From the Crows' Nest (Association of Old Crows )

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 podcast episode covers the Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) Consortium briefing from AOC2021. The briefing provides an introduction to and updates of the goals of the consortium’s progress and recent milestones and what’s next now that 1.0 has been released. The event also included brief presentations on SOSA activities by a panel of representative member companies and subject matter experts from industry and the defense community. 

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 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.

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 engaging episode of From the Crow’s Nest, host Ken Miller sits down with Erik Bamford, Branch Chief EW, Norwegian Armed Forces, and Member, AOC Board of Directors for International Region One., for an insightful conversation.

Bamford delves into the growing friction surrounding standards—highlighting the tension between NATO’s push for uniformity and the private sector's competitive drive for proprietary innovation. This clash, he explains, has far-reaching implications, even in high-stakes conflicts like the war in Ukraine. According to Bamford, the challenge of achieving full alignment is a major concern, one that’s "keeping political leadership awake at night."

The discussion also touches on NATO’s evolving role in electronic warfare (EW) during the conflict in Ukraine, as well as critical projects underway within NATO's EW subgroups. Among the highlights: the shift away from the aging AWACS platform and the strategic alignment of NATO’s Air Force Armament Group (NAFAG) annual meeting with AOC’s International Symposium in December.

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 AOC member/subscriber-only episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined once again by John Knowles, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED) and Matt Thompson, AOC’s Senior Analyst to discuss current events and news on electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO). Together, they share their insights on recent developments in cognitive EW and the role of artificial intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), investment trends on unmanned aerial systems (UASs) and air-launched effects (ALE), and the need to address gaps in EW training and readiness.

These AOC member/subscribers-only episodes of FTCN will be released twice a month. Members and subscribers will also be able to participate in the live recording of the episodes. These episodes will be available for a limited time to everyone who already enjoys our podcast. Become a member today so you won’t miss one of these essential episodes at crows.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. 

Host Tala Alshaboot sits with Jesse "Judge" Bourque, editor of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED). They give listeners a recap of the second day of the 58th International Symposium and Annual Convention. Tala and John give highlights from keynote address by Dr. Kelly Fletcher, who is currently performing the duties of the CIO, the breakout session on implementing the EMS Superiority Strategy I-Plan. They also recap breakout sessions, and the picture we are beginning to see through two days here at AOC 2021. 

To learn more about the 58th International Symposium and Annual Convention and today’s topics and to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.

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, we take you inside AOC's Cyber Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) Conference that took place in-person, May 25-26, 2021. The theme of the conference was a “Focus on the Future – Multi-Domain Operations 2035 and Beyond,” and featured senior leaders throughout the Army discussing how to fight and win decisively against any adversary in a joint, multi-domain, high-intensity conflict through employment of CEMA capabilities.

Host Ken Miller sits down with several keynote speakers and industry partners in attendance at this two-day event, including the following:

[07:13] LTG Stephen Fogarty, Commanding General, Army Cyber Command  - 

[23:10] BG Robert Collins, PEO C3T

[43:26] COL Chad Bates, PhD, Special Assistant to the Commanding General, Army Cyber Command 

[58:36] Mr. David Tremper, SES, Director of EW, OSD, OUSD (A&S)

[1:11:41] COL Kevin Finch, Project Manager, Electronic Warfare and Cyber, PEO IEWS

To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.

The AOC thanks Pentek for sponsoring this episode.

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. 

The US military must chart a new course to project, achieve, and sustain electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) superiority against peer competitors. What technology and operational concepts must the Department of Defense (DOD) adopt to address these challenges and persistent gaps in US electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO)?  In this episode, we speak with Bryan Clark, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at the Hudson Institute. Bryan is the lead author of a new report, “The Invisible Battlefield: A Technology Strategy for US Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority.”

Ken and Bryan discuss the need to invest in game-changing technologies, such as passive and multi-static sensing, networked electronic attack, and multi-function capabilities. They also address improved training through the use of live, virtual and constructive environments and the opportunities for open system architecture.

You can download and read the Hudson Institute's full report 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. 

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.

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. 

What is an electromagnetic event and how could it wreak havoc on military forces and critical civilian infrastructure? Are we prepared to protect ourselves from such an event? Unfortunately, no. In this area,we are far behind the threat. There is exciting new research underway and progress is being made to develop a standard of protection thanks in large part to the efforts from organizations, such as the Electromagnetic Security Consortium (ESC). In this episode of From the Crow’s Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by David Tilton and Dr. Nathan Hansen of the ESC to discuss their work over the past several years to protect vulnerable systems, buildings, and services from this type of event.

The panel discusses the development of a demonstration facility to show different construction methodologies for protecting buildings from EMP attacks and to show how effective certain solutions are overall. The group also talks about the challenges of interacting with the commercial and private sectors, as well as the consortium’s efforts to launch a workforce development and certification programs to recruit the next generation of EW professionals.

