From the Crows' Nest

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) wants to make our podcast the best it can be. To help us succeed, we'd like to hear your thoughts. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2025 listener survey because your opinion is very important to us. In this special episode of From the Crows’ Nest, we’re coming to you from the heart of Rome, Italy, where AOC Europe 2025 is in full swing! Host Ken Miller sits down with three familiar voices to capture the pulse of the show floor and dive into the evolving landscape of Electromagnetic Operations (EMO). This year’s theme, “EMO in Transition – Learning from the Russo-Ukrainian War,” sparks timely conversations and fresh perspectives from the field.Ken is joined by Erik Bamford, Branch Chief EW for the Norwegian Armed Forces and AOC Board Member; Dr. Tom Withington, renowned defense journalist; and Duncan McCrory of the Freeman Air & Space Institute at King’s College London. Together, they explore what’s shaping the conversation at AOC Europe and what it means for the future of EMO, EW, and global security.For more real-time updates and behind-the-scenes insights from AOC Europe 2025, follow the AOC LinkedIn page. To learn more about today’s topics or stay up to speed on all things EMSO, visit our homepage.Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Email host Ken Miller at host@fromthecrowsnest.org—we’d love to hear from you!

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) wants to make our podcast the best it can be. To help us succeed, we'd like to hear your thoughts. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2025 listener survey because your opinion is very important to us. In this exclusive episode of "From the Crows' Nest," host Ken Miller is joined once again by John Knowles, Editor-in-Chief of AOC’s Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED). They discuss service EW budgets and the technology trends that may influence the Fiscal Year 2026 defense budget that is expected to be released by mid-May. Specifically, they discuss key investments, including the Navy’s Next Generation Jammer, SEWIP ship defense, Army rotary-wing aircraft self-protection, and the success of the US Air Force’s 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing. They also discussed European EW in anticipation of AOC Europe taking place in Rome, Italy, May 6-8. To join the discussion at AOC Europe, be sure to follow the Association of Old Crows on LinkedIn. FTCN will be there and post interviews with guest speakers and exhibitors.Also, don’t miss Season 1 of our new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) podcast powered by L3 Harris. All six episodes are now available. To listen and learn more about the CTO Series, visit here.These special episodes are released twice a month. To access them and participate in live recordings as part of the virtual audience, become an AOC member at www.crows.org or subscribe for $2.99/month at www.ftcnpodcast.org. Join us today. You can reach the host directly to share your thoughts or questions you want FTCN to cover in future episodes at host@fromthecrowsnest.org.

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) wants to make our podcast the best it can be. To help us succeed, we'd like to hear your thoughts. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2025 listener survey because your opinion is very important to us. In this episode of "From the Crows’ Nest," host Ken Miller welcomes Dr. Raphael Licursi, antenna and radar researcher, electronic warfare consultant, AOC Europe Pre-event Workshop presenter and author of Meta Surface Driven Electronic Warfare (Wiley & IEEE Press). Dr. Licursi shares insights into his groundbreaking research on metasurfaces, explaining how this emerging technology is revolutionizing electronic warfare. The discussion explores the application of metasurfaces in defense systems, the integration of artificial intelligence, the impact on development cycles and supply chains, and the evolving demands of modern, distributed EMSO environments.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.We also invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at host@fromthecrowsnest.org.

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) wants to make our podcast the best it can be. To help us succeed, we'd like to hear your thoughts. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2025 listener survey because your opinion is very important to us. In this exclusive episode of "From the Crows' Nest," available only to AOC members and subscribers, host Ken Miller welcomes journalist and expert, Dr. Thomas Withington. They cover a range of topics, including a new EW coalition forming in Europe to respond to EMS challenges stemming from the Russo-Ukrainian War. Ken and Tom also talk messaging leading up to AOC Europe in Rome, May 6-8.Also, don’t miss Season 1 of our new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) podcast powered by L3 Harris. All six episodes are now available. To listen and learn more about the CTO Series, visit here.These special episodes are released twice a month. To access them and participate in live recordings as part of the virtual audience, become an AOC member at www.crows.org or subscribe for $2.99/month at www.ftcnpodcast.org. Join today and connect directly with the host at host@fromthecrowsnest.org.Don’t forget! You can reach the host directly to share your thoughts or comments at host@fromthecrowsnest.org

