Welcome to the Invisible War

Invisible wars demand visible action. In this arena, coalition electronic warfare, interoperability and spectrum superiority will decide victories in future near-peer conflicts.

Whoever owns the electromagnetic spectrum owns the battlefield.

That’s why nearly 500 electronic warfare leaders from the United States, Australia and — for the first time — the United Kingdom gathered at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, March 11-13 for the 52nd annual Collaborative Electronic Warfare Symposium.

The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division and the Association of Old Crows jointly host the annual symposium under a co-sponsorship agreement. The event focuses on collaboration and innovation in EW, uniting government and industry partners worldwide.

Policies and Platforms Risk EW Static

One of the biggest challenges in coalition EW is getting different nations and services to operate seamlessly in the EMS. Without standardized doctrines, aligned classification standards and compatible technological platforms, coalition operations risk becoming disjointed.

Bottom line: Coalition forces shouldn’t encounter more static from their own policies than from their adversaries.

Coalition EW Steps Up for Near-Peer Showdown

This year's theme, “Coalition EW in Near-Peer Conflict,” explored interoperability across coalition EW operations, from ground and airstrike to naval combat, in a classified setting. Symposium co-chairs David Wood and Thomas Bluhm, NAWCWD’s lead event planners, guided discussions on enhancing coalition readiness for near-peer conflicts.

This year’s symposium brought together everyone from four one-star military officers and civilian specialists to young professionals in the Engineer and Scientist Development Program.

“Effective coalition EW requires alignment at every level, from senior leadership down to junior warfighters and support personnel,” Bluhm said.

One Team's Mission to Unite Three Nations

Two years of policy hurdles. Classification roadblocks. Endless coordination challenges.

Dave Mohler, NAWCWD’s Airborne Electronic Attack International Programs lead, and his team overcame them all with one clear mission: bring the United Kingdom into the EW conversation alongside the United States and Australia.

“Our International Programs team is made up of highly specialized and dedicated professionals,' Mohler explained. 'It wouldn’t have been possible without my international policy analysts, security specialists, and foreign contact officers”

Mohler coordinated with senior Navy and Department of Defense officials to expand the previously bilateral U.S.-Australia symposium, held since 2015, to include the UK.

Bringing the UK into the fold was critical, as AUKUS enables deeper coalition collaboration.

Established in 2021, AUKUS initially focused on nuclear-powered submarines. Its second pillar prioritized collaborative defense capabilities, including EW — creating the opportunity Mohler needed.

“This was not a simple or easy task,” Bluhm said. “Mr. Mohler and his team worked through many denials and hurdles to secure approvals for this first-ever tri-national Collaborative EW Symposium.”

Mohler emphasized why this expanded partnership matters.

“More than ever, we must acknowledge that the wars of tomorrow will not be deterred, nor fought, alone,” Mohler stressed. “This is the first step toward understanding how we operate together and identifying areas where we can cooperatively develop solutions for the warfighter.”

Thanks to Mohler’s efforts, the three nations now have a clear framework for deeper cooperation, making AUKUS a blueprint for dominating the EMS.

Why Point Mugu Still Leads the EW Fight

For the first trilateral event focused on dominating the invisible fight, you go where history has proven itself — a quiet naval base along California’s coast: Point Mugu.

In April 1951, Cmdr. Clifton Evans Jr. established the Countermeasure-Interference Division, creating the Navy’s first dedicated EW capability — a visionary move that was decades ahead of its time. More than 70 years later, pioneering foresight keeps Point Mugu at the forefront of EW, laying the groundwork critical to coalition EW in the age of near-peer threats.

“In the 74 years since, spectrum warfare technologies have grown exponentially,” Bluhm said. “Denying adversaries the use of their radars, communications and navigation signals while ensuring our coalition allies maintain resilient and effective spectrum operations is best done with our trusted allies.”

With Point Mugu’s legacy established, the focus shifts to next-generation technologies allies are leveraging to close EW capability gaps.

How AUKUS Allies Are Closing the EW Gap

The symposium showcased next-generation EW technologies from government and industry partners across the three AUKUS nations. Highlights included advanced directed energy weapons, such as high-power microwave systems, and compact, low-cost SWaP jammers delivering high performance. Attendees also explored radar alternatives and innovative command-and-control systems for EMS operations.

