. Dr. Bruce Jette, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics & Technology (ASA(ALT)) & Army Acquisition Executive (AAE), on February 10; and
  • VADM Jeffrey Trussler, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare, N2/N6, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations/Director of Naval Intelligence, on February 24.

The AOC Discussion will begin with remarks from our distinguished guest. A further dialog follows this in an open forum with our military, government, industry, and academia audience.

For more information about the AOC Discussions program or to register, please visit crows.org/discussions.

About the EMSO CFT: The Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) Cross Functional Team (CFT) is a unique, Secretary of Defense-empowered cross-functional team that is focused on reforming how the Department of Defense and the Joint Force prepares for and conducts operations in the electromagnetic spectrum. This effort is essential to ensuring that the United States is prepared for operations on future battlefields against a range of actors, from non-state actors to near-peer competitors in an era of Great Power competition. https://emso.defense.gov

About AOC: The Association of Old Crows (AOC) is an organization for individuals who have common interests in Electronic Warfare (EW), Electromagnetic Spectrum Management Operations (EMSO), Cyber Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA), Information Operations (IO), and other information related capabilities. The Association of Old Crows provides a means of connecting members and organizations nationally and internationally across government, defense, industry, and academia to promote the exchange of ideas and information and provides a platform to recognize advances and contributions in these fields. www.crows.org