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 the first episode of From the Crows’ Nest subscriber series, host Ken Miller sits down with John Knowles, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED), and AOC’s Senior Analyst Matt Thompson.

They discuss a range of current events topics including the Compass Call and the arrival of the new EA-37B aircraft, the U.S. defense budget, and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

These AOC member/subscribers-only episodes of FTCN will be released twice a month. Members and Subscribers will also be able to participate in the live recording of the episodes. For a limited time, these episodes will be available to everyone who already enjoys our podcast. Become a member today so you won’t miss one of these essential episodes. 

Learn more here.

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. 

Open systems architecture is changing the defense electronics market and business dynamics of the Department of Defense (DOD). Advancing software and hardware standards across DOD and military services is leading us to rethink the bridge that connects research & engineering (R&E) to acquisition. But challenges exist, including intellectual property rights, conformance, and architectural constraints early in development.  In this episode, Host Ken Miller is joined by Mr. Rodger Hosking from Mercury Systems and leader in the Sensor Open System Architecture (SOSA) Consortium; and Mr. Patrick Collier from the Aspen Consulting Group. We discuss these issues and challenges as DOD is set to release new standards later this summer. 

To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.

The AOC thanks Northrop Grumman Corporation for sponsoring this episode.

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, 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.     

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 returning guest Dustan Hellwig to tackle a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of electronic warfare: how the community—AOC members and stakeholders—discuss EMSO needs and effects within a unified mathematical context to consolidate the various and potentially conflicting uses of the spectrum.

Ken and Dustan explore the importance of aligning terminology with a commander’s intent, with Dustan highlighting the role of machine learning technologies in translating this intent into mission-essential tasks, thereby enhancing understanding at every level of operation. But Dustan doesn’t just stick to theory; he also shares practical advice on how the different stakeholders in the EMSO space can find common ground—at least in terms of terminology—to make communication within the community more seamless.

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 episode of From the Crow’s Nest, host Ken Miller chats with Doug Thornton, the technical director of Battelle's National Security Business Unit, to learn about the role software-defined radios do – and could – play into the future of electronic warfare.

Doug tells Ken that software-defined radios offer the promise of offering more flexibility and experimentation for warfighters – but limitations from increased complexity and dynamic range to security concerns, can affect performance and even make it more difficult to meet compliance. Doug says standards are being developed for the technology now, and these radios are changing the landscape for how the U.S. conducts operations around the world.

If you want to share your comments about the episode or the podcast in general, you can now email the host, Ken Miller, at HOST@fromthecrowsnest.org. 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 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!

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 author, journalist, and expert Jeffrey Fischer. They discuss what the US elections mean for global defense and security. What’s in store for US partners and allies, including NATO, as the in-coming Trump Administration re-evaluates US leadership and intervention abroad. They also discuss recent developments in the War in Ukraine and how drones and commercial off-the-self technology is changing the way we fight in the EMS. 

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. 

Host Ken Miller sits with Colonel William “Dollar” E. Young, Jr, the Commander of the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing, Eglin AFB, Florida, at the 58th International Symposium and Annual Convention. Ken and Col. Young discuss the theme of this week, All Domain Operations, “how do we win the fight for the EMS,” and what “winning” looks like for the Spectrum Warfare Wing. They also build on Col. Young’s presentation and the main message he wants to deliver to the audience and what he wants to hear over the remainder of the convention. 

To learn more about the 58th International Symposium and Annual Convention and today’s topics and to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Mercury Systems. 

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. 

The Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) Cross-Functional Team (CFT) established by Congress a few years ago has been focusing on developing a new EMS Superiority Strategy and a comprehensive implementation plan that is now going into effect across the Department of Defense (DOD). Podcast host Ken Miller sits with Brig. Gen. Darrin Leleux, Deputy Director of the EMSO CFT and Deputy Director for Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations and Space Requirements, Joint Staff (J8). Ken and Brig. Gen. Leleux address gaps in electromagnetic warfare and EMSO capabilities and where we are in the implementation of the strategy. They also share how the entire EMSO community across DOD, the military services, Congress, industry, and academia must work together to ensure the necessary oversight and progress by 2030 to achieve and sustain a military advantage in the EMS.

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. 

JADC2 is a vision to connect all military sensors into a single network. It is designed to give a situational awareness picture across every area of responsibility  for Combatant Command leaders and senior Department of Defense officials. But the question is, how will these various systems and activities across all military services come together in a compatible network? In this episode, we speak with Mr. Steven “Tango” Tourangeau, Dean of the new Reginald Victor Jones Institute on Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations.