On day two, gray skies and periodic rain greeted attendees at the Station Theater for the symposium’s strategic panel.

Moderated by Bluhm, the panel featured U.K. Royal Air Force Air Commodore Blythe Crawford, commandant of the Air and Space Warfare Centre; Australian Air Commodore Peter Robinson, commander of Air Combat Group; and NAWCWD’s director of research and development, Harlan Kooima.

“The U.K. delegation is delighted to be attending the Collaborative EW symposium at Point Mugu alongside our U.S., Australian and industry partners,” Crawford remarked. With a smile, he noted that the weather reminded him of his hometown in Lincolnshire, England.

He went on to highlight the strategic importance of the trilateral partnership.

“If we are to fight together, then we need to leverage each other’s technologies, methodologies and processes for spectrum management,” Crawford explained. “We all have discrete expertise in EW. Collaborative approaches are essential if we are to prevail as partners in any future fight.”

Each nation brings powerful EW platforms to the table: the U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler, with its precision jamming; the Royal Australian Air Force E-7 Wedgetail, an airborne early warning system with vast range; and the U.K. Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon, armed with the advanced Praetorian Defensive Aids Sub-System.

Even the best tools fail if they’re not speaking the same language. Disparate systems and upgrade cycles complicate joint tactics, letting adversaries exploit gaps with advanced jamming and spectrum denial.

The U.S.-Australia Next-Generation Jammer, deployed in 2024 with significant Australian investment, provides a proven model for coalition EW synergy and interoperability, demonstrating how allies can eliminate vulnerabilities in the spectrum fight.

AUKUS Shifts from Blueprint to Battlefield

Tight coordination is critical in the congested and contested EMS. Without it, coalition forces risk accidental interference — a self-inflicted jam session.

Robinson sees the symposium as AUKUS in action, turning high-level strategy into concrete, battlefield-ready capabilities.

“AUKUS calls for the three countries to work together to share an understanding of the tools, techniques and technology to enable our forces to operate in contested and degraded EW environments,” Robinson explained.

He noted they’ve moved beyond philosophical debates toward aligning policy, doctrine and joint operational planning—a critical step as threats rapidly evolve.

And the coalition isn’t wasting any time. One example is already moving from concept to reality.

“In 2025, under AUKUS, we’ll conduct a tri-nation EW experiment focused on hypersonic threats and adversarial AI-driven spectrum denial,” Kooima said. “We’ll test new countermeasures and share the playbook.”

Together, the three nations will practice defending against advanced missiles and AI-powered signal jamming designed to disrupt communication and radar systems.

But Kooima believes the coalition needs something even more targeted to tackle the Indo-Pacific’s unique EW threats.

“I’d push for AUKUS-specific wargames — tabletop and live-fly — that pit us against AI-driven EW threats in Indo-Pacific conditions,” Kooima recommended. “These venues build muscle memory and trust we’ll need in a real fight.”

What a $25 Balloon Taught Us About War

Sometimes, war isn’t won by how much you spend. It’s won by how much it costs your adversary.

Crawford highlighted a powerful lesson from Ukraine: A simple $25 balloon drifting into Russian airspace baited missiles worth enough to buy a garage full of high-end Ferraris — proving how low-cost ingenuity can deflate multimillion-dollar air defense systems.

“While we initially perceived Russia as having an advantage, Ukraine showed us the spectrum is wide open for innovation,” Crawford noted.

He also emphasized another issue revealed by the Ukraine conflict: Modern warfare rapidly exhausts weapon supplies, and the coalition’s industrial base isn’t yet equipped to swiftly replenish expensive weapons. Disposable, inexpensive systems can bridge this critical gap.

The Spectrum Isn't a Side Mission — It's The Mission

As the symposium concluded, one theme emerged: Victory in EW demands advanced jammers with pulse-by-pulse agility, near-instant waveform adaptation and coalition teams operating in concert like an elite orchestra.

“This symposium proved one thing: All three nations face the same challenges with respect to future threats and our exploitation of the EMS,” Crawford said.

Robinson went even deeper, pointing to history. Shared values may build alliances, but winning in the EMS demands clear strategy, tight coordination and constant adaptation.

