UK AOC Newsletter - October 2006 |
Chapter of The YearPlease pat yourselves on the back! The UK Chapter has again been awarded a Chapter of The Year prize. We were graded as a ‘Distinguished Chapter – Large Category’ and will receive a $200 prize at the AOC Convention in Washington DC in November. Election TimeThe positions of AOC UK Chapter President, Secretary and Membership Secretary are due for election in 2007. The present incumbents (Bob Andrews, Roger Hannaford and Wynne Davies) have indicated that they are willing to continue in their respective posts and will therefore retain these positions unless an election is called for. Following the recent resignation of the Vice President, Roger Blackburn, this position is currently vacant and is also open for election. Nominations for these positions are therefore invited from the UK membership. In accordance with the Constitution of the UK Chapter, nominations for the position of President shall be supported in writing by no less than six full members of the AOC UK Chapter and for Directors by no less than three full members of the Chapter. All nominations must be validated by the nominee's agreement, in writing, to stand and should be submitted to Peter Nunn, Chairman of the Nominations Committee, at:
1 The Cottages, The Fleet EW Effectiveness TrophyWe are delighted to offer our congratulations to HMS NOTTINGHAM Electronic Warfare Team as the winner of the Fleet EW Effectiveness Trophy for 2005/06. The Ship’s EW team have gone from strength to strength over the past year. Success in training has led to excellent results in multi-national operations, both with NATO and with a French Task Force. The Department has contributed to tactical development, helped to train Partnership for Peace allies for operations and has received recognition and praise from external agencies. A positive ‘can do’ attitude in the face of manpower shortages has enabled the EW team to make a very significant contribution to the Ship’s Operational Capability. From May to June 2005 NOTTINGHAM deployed with the French Carrier Task Force as part of OPERATION FRAME, taking part in Joint Exercises with French, US, Canadian and Spanish Forces. Since January 2006 NOTTINGHAM’s contribution to Maritime Counter Terrorism operations in the Mediterranean has been the prime focus of the EW Department’s work. A variety of information sources have been utilised to provide the Command with up to date and accurate information regarding situational awareness. This has been a reciprocal flow of information, with the EW Manager developing strong working relationships with other agencies. In February 2006 NOTTINGHAM exercised with Russian units in order to provide training for Russia’s intended contribution to Operation Active Endeavour. During this period PO(EW) Woolridge spent three days in RFS MOSKVA. In summary, NOTTINGHAM’s EW Department has worked hard to ensure that they have simultaneously delivered the best possible level of EW and Intelligence support to the Command whilst providing strong contributions to both fields at NATO and National levels. HMS MONTROSE was a most worthy runner up. There was very little to choose between the two ships as both have demonstrated proactive attitudes within all EW and OPINTEL areas. HMS MONTROSE has maintained very high standards of operational capability firmly led and with joint team effort. The Fleet EW Effectiveness Trophy was presented to the NOTTINGHAM EW Team by Vice Admiral Sir Tim McClement KCB OBE RN, Deputy C-in-C Fleet, and the AOC UK Chapter Commendation by Dr Bob Andrews, President, with Directors John Stubbington and Jim MacCulloch in attendance.
VICE ADMIRAL SIR TIM McCLEMENT, DEPUTY C-in-C FLEET,
HMS NOTTINGHAM’s EW TEAM WITH THE FLEET EW EFFECTIVENESS TROPHY
AOC UK CHAPTER PRESIDENT, Dr BOB ANDREWS, Visit to SELEXWe are grateful to Terry Thompson and his colleagues for organising and hosting a most enjoyable visit by 18 members to SELEX Sensors & Airborne Systems’ new facility at Capability Green, Luton, on 14 June 2006. A series of very interesting presentations on trends in EW technologies and their applications was very well received and much appreciated by all - as was a splendid lunch! Visit to the Defence Crisis Management CentreWing Commander John Clifford kindly hosted a short-notice visit by 21 members to the MOD DCMC under Whitehall on the evening of 12 September 2006. After a welcome by Air Cdre Brian Bates, Director of Joint Capability, we were given a very animated and enthusiastic briefing by Sqn Ldr Mike Bourton on the functioning of the DCMC itself, followed by an overview of current EW organisational issues and joint EW policy by John. A very enjoyable debriefing was then held on the PS Tattershall Castle on the Thames to round off a splendid event. We understand that John will be offering a repeat visit in a couple of years, once he has again rewritten joint EW policy! Electronic Warfare SymposiumThe 2nd EW Symposium, under the title “EW in an NEC Environment”, will be held at the Defence Academy, Shrivenham, on 6/7 December 2006. Members are asked to note that this symposium is classified SECRET and is supported by the EW Tower of Excellence and the AOC UK Chapter. Symposium details and an application to attend may be found on the Events page and at: http://www.defac.ac.uk/colleges/dcmt/events/electronic-warfare/ Having agreed to accept the support of the AOC UK Chapter for this event, this Defence Academy symposium will, in future years, effectively replace the biennial classified symposium previously run solely by the UK Chapter. AOC UK Chapter Christmas DinnerThe UK Chapter Christmas Dinner will be held in the Royal Air Force Club, London, on Friday 15 December 2006. This most enjoyable evening will cost you only £35 per head, including wine at the table, and is an ideal opportunity to personally convey the Season’s Greetings to your fellow Crows and their partners. An application form to attend is available on this website. Future EventsAny member with a burning ambition to speak in public about their EW prowess, their EW experiences, their novel EW invention or their company’s prize EW application, is cordially invited to contact any member of the Board who will be happy to arrange an appropriate hearing. AOC UK Web Site: www.ukaoc.orgPlease remember to press the refresh button on each page to get any updates to the site…… and please keep the Membership Secretary up to date with any change to your e-mail address. |