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) wants to make our podcast the best it can be. To help us succeed, we'd like to hear your thoughts. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2025 listener survey because your opinion is very important to us. In this episode of "From the Crows' Nest," host Ken Miller is joined by Phyllis Wilson, President of the Military Women's Memorial. They explore Phyllis's remarkable 37-year military career, delve into the history and significance of the Military Women's Memorial, and discuss the often-overlooked contributions of women in military history. Phyllis shares insights on the importance of preserving and telling these stories for future generations, underscoring the vital role women have played in defense and support operations throughout U.S. history.Don’t miss Season 1 of our new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) podcast powered by L3 Harris. All six episodes are now available. To listen and learn more about the CTO Series, visit here.Join us today. You can reach the host directly to share your thoughts or questions you want FTCN to cover in future episodes at host@fromthecrowsnest.org.

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) wants to make our podcast the best it can be. To help us succeed, we'd like to hear your thoughts. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2025 listener survey because your opinion is very important to us. In this very special—and slightly chaotic—April Fools’ Day edition of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller discovers just how hard it is to book a guest when everyone thinks it’s a prank. With no high-level military officials or defense tech experts willing to risk being punk’d, Ken turns to a trusted voice close to home: Voxtopica producer Laura Krebs joins him in the studio to answer listener emails and take a few surprisingly tough questions from our very real (and definitely not hired-actors) studio audience.Ken also offers his thoughts on some serious topics—including the growing role of AI and Cognitive EW, much-needed defense budget reform, the latest EMSO manual from the Joint Staff, and today’s complex global security environment.Oh, and there may be a surprise announcement about the Pentagon's new "Invisible Aircraft Program"... but we'll let you decide if that one's real.Don’t miss Season 1 of our new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) podcast powered by L3 Harris. All six episodes are now available. To listen and learn more about the CTO Series, visit here.These special episodes are released twice a month. To access them and participate in live recordings as part of the virtual audience, become an AOC member at www.crows.org or subscribe for $2.99/month at www.ftcnpodcast.org. Join us today. You can reach the host directly to share your thoughts or questions you want FTCN to cover in future episodes at host@fromthecrowsnest.org.

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) wants to make our podcast the best it can be. To help us succeed, we'd like to hear your thoughts. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2025 listener survey because your opinion is very important to us. Each year, the AOC Educational Foundation honors five exceptional young professionals through its Future 5 program, recognizing individuals who represent the future of the EW field through innovation, leadership, and impact. In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller speaks with four of the 2024 Future 5 award recipients: Imani Davis, Matthew Copeland, Paul Kennedy, and Michael Gutierrez.These emerging leaders are tackling key challenges in EW, from integrating cyber tools into engineering education to strengthening collaboration between R&D teams and those deploying new technologies. Despite their diverse roles, the panelists share a common emphasis on the importance of mentorship and community in shaping successful careers in electronic warfare.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) wants to make our podcast the best it can be. To help us succeed, we'd like to hear your thoughts. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2025 listener survey because your opinion is very important to us. This episode is free to listen to during the month of March in recognition of Women’s History Month.In this exclusive episode of "From the Crows' Nest," host Ken Miller welcomes long-time colleague, EMSO advocate, and former AOC president, Lisa Frugé-Cirilli. Lisa is the US Department of Defense (DoD) Customer Requirements and Advocacy at BAE Systems, Inc.  Ken and Lisa discuss how the critical role that sustainment and life cycle management plays in advancing EMSO, and how Robins Air Force Base in Middle Georgia is having a significant impact on Georgia’s economy and is a leading center of gravity, not just for the US Air Force, but also the joint forces. Lisa shares the importance of collaboration in successful mission execution. In honor of Women’s History Month, Lisa also discusses the importance of work ethic and mentorship in professional development.Also, don’t miss Season 1 of our new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) podcast powered by L3 Harris. All six episodes are now available. To listen and learn more about the CTO Series, visit here.These special episodes are released twice a month. To access them and participate in live recordings as part of the virtual audience, become an AOC member at www.crows.org or subscribe for $2.99/month at www.ftcnpodcast.org. Join us today. You can reach the host directly to share your thoughts or questions you want FTCN to cover in future episodes at host@fromthecrowsnest.org.

