Electronic-Warfare Opportunities at NTC

Electronic-Warfare Opportunities at NTC by SFC Jason N. Culver Figure 1. Examples of EW training at NTC throughout the lifecycle of a mission-rehearsal-exercise rotation. Reception, staging, onward movement and integration training

; Electronic warfare for Signal officers, advanced echelon pre-RSOI

; EW Warrant Officer Course (RSOI 1-4)

; Counter-RCIED EW classes (RSOI 1-4)

; Joint tactical air controller EW brief (RSOI 2)

; EW/intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance class (RSOI 3) Situational-training exercise/commmand-post exercise

; Battalion/brigade combat team EWOs develop electronic attack target packets in accordance with theater standard

; Battalion EWOs load/manage CREW

; BCT and battalion EWOs can conduct live EA ops

; JTAC EW brief (RSOI 2)

; EWOs can request EW targeting data Full-spectrum operations training

; Constructive EA in support of Training Day 9 named operation

; Live EA sortie in support of TD12 named operation

; Constructive EA aircraft; EWO communication via JABBER

; Constructive EA effects in support of immediate requests

; ~20 RCIEDs emplaced to stress CREW employment

; Two CREW load-set changes to meet emerging insurgent trends 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 1 2 3 4 5 Targeting Cycle A B C A B C A B C A B C

RSOI

Roll out 1 2 3 4 5 Situational-training exercise/ live-fire exercise (6) Full-spectrum operations (8) Command-post exercise (6)

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level leaders to fully understand and integrate the EWO into all functions across the spectrum of operations. To address these concerns, this article elaborates to maneuver commanders the benefits of having a 29E involved in mission planning and execution. Maximizing EW Field Manual 3-36, Electronic Warfare in Operations, is the current doctrine specifying the EWO’s capabilities, responsibilities and duties. This manual provides a good foundation for commanders at all echelons to understand what the EWO can bring to the fight. In the contemporary environment, the EWO brings much more to the table than counter-RCIED EW, or CREW, device-tracking and maintenance; FM 3-36 also states that the role of Army EW operations is to provide the land-force commander with capabilities to support full-spectrum operations. Commanders must fully integrate EW capabilities and apply them across the elements of combat power. At NTC, combat trainers assist the EWO and commanders by demonstrating “what right looks like.” To do this, combat trainers often coach EWOs to be confident in the knowledge they possess. Combat trainers recommend that the EWO work hand-in-hand with both the Fires Cell and the S-2 to understand the targeting methodology and the intelligence-preparation-of-the-battlefield process. Once EWOs understands their environment, they may confidently approach their leadership with recommendations April-June 2012 43 and demonstrate their ability to execute the commander’s intent. EW capabilities support all six warfighting functions. A few examples of support include target designation and range finding; denial of enemy information systems; use of the electromagnetic spectrum to counter IED operations; intelligence-collection capabilities; capabilities to search for, intercept, identify and locate sources of radiated energy; spectrum deconfliction; increased situational understanding and common operational picture development; and deception of enemy forces. Combat trainers assist the EWO and staff by creating situations that facilitate the full integration of the EWO into all staff functions – from commander update briefings, requesting electronic-attack assets, implementing EW capabilities and responsibilities during the targeting cycle, and participation in the military decision-making process throughout the unit’s rotation. Training EW NTC has the unique capability to replicate conditions found in both theaters of combat. Also, NTC provides a rare training environment where EW specialists can request, receive and integrate “live” EA assets from 55th Electronic Combat Group (EC- 130 Compass Call). NTC also replicates assets constructively by using both digital and frequency-modulation platforms. Because these assets are available real-time, the EWO is able to complete a thorough mission analysis and provide accurate data to the asset used. During a mission’s execution, the EWO is the conduit of information from the EA and electronic-support assets to the ground commander. Usually placed directly within the patrol, or stationary inside the current operations cell of the main command post, the EWO provides critical information to and from both the asset and ground commander, ensuring coordination and synchronization of electronic attack. Figure 2. Examples of EW-focused potential training opportunities during the situational-training exercise/command-post exercise phase of a rotation. Training Day 1-2

; All battalion EWOs develop minimum of one EA target packet in support of STX lanes

; Load counter- RCIED electronic warfare systems with load-set

; Request Joint Training Counter-IED Operations Integration Center intel products in support of STX lanes: deny-comms and RCIED suppression TD3

; Select battalion EWO preps for live EA TD4

; Train Special Operations Forces elements on live EA integration (if participating)

; Constructive EA in support of one STX lane TD4

; Live EA mission (1 battalion)

; Asset retasked to SOF to conduct jam to exploit (if participating)

; CPX integrates intel from live EA mission TD5

; Select battalion EWO preps for live EA TD6

; Constructive EA ISO one STX lane

; CREW loadset changes TD6

; Live EA mission (1 battalion)

