UK AOC Newsletter - Sept 2009 |
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NATO OPERATIONAL UNIT OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Light Electronic Warfare Teams (LEWTs) operated in close proximity to Enemy Forces (EF) and were involved in many serious engagements. The EW Teams in the Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) all came under direct and indirect fire during the tour with one team taking over fifty rounds of mortar fire in one half-an-hour period. Embedded within foot and mobile patrols, the LEWTs' accurate and timely information to the commander on the ground helped to save many lives. An excellent example of this was the Squadron's use of ground-based Electronic Attack (EA) which denied communications to an EF forming up to attack friendly forces.
The quality of the EW teams' work was fully recognised by local commanders who regularly sought their support for operations. Thousands of significant intercepts were reported including over 3000 from one key FOB alone. This information was used to build a comprehensive database of insurgent activity which was forwarded to the SEWOC and elsewhere, where its outstanding quality was rightly commended. The Squadron also worked tirelessly to improve air-ground integration and, by utilising the Deployed Air Integration Team (DAIT), access was gained to intercept cross-cueing. This drive for greater cooperation benefited not only Task Force Helmand HQ (TFH HQ), but also the wider ISAF community. It culminated in two US Air Force officers working in UK HQ during a joint US/UK/DNK operation to deliver a turbine to the Kajaki Dam. A highly trained operator was also loaned to Special Forces which assisted mutual understanding and close collaboration. Members of the Squadron also liaised with Afghan Security Forces (ANSF) and conducted mentoring in many outlying areas. On return to the UK, Squadron members have been actively engaged in training other EW teams for operations. The Squadron's support to training development teams has been much in demand and the command team has conducted many briefs covering its experiences and imparting knowledge to personnel at the tactical and operational levels. TFH HQ recognised the value of 226 Signal Squadron (EW) by deeming it to be a high value asset. This assessment recognised the courage, industry, professionalism and skill-sets required not only to deliver a vital service but to improve it. Better air-ground integration, cross-cueing from strategic assets, use of ground EA and mentoring ANSF bear testament to 226's success and have resulted in enhanced interoperability. 226 Signal Squadron's outstanding conduct of EW on the front line richly deserves this NATO Unit of the Year Award.
Members may like to know that the nomination for this prestigious award was written and put forward by the UK Chapter’s co-opted Royal Navy Director, then in MoD, with support from Board members. The AOC UK Chapter, in fully endorsing this accolade and adding its own congratulations, is planning to present its Commendation and a cheque for £500 to 226 Signal Squadron (EW) during the AOC Convention in Washington DC on 19 October. A PAT ON THE BACK Congratulate yourselves! The AOC UK Chapter has been graded as a Distinguished Chapter in the Large Chapter category in the annual AOC chapter awards. This is the highest level achievable. Whilst we have frequently been graded as Excellent or Outstanding, we believe this is our first Distinguished! In fact it may be the first time that this award has been given outside of the USA. This award is not only a measure of how the Chapter is organised and managed but a reflection of its range of activities and the involvement of the membership. So well done to all. MOD DE&S SEMINAR 3 NOVEMBER 2009
The 2009 MOD DE&S Abbey Wood Air Platform Protection Seminar will take place on Tuesday 3 November. There will be the customary update on the Air Sensor Systems & Platform Protection Project Team’s current programmes and interests, especially the Common DAS TDP. This year the general theme will be “A Joint Approach to Platform Protection” and will examine how the UK can explore synergies in international EW acquisition and support while achieving UK Operational Sovereignty and in the face of ITAR and other regulation overseas. The day will follow the familiar format and Sqn Ldr Tim Gosling will be targeting presenters in the near future. For now, please make a note of the date in your diaries and pass the message on to anyone you feel may be interested. A detailed agenda will be available in due course. VISITS AND EVENTS The following visits and events are being arranged and details will be published as they become available: · Visit to Selex Galileo and Abacus EW Consultancy, Lincoln, 13 October (flyer attached). · Joint AOC/DEHS EW Symposium, Shrivenham 14 October. · AOC 46th Annual Convention, Washington DC, 18-21 October. · MOD DE&S Air Platform Protection Seminar, Abbey Wood, 3 November. · Joint AOC/Defence Academy classified Symposium, Shrivenham, 2-3 December. AOC UK Chapter Christmas Dinner, London, Friday 11 December.
With summer and holidays well and truly behind us, many are now fully engaged in work once again and doubtless busy with the many demands a job in the high tech, ever pressing world of EW. So I will keep this letter short. The successes of individuals in the operationally vital world of EW that the previous Newsletter and this one records are a sign that EW is once again at the top of the military agenda. The role of the AOC, and particularly the UK Chapter, in this is a small one but nonetheless important. We record the success of many but must strive to ensure that the gains so painfully won are not lost again. In the now global reach of the AOC, the UK Chapter has been acknowledged as pre-eminent. As your executive director David Kitching has noted, this is evidence of your efforts as members. It also recognises the often unseen and unknown work of the Chapter Directors, both executive and non-executive, over a long period. I want to publicly acknowledge their contribution and ask that you do too. But the great contribution EW has made to recent and current operations was also the work of many folk who are not members of the AOC: those serving, in industry, science, technology, academia or elsewhere. We must also recognise their achievements in supporting the front line. I also happen to think that these people have much to offer the AOC and that the AOC has much to offer them both in their current positions and in future. I believe that all current members would do their country and the AOC a huge favour by encouraging their colleagues who are not members to join us, the UK Chapter of the AOC. As for you, our current members, the UK Board wants to encourage your participation in any way possible. Our newly re-hosted web-site - thanks to a great effort by our VP, Chris Howe MBE, and his company - is an ideal way to contact the Board with ideas, complaints, suggestions or offers of help. Please make the effort to get in touch with us. Finally, the annual meeting of Chapter Presidents is about to take place in Washington DC during the international AOC Convention in mid October. If you have any issues you think should be broached, send them to me or other Board members. If you are attending, please make yourselves known to me, Chris Howe, Bob Andrews, or any of the other Board members you may meet there. Let’s keep the EW flag flying and pave the way for an even better EW future through our greatest assets - knowledgeable and enthusiastic people. John Clifford OBE President AOC UK Chapter www.ukaoc.org
UK CHAPTER VISIT TO ABACUS EW and SELEX GALILEO Lincoln
Tuesday 13 October 2009
Your Board is very pleased to announce that Abacus EW Consultancy Limited and SELEX GALILEO have kindly agreed to host visits to their respective facilities in Lincoln on Tuesday 13 October 2009. Abacus EW specialises in both Communications ESM (CESM) and Radar ESM (RESM) training using advanced simulators and live EW equipment and provides both an EW Technical and an EW Operational consultancy. The SELEX GALILEO EW Operational Support (EWOS) Centre provides an in-house facility for the design, production, validation and through-life support of Mission Data Sets for programmable EW equipment and a full EWOS training facility for international and UK customers. Abacus EW Consultancy Ltd The Stables, Wellingore Hall, Hall Street, Wellingore, Lincoln LN5 0HU SELEX GALILEO 3 Alpha
Court, Kingsley Road, Lincoln LN6 3TA
1215 Drive to SELEX GALILEO 1630 Depart as required Members wishing to attend should complete the proforma below and send it by snail mail or e-mail to David Kitching as soon as possible.
To: David Kitching, 17 Drury Lane, Hunsdon, Hertfordshire, SG12 8NU. Tel: 01279-843293 E-mail: davidjkitching@aol.com I wish to attend the Abacus/SELEX visit on Tuesday 13 October 2009. Full Name: AOC Membership No: Telephone: E-Mail:
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