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) wants to make our podcast the best it can be. To help us succeed, we'd like to hear your thoughts. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2025 listener survey because your opinion is very important to us. In honor of Women’s History Month, host Ken Miller and guest co-host Hollann Schwartz are joined in this episode of From the Crows’ Nest by E&M Operations Manager and AOC member Christelle Ward. Christelle’s new initiative, Empowering Women in Electronic Warfare, aims to build a group of EW women that support, uplift and empower women entering this male-dominated industry.Christelle has played many roles in armed service: a service member for the Navy, an instructor or contractor for the Army and a spouse of a member of the Marine Corps. Within the EW world, Christelle says she wants her new initiative to serve as a way for women to connect, share experiences in both the academia and industry side of the field.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) wants to make our podcast the best it can be. To help us succeed, we'd like to hear your thoughts. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2025 listener survey because your opinion is very important to us. This episode is free to listen to during the month of March in recognition of Women’s History Month.In this exclusive episode of "From the Crows' Nest," host Ken Miller welcomes friend and subject matter expert, Laurie Buckhout. Laurie is retired US Army Colonel, small business woman, EW subject matter expert.  She also was the first chief of the US Army EW Division and is a small businesswoman. Ken and Laurie discuss the challenging global security environment and the need to cultivate leadership and invest in and field advanced non-kinetic capabiliites, including Electromagnetic Warfare and Cyber.  Laurie was a congressional candidate from North Carolina in the November 2024 US general election. Laurie and Ken share their thoughts on the early months of the Trump administration. They also discuss the contributions of women in EW and the importance of providing mentorship and guidance early in a military career.  Also, don’t miss Season 1 of our new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) podcast powered by L3 Harris. All six episodes are now available. To listen and learn more about the CTO Series, visit here.These special episodes are released twice a month. To access them and participate in live recordings as part of the virtual audience, become an AOC member at www.crows.org or subscribe for $2.99/month at www.ftcnpodcast.org. Join us today. You can reach the host directly to share your thoughts or questions you want FTCN to cover in future episodes at host@fromthecrowsnest.org.

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) wants to make our podcast the best it can be. To help us succeed, we'd like to hear your thoughts. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2025 listener survey because your opinion is very important to us. Artificial intelligence burst into mainstream awareness less than three years ago with tools like ChatGPT and image generators such as Google Gemini. However, AI — particularly machine learning — has been shaping electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO) for decades.In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller dives into the cutting edge of AI in next-generation EMSO systems with Rob Hyland, Principal Scientist and Director of Program Transition at Charles River Analytics.Rob discusses how “hybrid” AI is revolutionizing EMSO, enabling systems to learn entire segments of the electromagnetic spectrum, accelerate upgrades, and enhance adaptability. He also highlights the challenges of applying AI to modern threats, stressing the urgent need for specialized talent to model, train, and integrate AI within the defense sector.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) wants to make our podcast the best it can be. To help us succeed, we'd like to hear your thoughts. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2025 listener survey because your opinion is very important to us. In this exclusive episode of "From the Crows' Nest," available only to AOC members and subscribers, host Ken Miller welcomes back John Knowles, Editor-in-Chief AOC’s Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED). Ken and John revisit EMSO reforms from recent defense budgets and discuss the level of progress (or in the case of EMSO, lack of progress). They also look to the FY 2026 defense budget that is on the horizon to discuss challenges and opportunities for funding EMSO priorities considering pressures to cut defense spending and bring efficiencies to the Department of Defense. Also, don’t miss Season 1 of our new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) podcast powered by L3 Harris. All six episodes are now available. To listen and learn more about the CTO Series, visit here.These special episodes are released twice a month. To access them and participate in live recordings as part of the virtual audience, become an AOC member at www.crows.org or subscribe for $2.99/month at www.ftcnpodcast.org. Join us today. You can reach the host directly to share your thoughts or questions you want FTCN to cover in future episodes at host@fromthecrowsnest.org.