Ken and Tango discuss the challenge of fusing sensor data across weapons systems, the role of electromagnetic spectrum operations as the “backbone” of the JADC2 mission, and how artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) are changing discussion on the line between intelligence and operations. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

AOC thanks Northrop Grumman Corporation for sponsoring this episode.

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 of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED). Together, they explore a wide array of topics, such as the crucial lessons emerging from Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific region. They also delve into defense industry trends observed at IMS Microwave Week in June and discuss significant electronic warfare provisions included in the House-passed FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.

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, 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.

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, podcast host Ken Miller sits with Dr. William Conley, Chief Technology Officer at Mercury Systems. Microelectronics hold significant importance to EMSO as it represents the technology backbone of spectrum operations. Ken and Dr. Conley discuss the dynamic ecosystem of the world we live in and the recent changes in the microelectronics supply chain. There is a significant dependency on microelectronics technology and DOD requirement for state-of-the-art microelectronics for the future fight. Dr. Conley explains that the point for DOD is not to make any significant sweeping changes but instead, bring in specialists and system architects that can go through and implement designs in less time. Part of balancing approaches includes investing in innovation, subsidies, and other direct funding to support the ecosystem. Private sector collaborations and policy implementations have a direct impact on the supply chain as well. Lastly, Ken and Dr. Conley discuss the nuances that can lead to ineffective solutions and security vulnerabilities and the implementation of “zero trust” approach to enable the acquisition of assured electronics from untrusted components.

To learn more about today’s topics or stay updated on the EMSO community, visit our website.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Northrop Grumman Corporation.

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 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 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 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.

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. 

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 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 the first of a special two-part series, From the Crows’ Nest host Ken Miller speaks with researchers Jeff Kojac and Olivia Letts from George Mason University Costello School of Business and its Baroni Center for Government Contracting to learn more about the Department of Defense’s PPBE (Planning, Programming, Budgeting, Execution) process and why their research finds the department’s decision-making processes is in need of major change.

The PPBE process is a complicated process dating back decades.  Kojac and Letts walk through their research that was part of the work and final report of the Commission on PPBE Reform completed earlier this year. Letts says that PPPE affects everyone in the defense industrial base and many DOD entities have a very large stake in it. Yet few are experts on the process that Letts and Kojac describe as one that creates a moat for people actually understanding it and being able to function with it.

Adding to this complexity is that Kojac says the PPBE process is highly dependent on Congress… and that understanding a highly divided Congress is key to understanding what is being debated in the PPBE.

Part II of this interview will be released on December 18.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. 

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 

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. 

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 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 AOC member/subscriber-only episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by Madison Arcangeli and Katy Nazaretova from Forza DC to discuss the current state of Capitol Hill and the annual appropriations process. They cover a range of topics including keeping the government funded through FY 2024, the beginning of the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, the Ukraine War Supplemental, and the President’s upcoming State of the Union Address. It’s also Super Tuesday, so Ken, Madison and Katy discuss the impact of this week’s primary elections on the general election in November for Congress and the President. To learn more about Forza DC, please visit here.

These AOC member/subscribers-only episodes of FTCN will be released twice a month. Members and subscribers will also be able to participate in the live recording of the episodes. These episodes will be available for a limited time to everyone who already enjoys our podcast. Become a member today so you won’t miss one of these essential episodes at crows.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. 

Modern warfare is becoming increasingly dependent on the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS). All command and control, communications, ISR, precision guided munitions, GPS, and low observable (stealth) technology depend on the ability to control the EMS. Our competitors have recognized this and are manning, training, and equipping themselves to deny us freedom to act in the EMS. 

Often discounted simply as lightning bolts on PowerPoint, the EMS has long been neglected. In this special episode, we present to you coverage from the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum: Drink & Think on Moving Beyond Lighting Bolts On PowerPoint, an event hosted at AOC headquarters, in Alexandria, Virginia. We hear from Ken Miller, Director of Advocacy & Outreach at the Association of Old Crows, Scott Oliver, Director of the Board of Advisors at the RVJ Institute, Pat Flood, Senior National Security Policy Advisor at the U.S. House of Representatives. The event was moderated by Courtney Barno, Code Director of DC Agora. 

Ken and guests discuss why a whole nation approach is necessary to ensure freedom of action within the EMS at the time and place of our choosing. Necessary efforts range from renewed government policies and reinvigorated academic research, to leap-ahead industrial technologies. The EMS represents a giant opportunity space for warfighters, entrepreneurs, investors, technologists, researchers, and policymakers alike. 

To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Pacific Defense. 

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. 

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.

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. 