; BCT EWO attemps dynamic retasking of asset (troops in contact)

; Intel from live EA mission supports TD9 named operation

; CPX phase hotwash with BCT EWO Leadership training program Reception, staging, onward movement, and integration Situational-training exercise/ command-post exercise Full-spectrum operations 6 days Whether constructive or live, the EWO is able to exercise jamming control authority, provide situational awareness and understanding to the commander and assist ground units in successfully executing missions. From his or her position, the EWO is able to modify actions, resolve issues within the electromagnetic spectrum and respond to the dynamics of the mission. Combat training centers have historically been the 29E’s first operational experience within the staff, and at the NTC, this experience is very realistic. Combat trainers assist the EWO by reinforcing what they have already learned in school by conducting refresher training during the reception, staging, onward-movement and integration week, followed by one-on-one training for the rest of the rotation. Combat trainers provide doctrinal references and instruction, assist EWOs with concept-of-operations development and demonstrate the correct methods of requesting, controlling and integrating assets. Also, combat trainers advise the staff on how to integrate the EWO into all warfighting functions. Once the rotation concludes, the 29E has experienced how to integrate his or her capabilities into the unit, built confidence in his or her abilities and demonstrated to the unit what the EWO can bring to the fight. Trainers on every team The Army Electronic Warfare Branch is still a growing capability; admittedly, integration is a steep learning process for all staffs at each echelon. The Army’s EW proponent is therefore working with NTC to develop commanders’ understanding and integration of EW into full-spectrum operations. As units receive their 29Es and rotate through CTCs such as NTC, commanders have the opportunity to cultivate an appreciation for what the EWO brings to the fight. At NTC, combat trainers are 44 April-June 2012

EWO course (RSOI 1-4)

; Audience: Rotational training unit EWOs (~15/rotation)

; Taught by Joint Center of Excellence EW trainers

; CREW management/employment

; EA concept of operation development

; Targeting tools Signals intelligence/ Counter-IED Operations Integration Center

; EA platform capabilities/limitations

; Air EA request requirements

; Spectrum deconfliction CREW classes (RSOI 1-4)

; Audience: RTU Soldiers and leaders

; Taught by Army Center of Excellence

; CREW system operations/employment EWO for signal officers (advanced echelon/ pre-RSOI )

; Audience: BCT/battalion S-6s, spectrum managers

; Taught by ops group EWO

; EA/commo deconfliction requirements

; Primary Alternate Contingency Emergency plan requirements for AEA assets JTAC EW Brief (RSOI 2, 1 hour)

; Audience: All JTACs and/or Air and Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, air liaison officers, U.S. Air Force ISR liaison officers

; Taught by Ops Group EWO

; Jamming control authority requirements

; Airborne EA commo requirements

; AEA platform capabilities EW/ISR synch class (RSOI 3, 2 hours)

; Audience: BCT S-2 section, collection managers, battalion S-2 sections

; Taught by Ops Group EWO

; EA/SIGINT synchronization

; Jam to exploit (herding) Electronic attack Electronic protect Electronic support Figure 3. Examples of EW-focused RSOI training opportunities at NTC for MRE rotations. committed to assisting units with EW training and integration; through aggressive use of mobile training teams, the NTC has trained some 1J ASI and practiced combat with them. In many respects, combat trainers are at the forward line of troops in assisting the Army with the implementation process and by providing the new 29E with valuable experience and knowledge, allowing for immediate use in either of the combatant theaters. More information about EW may be found from the EW proponent Website at https://combinedarmscenter.army.mil/pages/2/elec-tronicwarfareproponent.aspx. SFC Jason Culver is a 13F fire-support combat trainer on the Operations Group’s Cobra Team at NTC. He is a recent graduate of the operational EW, battle staff, Joint firepower control and collateral-damage-estimation courses. He is deployed to Afghanistan as part of the Worldwide Individual Augmentee System and, pending command approval, will return to NTC to clear and proceed to Warrant Officer Candidate School – then to Fort Sill, OK, to become a 290A EW technician. AEA – airborne electronic attack ASI – additional skill identifier BCT – brigade combat team CTC – combat training center CONOP – concept of operations CPX – command-post exercise CREW – counter radio-controlled improvised explosive device electronic warfare EA – electronic attack EW – electronic warfare EWO – electronic-warfare officer FM – field manual IED – improvised explosive device Acronym Quick-Scan ISR – intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance JTAC – Joint tactical air controller MRE – mission-rehearsal exercise NTC – National Training Center RCIED – radio-controlled improvised explosive device RSOI – reception, staging, onward movement and integration RTU – rotational training unit SIGINT – signals intelligence SOF – Special Operations Forces STX – situational-training exercise TD – training day April-June 2012 45