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) wants to make our podcast the best it can be. To help us succeed, we'd like to hear your thoughts. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2025 listener survey because your opinion is very important to us. In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller sits down with Bryan Clark, senior fellow and director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at the Hudson Institute. Bryan is the author of the newly released report, Winning the Fight for Sensing and Sensemaking: Fielding Cyber and Electronic Warfare Capabilities at Scale. The report tackles a critical challenge for the American defense industry: How can the DOD strengthen its supply chain and drive private-sector innovation in the non-kinetic defense space? Bryan outlines a six-step model designed to accelerate innovation in electronic warfare and EMSO, mirroring the success seen in kinetic programs. Tune in as he breaks down the key takeaways and what they mean for the future of defense technology.

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) wants to make our podcast the best it can be. To help us succeed, we'd like to hear your thoughts. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2025 listener survey because your opinion is very important to us. In this exclusive episode of "From the Crows' Nest," available only to AOC members and subscribers, host Ken Miller is joined by Erik Bamford to discuss International EW headlines. Erik is Branch Chief for Electromagnetic Warfare with the Norwegian Armed Forces and a member of the AOC Board of Directors. Ken and Erik discuss a new Spectrum law that took effect in Norway that is a beacon for improving coalition EW training. They also discuss the evolution of joint EW training and coordination in NATO and some leading discussion topics that will be covered during AOC Europe in Rome in May 2025. Also, don’t miss Season 1 of our new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) podcast powered by L3 Harris. All six episodes are now available. To listen and learn more about the CTO Series, visit here.These special episodes are released twice a month. To access them and participate in live recordings as part of the virtual audience, become an AOC member at www.crows.org or subscribe for $2.99/month at www.ftcnpodcast.org. Join us today. You can reach the host directly to share your thoughts or questions you want FTCN to cover in future episodes at host@fromthecrowsnest.org.

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) wants to make our podcast the best it can be. To help us succeed, we'd like to hear your thoughts. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2025 listener survey because your opinion is very important to us. In this episode of From the Crow's Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by a panel of special guests today: Scott “Sherm” Oliver, former chief of staff of the EMSO cross-functional team; Paul Arcangeli, senior advisor at the public relations firm Invariant and a former professional staff and staff director of the House Armed Services Committee in the U. S. Congress; and Jeffrey Fischer, author, journalist and new board member to the Association of Old Crows. The panel discussion was recorded in front of a live audience in December at AOC 2024.Ken and the panel have an open conversation about the Department of Defense’s EMS strategy and discuss fundamental questions facing folks in the EMSO and defense space: is the strategy succeeding in changing the way the DoD fights in the electromagnetic spectrum? Do elements of this plan need to be revisited? What are the prospects of reforming acquisition processes in a new Congress?Also, don’t miss Season 1 of our new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) podcast powered by L3 Harris. All six episodes are now available. To listen and learn more about the CTO Series, visit here.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) wants to make our podcast the best it can be. To help us succeed, we'd like to hear your thoughts. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2025 listener survey because your opinion is very important to us. In this special member-exclusive episode, host Ken Miller is joined by friend and colleague Col. Jeffrey Fischer, USAF (Ret.) to discuss the inauguration of President Donald Trump, what to expect from his new Cabinet, especially as it pertains to the future of NATO and the outlook for the Ukraine-Russia War. They also discuss the worsening challenge of EMS battle management and the role of EW in counter-counter-drone capabilities. Also, don’t miss Season 1 of our new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) podcast powered by L3 Harris. All six episodes are now available. To listen and learn more about the CTO Series, visit here.These special episodes are released twice a month. To access them and participate in live recordings as part of the virtual audience, become an AOC member at www.crows.org or subscribe for $2.99/month at www.ftcnpodcast.org. Join us today. You can reach the host directly to share your thoughts or questions you want FTCN to cover in future episodes at host@fromthecrowsnest.org.