Host & Moderator Ken Miller sits with Ms. Michele Flournoy, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of WestExec Advisors, and a Co-Founder, former Chief Executive Officer, and now Chair of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) at the 58th International Symposium and Annual Convention. In this special segment, Ken focuses on asking Ms. Flournoy the most critical questions on the idea of transformation to sustain military advantage in the future. Ken and Ms. Flournoy start off the conversation on where we are in terms of global security and the current shift to “Great Power Competition,” and why it is an important vision to guide transformation efforts in the DoD today. Ken and Ms. Flournoy explore, transformation across Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and Education, Personnel, Facilities and Policy (DOTMLPF-P), the significant role of technology, and the role of Congress in the transformation of “Great Power Competition.”

To learn more about the 58th International Symposium and Annual Convention and today’s topics and to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Samtec. 

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. 

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.

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 AOC member/subscriber-only episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined from Toulouse, France, by Dr. Tom Withington and San Antonio, TX, by Matt Thompson, AOC’s Senior Analyst to discuss current events and news on electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO) from literally around the world. Dr. Withington is the Editor, defense commentator, journalist, and military historian with Armada. Ken, Tom, and Matt discuss the increasing frequency of GPS jamming by Russia in Eastern Europe, the latest in the Russia-Ukraine War, and how UAVs are changing the way we conduct EMSO.  

These AOC member/subscribers-only episodes of FTCN will be released twice a month. Members and subscribers will also be able to participate in the live recording of the episodes. These episodes will be available for a limited time to everyone who already enjoys our podcast. Become a member today so you won’t miss one of these essential episodes at crows.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 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. 

Host Ken Miller sits with Ms. Vernita D. Harris, SES, Director, Spectrum Policy and Programs, Department of Defense Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the 58th International Symposium and Annual Convention. Ken and Mrs. Harris talk about her role as CIO as it pertains to the implementation of the EMS Superiority Strategy and what her overall message to the audience that attended her session was. They also discuss some of the efforts underway that Ms. Harris is most excited about that the EMSO community needs to hear. 

To learn more about the 58th International Symposium and Annual Convention and today’s topics and to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Samtec. 

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. 

Host Ken Miller sits with Brig. Gen. AnnMarie K. Anthony, Deputy Director, Operations for Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations & Mobilization Assistant, Director of Operations, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) at the 58th International Symposium and Annual Convention. Ken discusses Gen. Anthony’s operational perspective on EMSO from her breakout session on the EMSSS I-Plan and her main message to the audience today. They also expand on her vision for USSTRATCOM, the Joint Electromagnetic Warfare Center and Joint Electromagnetic Preparedness for Advanced Combat. 

To learn more about the 58th International Symposium and Annual Convention and today’s topics and to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Samtec. 

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 Dr. Christopher Lloyd, Senior Technologist for Directed Energy with The Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division Virginia.

The pair check in on several recent developments in the promising field of directed energy weapons (DEWs). Dr. Lloyd says that senior leaders with the Navy have realized that directed energy weapons can play an integral part in multi-domain operations. New prototypes and stronger ties between the Office of the Secretary of Defense, academia and industry partners make the capability one with few limits on its utility. Dr. Lloyd details how two directed energy weapon programs — the Optical Dazzling Interdictor (ODIN), a low-power laser system, and the the High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) system —  have been significant wins for the Navy in allowing its sailors to become more proficient with this new technology.

Interested in taking a deeper dive into EW technology? Visit here to access the new 6-episode FTCN Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Series. Season 1of is powered by L3Harris. Episodes 1 and 2 are now available.

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 AOC member/subscriber-only episode of From the Crows’ Nest coming to you from AOC Europe 2024 in Oslo, Norway, host Ken Miller is joined by three special guests: Lieutenant Colonel Erik Bamford, Branch Chief of EW, Norwegian Armed Forces; Journalist and author, Dr. Tom Withington; and Duncan McCrory from the Department of War Studies at King’s College, UK. Together they discuss alliances and collaboration in supporting multi-domain electromagnetic warfare operations.

These AOC member/subscribers-only episodes of FTCN will be released twice a month. Members and subscribers will also be able to participate in the live recording of the episodes. These episodes will be available for a limited time to everyone who already enjoys our podcast. Become a member today so you won’t miss one of these essential episodes at crows.org. 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 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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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, 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!

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, we’re exploring the complex implementation  of the Pentagon’s Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) vision and its impact on electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO). We’re joined by Brigadier General Charles R. “Rob” Parker,  Deputy Director J6 of The Joint Staff. Together, Host Ken Miller and Brigadier General Parker discuss the five key lines of effort and how they will transform the way we fight and win in future combat; the roles of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the evolution of decision-making across dimensions of C2; and how important JADC2 initiatives are addressed in the defense budget in FY 2022 and beyond. Brigadier General Parker helps us understand the challenges and opportunities the Pentagon faces as it pursues ADC2 as it advances the JADC2 mission.

