The Army has announced approval for the establishment of a new Electronic Warfare 29-series career field for officers, warrant officers and enlisted personnel. The new career field will eventually give the Army the largest electronic warfare manpower force of all the services. Nearly 1,600 EW personnel, serving at every level of command, will be added to the Army over the next three years. The Army is also considering adding an additional 2,300 personnel to the career field in the near future as personnel become available, officials said. The Army's EW personnel will be experts not only in fighting the threat of improvised explosive devices, but will also provide commanders and their staffs guidance on how the electromagnetic spectrum can impact operations, officials said, and how friendly EW can be used to gain an advantage in support of tactical and operational objectives across the full spectrum of operations.
Electronic Warfare can save large numbers of lives in the field. embedding an Electronic Warfare specialist with troops can allow them to know if there is a device broadcasting in the vicinity (like an IED controlled by cell phone). This will allow our troops to move safely in foreign cities and possible zero in on communications equipment being used by our enemies. Jamming signals other than our own can reduce the enemies ability to communicate and effectively Isolate them. What role should Electronic Warfare play in the theater?
Read the Full Story