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) wants to make our podcast the best it can be. To help us succeed, we'd like to hear your thoughts. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2025 listener survey because your opinion is very important to us. In this exclusive episode of "From the Crows' Nest," available only to AOC members and subscribers, host Ken Miller answers audience questions and listener mail. Ken discusses everything from President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, to the legislative uncertainty of the new Congress, the need for greater awareness of Space EW, and what lessons should we be learning from the War in Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific region. Also, don’t miss Season 1 of our new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) podcast powered by L3 Harris. All six episodes are now available. To listen and learn more about the CTO Series, visit here.These special episodes are released twice a month. To access them and participate in live recordings as part of the virtual audience, become an AOC member at www.crows.org or subscribe for $2.99/month at www.ftcnpodcast.org. Join us today. You can reach the host directly to share your thoughts or questions you want FTCN to cover in future episodes at host@fromthecrowsnest.org.

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) wants to make our podcast the best it can be. To help us succeed, we'd like to hear your thoughts. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2025 listener survey because your opinion is very important to us. In this episode of From the Crow’s Nest, host Ken Miller dives into the world of cutting-edge electronic warfare (EW) with Captain David Rueter, Program Manager for Airborne Electronic Attack Systems at the U.S. Navy’s PMA-234. From game-changing advancements to the challenges that keep him awake at night, Capt. Rueter offers an insider’s look into the Navy’s most critical EW initiatives.Capt. Rueter walks Ken through key programs shaping the future of airborne electronic attack, including the Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) mid- and low-band systems, the ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System, and the Intrepid Tiger ALQ-231. While the Navy has been at the forefront of countering emerging threats, Capt. Rueter reveals a lingering concern: the readiness of the legacy ALQ-99 system, which dates back to the 1970s and remains a critical yet challenging component of the Navy's EW arsenal.Despite these hurdles, Capt. Rueter highlights significant progress, noting the rollout of the NGJ mid-band system in 2023 and L3Harris’s recent contract to advance the NGJ low-band system. As threats evolve, he emphasizes how vital these advancements are for maintaining the Navy’s edge in the electromagnetic battlespace.Tune in for an enlightening discussion that pulls back the curtain on the Navy’s relentless push to stay ahead in the ever-shifting realm of EW.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) wants to make our podcast the best it can be. To help us succeed, we'd like to hear your thoughts. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2025 listener survey because your opinion is very important to us. In this special episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by returning guest Dustan Hellwig, founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Chesapeake Technology International, to discuss what we know and need to know about the increased sightings of drones in NJ and along the East Coast of the U.S.  Ken and Dustan try to dispel conspiracies but recognize that what is happening points to a trend in both the commercial and military use of drones that will continue to evolve rapidly and this trend exposes cracks in our policies and procedures to address concerns in a timely manner. This is the last episode of 2024 (unless we decide it’s not!).  We’ll return to our regular episodes in early January 2025. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) wants to make our podcast the best it can be. To help us succeed, we'd like to hear your thoughts. Please take just a few minutes to complete our 2025 listener survey because your opinion is very important to us. In part two of this special series, From the Crows’ Nest host Ken Miller brings back researchers Jeff Kojac and Olivia Letts from George Mason University Costello School of Business and its Baroni Center for Government Contracting to discuss the findings from six case studies they’ve conducted and what they ultimately recommend to reform the DOD’s PPBE Process.The pair found that their case studies ultimately confirmed commonly held criticisms of the process: that there were delays when funding rapid development and deployment of new capabilities was needed. They ultimately issued nine different recommendations to reform the process including reducing program elements to make a more streamlined and consolidated budget,  as well as amending the continuing resolution prohibition on new starts to allow program offices dealing with new requirements or new technological developments to adapt to them without having to wait until January or February of the following year. While the pair say the future of DOD PPBE reform is uncertain, they say that the final report has executive-level support — a note of optimism that some of these recommendations may be implemented.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.