To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

The AOC thanks Northrop Grumman Corporation for sponsoring this episode.

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, 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. 

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 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.

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 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.

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, we continue our series on the role of Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) in Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2). Host Ken Miller sits down with Jim Conroy of Northrop Grumman Corporation for an industry perspective on delivering capabilities that meet JADC2 requirements for speed, compatibility and commonality. Then, Ken is joined by Mr. Patrick Flood, Senior National Security Policy Advisor for Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02), a staff lead for the congressional Electromagnetic Warfare Working Group (EWWG).

To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

The AOC thanks Northrop Grumman Corporation for sponsoring this episode.

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 brings back Brian Clark, Senior Fellow and Director for the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at the Hudson Institute. Brian’s upcoming report titled “Hedging Bets: Rethinking Force Design for a Post Dominance Era” argues that the United States is in a “post dominance era” and faces relatively new disadvantages due to weapon proliferation. Brian notes that one of the biggest advantages of the U.S. right now is that it isn’t seeking to change the status quo of a country or region, unlike countries like China or Russia. 

Brian and Ken discuss how to predict the probabilities of potential conflict and what potential role members of proposed “hedge forces” can take in responding to international conflict. Brian also explains how the Department of Defense can take steps to make an affordable defense force.

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 episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller sits down with Anthony Lisuzzo, AOC’s President-Elect and a dynamic force in the world of electromagnetic warfare. Tony brings a wealth of experience, having served as a Senior Executive Service (SES) leader within the Department of Defense and U.S. Army, and now steering the ship as President and CEO of Ironwave Technologies, a cutting-edge component manufacturing company.

Ken and Tony discuss the changing landscape of EW over the last 20 years, from Tony’s time as an SES and until now through his lens of industry leader. They also discuss Tony’s vision for the AOC during his time in office which begins in December at AOC 2024 (December 11-13, National Habor, MD) and what issues should garner greater attention in the AOC.

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. 

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 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. 

How does artificial intelligence and machine learning affect electronic warfare system effectiveness? How are EW capabilities changing with adversarial powers like China or with non-state actors in the Middle East? In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller answers these questions and more as he delves into some of the most common listener questions the show has received on everything EW.

Ken also explores the role Congress plays in shaping the development and deployment of electronic warfare technologies, as well as the emerging technology that’s likely to shape the future of EW in global conflicts years or decades into the future.

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 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!

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. 

Host Ken Miller sits with Dr. Bill Conley, Mercury’s Chief Technology Officer, and the person responsible for the technical vision and implementation of strategic objectives at the 58th International Symposium and Annual Convention. Ken and Dr. Conley discuss key messages from the day, SOSA Roundtable, trends in defense industrial base, as well as a discussion on microelectronics supply chain.

To learn more about the 58th International Symposium and Annual Convention and today’s topics and to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Mercury Systems. 

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. 

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. 

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 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.

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 of AOC’s Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED). Ken and John discuss the progress and future of the DOD’s Replicator Initiative as insight into how the Department is addressing evolving threats in the electromagnetic spectrum, especially pertaining to the use of unmanned systems. They also discuss the latest in the lawsuit brought about by Ligado LLC against the DOD and what it means for the push toward dynamic spectrum access. This is the final subscription bonus episode for 2024 through the holidays. We will return to our normal schedule in January 2025.

Also, don’t miss Season 1 of our new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) podcast powered by L3 Harris. Episodes 1-3 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, 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.

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. 

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.

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 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.

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 AOC member/subscriber-only episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined once again by John Knowles, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED) and Matt Thompson, AOC’s Senior Analyst to discuss current events and news on electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO). Together, they share their insights on Iran’s recent drone and missile attack against Israel and what lessons should the U.S. and its allies learn from the attack. They also discuss the development and fielding of directed energy weapons, the U.S. defense budget, and how to keep the titanic from sinking on spectrum reallocation and dynamic spectrum access.

These AOC member/subscribers-only episodes of FTCN will be released twice a month. Members and subscribers will also be able to participate in the live recording of the episodes. These episodes will be available for a limited time to everyone who already enjoys our podcast. Become a member today so you won’t miss one of these essential episodes at crows.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. 

Open Systems Architecture (OSA) is changing the defense electronics market and the business dynamics of today’s Department of Defense (DOD). The Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) can streamline US military capabilities and enable technological agility, adaptability and speed of development for an advantage in modern combat. With the Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) Consortium releasing new technical standards this month, From the Crows’ Nest host, Ken Miller, sits down with Dr. Ilya Lipkin from the US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center and Mr. Ben Peddicord from the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command to discuss this new standards benchmark and how the Tri-Services – Army, Air Force, and Navy – plan to leverage MOSA for development of advance warfighting technology.

To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage. 

The AOC thanks Pacific Defense for sponsoring this episode.

