AOC's 60th International Symposium & Convention: An Event Worth Crowing About

By John Oncea, Editor

The Annual AOC International Symposium & Convention is the leading event for electronic warfare, electromagnetic spectrum operations, cyber-electromagnetic activities, and information operations professionals worldwide. Let’s take a look at what to expect from this, the 60^th edition of the event.

What is a crow? Dictionary.com defines it as:

crow [ kroh ]

noun

1. any of several large oscine birds of the genus Corvus, of the family Corvidae, having a long, stout bill, lustrous black plumage, and a wedge-shaped tail, as the common C. brachyrhynchos, of North America.
2. any of several other birds of the family Corvidae.
3. any of various similar birds of other families.
4. Crow, Astronomy. the constellation Corvus.

verb (used without object), crowed or, for 1, (especially British), crew; crowed; crow·ing.

1. to utter the characteristic cry of a rooster.
2. to gloat, boast, or exult (often followed by over).
3. to utter an inarticulate cry of pleasure, as an infant does.

RF, association

1. name emerged from the first large-scale use of Electronic Warfare during the WWII Battle of Britain and the U.S./Allied bombing raids over Europe. The Allied Radar Countermeasure operators used the code name “ravens” and employed receivers and transmitters to monitor and jam threat frequencies. Military jargon later changed “ravens” to “crows.” Since that time, the defense of (and maneuver within) the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) has been undertaken by “crows” across the military, government, industrial base, and academia.

It’s that third definition I added that we’re interested in, and for good reason. From December 11 – 13, the Association of Old Crows (AOC) will be hosting the 60th Annual AOC International Symposium & Convention at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD

This is a three-day event expected to attract nearly 2,000 professionals spanning industry, military, and government sectors from more than 30 countries and will feature a show floor with over 100 exhibiting companies.

AOC is an organization with over 14,000 members internationally who have common interests in Electronic Warfare (EW), Electromagnetic Spectrum Management Operations, Cyber Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA), Information Operations (IO), and other information-related capabilities. AOC provides a means of connecting members and organizations nationally and internationally across government, defense, industry, and academia to promote the exchange of ideas and information and provides a platform to recognize advances and contributions in these fields.

Advancing EMS Superiority Through Strategic Alliances and Partnerships

The theme for this year’s event is Advancing EMS Superiority Through Strategic Alliances and Partnerships, of which AOC writes, “Superiority in the electromagnetic spectrum continues to prove itself as a game-changing capability that provides a decisive operational advantage in conflicts worldwide. Integrating and syncronizing EMS operations in every warfighting domain across the entire range of military operations is a clear imperative for our warfighters.

“But continued success demands that industry, academia, military, governments, and professional associations form alliances and partnerships to share perspectives and expertise throughout the entire range of the EMS. AOC 2023 provides a collaborative forum to capture the passion of professionals ready and willing to make a difference and directly impact our future.”

Keynotes, Spotlights, Breakouts, And Exhibitors

Attendees can expect to strengthen their knowledge and skills on current and relevant topics to the EMSO community with informative sessions led by subject-matter experts; engage and connect with hundreds of stakeholders, thought leaders, and experts in the industry to expand their global network; and discover cutting-edge technologies and solutions to help gain an advantage in the field with a packed show floor of more than 100 exhibiting companies.

Keynote and Spotlight speakers include:

• The Honorable Carlos Del Toro, United States Secretary of the Navy
• Col (Ret.) Jeffrey Fischer, USAF, Author and Journalist in International Security
• Lieutenant General Matthew G. Glavy, Deputy Commandant for Information, USMC
• Captain Iaroslav Kalinin, Chief Executive Officer, Infozahyst LLC/Ukraine Army Reserves
• Vice Admiral Stephen T. "Web" Koehler, Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy, J5, Joint Staff/Senior Member, Navy, United States Delegation to the United Nations Military Staff
• Major General Borys Kremenetskyi, UKR-Air Force & Defense Attache, Embassy of Ukraine to the USA
• Lieutenant General (Ret) Lance Landrum, Former 23rd Deputy Chair of The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Military Committee          Vice
• Admiral Francis Morley, Principal Military Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition), Navy
• RDML Darryl L. Walker, USN, Deputy to the Commander, Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber (Navy)TENTH Fleet

There are also nearly 60 breakout session speakers lined up, as well as AOC’s highly anticipated Program Manager (PM) Briefing Series which is focused on bridging requirements to programs and informing industry on the acquisition milestone chart for contracting opportunities. Each session will offer open question and answer which will allow participants to seek greater clarity on the details of the upcoming opportunities.

Among the exhibiting companies is an old friend of ours, dB Control (Booth #1531), a designer and manufacturer of high-power TWT Amplifiers (TWTAs), microwave power modules (MPMs), transmitters, high- and low-voltage power supplies, and modulators for radar, electronic countermeasures (ECM), and data link applications. dB Control, along with all of the other exhibiting companies, will be available to all attendees during show hours:

• Monday, December 11 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 12 from 9:45 a.m. until 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, December 13 from 9:45 p.m. until 2 p.m.

Another exhibitor – Host Sponsor L3Harris – writes of it, “We look forward to highlighting our 60-plus-year legacy of delivering EW broad multifunction capabilities and end-to-end solutions which ensure spectrum superiority across all domains. We're developing the next generation of EW solutions to counter threats with speed, agility, and resilience across the electromagnetic spectrum to ensure mission success in tomorrow's fight.”