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. 

It’s summer! In this episode, we reach back into our archives to re-air a conversation between host, Ken Miller, and his guest, Dean Cheng, on “China’s Quest for Information Dominance,” which originally aired on April 26, 2023. Dean is a senior advisor to the China program at the U.S. Institute of Peace. He has written extensively on China’s military doctrine, the technological implications of its space program and “dual use” issues associated with China’s industrial and scientific infrastructure. FTCN will return with new episodes in August.

To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage or to subscribe, visit here. You can also email Ken 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 sits down with Brian Clark, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at the Hudson Institute. Together, they delve into the heart of the Pentagon’s latest debates and innovative reforms.

Clark unveils his compelling "Iron Triangle" proposal—a strategic framework highlighting relevant capability, operational concepts, and scalable impact—as a beacon to guide the Department of Defense through a labyrinth of challenges. This episode doesn't shy away from the gritty reality of transforming isolated case studies into sweeping institutional change. Clark also shares insights from a riveting conversation on how groundbreaking technologies are reshaping defense strategies, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

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 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 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 the episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by Dr. Andrew Long of Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). Dr. Long has spent more than 16 years designing antennas and RF components for various applications ranging from moonshot research to commercial products, from HF to Q-band. His current tasks and interests at SwRI revolve around design, fabrication, and measurement of exceptionally novel apertures. Ken and Dr. Long discuss the rapidly growing field of High-Powered Microwave (HPM) technology, which serves as a bridge between traditional electronic warfare, especially electronic attack, and directed energy laser technology. What qualifies as HPM? What are the fundamental challenges and trade-offs, and where are current research pursuits taking the combined EW and DE communities.

To learn more about SwRI, 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. 

On this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller speaks with 17-year-old high school senior Jonathan Dorminy about his nationally-acclaimed project studying a frequency range between microwave and infrared, known as “the terahertz gap.”

This gap is a range of the electromagnetic spectrum that has been barely utilized compared to the rest of the spectrum. Using this frequency band can be difficult because of limitations on how fast transistors can switch for generating signals. Jonathan’s project used a black-box radiator (an object to generate signals of a specific intensity and frequency by being heated to a specific temperature) to run an experiment and achieve a reading 60 times faster than what anyone else has managed to produce. Ken says this project shows the terahertz gap as an intriguing frontier for both commercial and defense industries.

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. 

From the Crows’ Nest Host Ken Miller is joined once again by AOC Senior Analyst Matt Thompson and JED Editor-in-Chief John Knowles. They continue their discussion from the January 24 episode on January 24 to share their thoughts on recent developments across the global EMSO community, including news from the US Air Force 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing, countering attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militants from Yemen, and how Directed Energy can be a game-changer in an increasingly turbulent global security environment – and how EW specialists can help bring DE capabilities to the field.

These AOC member/subscribers-only episodes of FTCN will be released twice a month. Members and subscribers will also be able to participate in the live recording of the episodes. For a limited time, these episodes will be available to everyone who already enjoys our podcast. Become a member today so you won’t miss one of these essential episodes at crows.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 AOC member/subscriber-only episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller welcomes back his esteemed friend and colleague, Col. Jeff Fischer, USAF (Ret.). The episode delves into recent developments in the War in Ukraine, particularly the strategic implications of F-16s arriving in Ukraine and their potential impact on air superiority in the conflict.

Additionally, Jeff introduces his inspiring new charitable organization, Shelter to Service, which transforms shelter dogs into service animals to support veterans and their families battling PTSD. Jeff shares personal insights into his journey with PTSD, which he poignantly explores in his military fiction novels.

Tune in to discover how Shelter to Service is making a difference and learn how you can contribute to this noble cause. For more information about Shelter to Service and to support their mission, click here. Visit Jeff’s website here for more information on his books.

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 Dr. David Thirtyacre, Assistant Professor in the College of Aeronautics at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. David is the Chair and Chief Pilot for the Department of Flight and currently instructs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Flight Operations, Aerodynamics, Aircraft Performance, Unmanned Systems, Airborne Robotics, and Aviation and Aerospace Simulation Systems. He retired from the USAF with 27 years of duty in the fighter community with over 3500 hours piloting fighter aircraft and was a pioneer in the use of unmanned systems.

They discuss how sUAS are used in current conflicts around the world and the capabilities they offer, including signals intelligence (SIGINT), tactical communications and networking, and as a weapons system. David also shares his thoughts on how artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving the use of sUAS and what the future holds for this advanced technology.

To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

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Digital Transformation is creating new business processes, culture, and customer experiences to meet the market requirements. Technology, data, and the cloud are concepts that have come together so that we can tackle information together. A fundamental piece of digital transformation is getting to a point where we share our information and have a framework where it's not just our information, but collective information that is shared by the community. In this episode, podcast host Ken Miller sits with Mr. Ryan Tintner, Vice President of Digital Transformation at Northrop Grumman Corporation. They define what digital transformation means from an industry perspective as they move through the concept of all-domain operations. Ken and Ryan discuss how digital transformation means different things to different missions, and Ryan explains how it helps an organization integrate technology, people, and processes to do everything faster and more effectively. Open systems architecture is an important piece of digital transformation, and this episode expands on what it means in sustainment and the life cycle costs of technology and systems and what it all means for the DoD. 

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 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.

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, 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!

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 of From the Crows’ Nest is coming to you from AOC 2024. On Day 2 of the show, host Ken Miller is joined by General Thomas Bussiere, Commander Air Force Global Strike Command and Commander, Air Forces Strategic – Air, U.S. Strategic Command. Later, Ken sits with Vice Admiral Craig Clapperton, Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command / U.S. Tenth Fleet / Joint Force Headquarters - Cyber (Navy). They discuss this week’s theme of Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) in the context of Great Power Competition. They also share collaborative efforts under their leadership across the joint force and with allied/partner forces in the realm of EMSO.

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 AOC member/subscriber-only episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by Madison Arcangeli and Katy Nazaretova from Forza DC, a women-owned federal strategies and consulting firm in Washington, DC, to discuss the latest developments of the annual defense budget process on Capitol Hill. Specifically, they discuss the status of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the outlook for defense appropriations bills, and the crucial role the upcoming election in November may play in shaping the balance of power in the House and Senate.

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 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. 

Host Ken Miller sits with Brig. Gen. Shawn W. Campbell, Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer, Chief of Space Operations, Headquarters U.S. Space Force and Chief Master Sergeant Amber B. Mitchell, U.S. Space Force, S1 Senior Enlisted Leader at the 58th International Symposium and Annual Convention. Ken discusses with Gen. Campbell and CMSgt Mitchell, the natural alignment between the traditional EW/EMSO warfighter community and the Space Force/Guardian community. Ken also expands on Gen. Campbell’s and CMSgt Mitchell’s main messages to the audience from their session earlier at the convention. 

To learn more about the 58th International Symposium and Annual Convention and today’s topics and to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Samtec. 

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 shares the highlights of several interviews he conducted last month during AOC Europe 2024 from Olso, Norway. He is also joined by AOC Senior Analyst Matt Thompson, who attended the Directed Energy Professional Society (DEPS) Annual S&T Conference in Colorado Springs. Ken and Matt discuss some of the funding and development challenges facing the Directed Energy (DE) programs and how the EMSO community can help operationalize DE against emerging threats, especially in the Space domain.

AOC Europe interviews include conversations with Lieutenant Colonel Erik Bamford, Branch Chief EW with the Royal Norwegian Air Force and member of the AOC Board of Directors; Colonel Josh Koslov, US Air Force, Commander of the 350 Spectrum Warfare Wing; Commander Gunnar Marcusson, Head of the EW Branch with the Swedish Armed Forces; Air Commodore Blythe Crawford from the Air & Space Warfare Center with the United Kingdom Royal Air Force, and Dr. Karen Haigh, a renowned expert on Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Systems. 

To hear the full interviews along with booth spotlights from several exhibitors, visit and follow the AOC LinkedIn page.

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 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.

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, podcast host Ken Miller sits with Mr. David Tremper, the Director of Electronic Warfare and the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. Ken and David discuss the acquisition of new EW capabilities across the military services in the FY 2022 Defense Budget, the growing emphasis on EMS Survivability, and the rise of collaborative systems using artificial intelligence and machine learning, and how these new systems are shaping our ability to achieve EMS superiority.  

To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Northrop Grumman Corporation.

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 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.

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. 

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 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 talks to Chesapeake Technology International (CTI) Founder and CSO Dustin Hellwig. Dustin has over thirty years of experience in electronic warfare (EW), spectrum management, and CEMA environments. He specializes in the development of distributed, collaborative, and autonomous EW systems. He has significantly advanced EW models, simulations, and mission planning for various military platforms and operations.

During their conversation, Ken and Dustin delve into the potential benefits – and drawbacks – of recent advancements with these EW systems. Dustin's unique perspective highlights how these systems can enhance operational capabilities and extend the "reach" of special operations with autonomous or semi-autonomous participants. However, he also acknowledges the diverse opinions on how to operate and manage this space. The duo also addresses the challenges of the military sector in appreciating and keeping up with commercial innovation, providing valuable insights.

Visit crows.org to learn more about today's topics or stay updated on EMSO and EW developments.

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. 

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 at

the 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 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, Ken Miller, AOC’s Director of Advocacy and Outreach, sits down with Madison Strader Arcangeli, Managing Partner, and Katy Nazaretova, Director of National Security and Technology Policy at Forza DC, for an insider's preview of the 2024 U.S. general election. They dive into the key dynamics shaping the presidential, House, and Senate races, shedding light on polling challenges, spotlight races, and the importance of every vote. Tune in for expert insights and a look at the impact these races could have on the future of national security and policy.

These exclusive episodes are released twice a month, keeping you informed on the latest developments in electromagnetic spectrum warfare. To access them and participate in live recordings as a member of the virtual audience, join AOC at www.crows.org or subscribe for just $2.99/month at www.ftcnpodcast.org.

We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts or questions directly with the host at host@fromthecrowsnest.org. Stay engaged and be part of the conversation shaping the future of EW.

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 talks to author Dr. Joseph Guerci about the evolution and outlook for cognitive electronic warfare systems. Dr. Guerci is an internationally recognized leader in research and development of next generation sensor and cognitive systems and has over 30 years of experience in government, industry and academia, including several years with DARPA.

Ken asks Dr. Guerci about the relationship between artificial intelligence, deep learning and cognitive systems, as well as what “neuromorphic” chips are. The two explore the role and limitations of “digitally engineering” in electronic warfare training. 

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. 

Electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO) is rapidly changing the way we think about modern warfare. Too often, EMSO is placed on the back burner and only thought of until a crisis arises. This forces leaders to scramble to find solutions for achieving an advantage. We need a proactive approach that provides our warfighters what they need today and anticipates what they need tomorrow. Is EMSO on the right path? We answer this in today’s episode with John Knowles, editor of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED). 

Ken and John discuss the biggest developments in EMSO over the past year, from new joint doctrine to a unified strategy to greater oversight by Congress. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO developments, visit our website. 

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Northrop Grumman Corporation.

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, Host Ken Miller recaps and shares excerpts from a conversation he had earlier with Mr. John Knowles, editor of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED). They cover a range of issues from the defense budget to JADC2, and some upcoming additions of the JED that are coming out in September. Ken also shares exciting news about upcoming From the Crows’ Nest episodes, including a sit down with Mr. David Weinberger, author of the book Everyday Chaos: Technology, Complexity, and How We’re Thriving in a New World of Possibility. 

To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.

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 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.

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 for AOC members and subscribers, host Ken Miller welcomes back John Knowles, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED). They delve into crucial questions posed by our virtual audience and listeners, tackling topics like the challenges of procurement deficits, escalating tensions in the Middle East, and the global lessons emerging from the War in Ukraine. The discussion also addresses a critical concern with Doctrine, Organization, Training, Material, Leadership, Personnel, and Facilities (DOTMLPF). John provides expert insights into this pressing issue and previews upcoming feature articles in JED that explore these themes in depth.

To hear this episode in its entirety, click here.

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 CX2 co-founders Nathan Mintz and Porter Smith to discuss the changing role of electronic warfare in international conflicts.

The conversation focuses on the role of EW in conflicts in the Middle East, as well as with the Russo-Ukrainian War. The founders discuss the implications of developing autonomous systems and the increased complexity of modern conflicts driven by a network of inexpensive, expendable assets such as kamikaze drones. Nathan and Porter alsoexplore the challenges and prospects of maintaining spectrum dominance, the integration of commercial development practices into defense technologies, and the necessity for agile, responsive innovation in military procurement and system development. 

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 episode of From the Crow’s Nest, host Ken Miller talks to Brian “Hinks” Hinkley, a retired Navy Captain and President of the Association of Old Crows. 

The two talk about how far the world of EW has changed in recent years, including evidence that people are understanding how critical EW and EMSO is in combat situations around the world. Brian tells Ken that America faces a variety of EW-related challenges – from the threat of rogue nations and non-state actors gaining access to EW technology to a dated acquisition procurement system. The two also discuss the current state of recruitment and training, and what AOC and others can do to help develop highly-trained personnel.

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. 

Directed energy (DE) weapons are changing how we think about electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO). High tech innovations are more rapidly moving DE systems from the lab to the field and into the hands of our warfighters. In this episode, podcast host Ken Miller sits with Mr. Mark Neice, Executive Director of the Directed Energy Professional Society, or DEPS. 

Ken and Mark discuss some of the progress in DE from the past year as well as exciting new advances on the horizon in 2022 and beyond. Specifically, Ken and Mark talk about advances in DE for counter UAS capabilities and the progress of other systems, including the Navy’s ODIN, HELIOS and Laser Weapon System Demonstrator (LWSD), the Army’s DE Mobile SHORAD (M-SHORAD) capability, and the US Air Force’s THOR system. Ken and Mark also discuss the universal application of directed energy and electromagnetic warfare and the importance it holds for DoD and the future of warfighting.