“Australia is blessed to hold the deep relationships we have with the United States and the United Kingdom. Each of our nations has a history of fighting for the values we share. We will fight together again,” Robinson said. “A key part of our success or failure in future conflicts will come down to our ability to win the battle in the EMS.”

For Mohler, this symposium capped years of effort uniting the three nations under AUKUS. And it’s only the beginning.

“Going forward, this event will continue to serve as a platform for the AUKUS partners to gather and drive successful outcomes for the coalition in the years to come,” Mohler concluded.

Kooima envisions a future where AUKUS partners share real-time intelligence, standardize tactical training and rapidly innovate next-generation technologies like quantum computing, artificial intelligence and advanced EW.

“It’s about trust, tech and tempo,” Kooima said. “Get those right, and we’ll outmatch any near-peer coalition.”

Yes, AUKUS is an agreement. But it’s also the strategic frequency coalition forces must tune into to dominate the spectrum fight.

The “Dust Devils” of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron VX-31 held a change of command ceremony March 6 at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. 

A cool desert breeze greeted about 300 friends, family and local officials who watched two F/A-18F Super Hornets fly overhead. The aircraft bore the squadron’s iconic Dust Devils logo on their tails as Cmdr. Christopher “Murdock” Putre, U.S. Navy, and Lt. Col. Timothy “Little Buddy” Burchett, U.S. Marine Corps, read their orders over the radio. Their transmissions boomed from speakers on the flight line, capturing a dramatic midair transfer of leadership. 

“Little Buddy, you have the lead. Assume the callsign Devil One,” Putre said, handing over flight authority from his cockpit. 

When the jets landed, fire trucks formed a water-arch salute for Putre’s final flight as commanding officer. He also received a traditional wetting down from his wife and three young children using a water extinguisher. This highlighted the personal and time-honored aspects of naval aviation culture. 

Following the flight line celebration, the ceremony moved inside the new hangar, where sideboys piped Putre ashore to mark his tour’s end.  

VX-31 is part of Naval Test Wing Pacific under Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. It is a hub for evaluating new aircraft, weapons and systems before they reach the fleet. It also operates a dedicated search and rescue detachment skilled at conducting high-altitude rescues in the rugged terrain of the R-2508 Special Use Airspace Complex, which covers more than 20,000 square miles in southern California. 

Putre, a native of Wahiawa, Hawaii, led VX-31 through the aftermath of the 2019 earthquakes that damaged facilities and forced the team into makeshift workspaces. 

Recently, the Dust Devils returned to normal operations in a newly built, modern hangar while meeting rigorous test schedules for the AV-8B Harrier, the F/A-18C/D Hornet, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the EA-18G Growler. They also evaluated advanced weapons including the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range and the Joint Standoff Weapon. 

“I am most proud of seeing VX-31 come full circle after being knocked on our heels by the earthquakes,” Putre said. “It has been nothing short of incredible and is a tribute to the herculean efforts of countless people across NAWCWD with the enthusiastic support of the state of California.” 

Putre now departs for an assignment with Naval Test Wing Pacific Detachment at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, exchanging one desert environment for another. 

Capt. David Halpern, U.S. Navy, commodore of Naval Test Wing Pacific, applauded Putre’s leadership. 

“Commander Putre successfully guided the Dust Devils through a demanding period, building a cohesive team that overcame every challenge,” Halpern said. “Now we welcome Lt. Col. Burchett, a seasoned Marine officer with extensive fleet and test experience and a familiar face here at VX-31. The squadron benefits from our strong Navy-Marine Corps partnership.” 

Burchett, who previously served as VX-31’s chief test pilot, also flew with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 and worked in the F-35 Joint Program Office. He is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, holds a master’s degree in aerospace engineering and has accumulated more than 1,700 flight hours in more than 30 types of aircraft. 

“The Navy and United States’ ability to prevail in the next war will largely depend on what we do in this hangar,” Burchett said. 

The ceremony included a powerful a cappella rendition of the national anthem by Electronics Technician Senior Chief (FMF/AW) David Olson. A brass quintet from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, also performed, adding to the formality and tradition of the event. 

“Having a chance to lead the personnel who are accomplishing critical missions is the greatest honor of my life,” Burchett said. “Our success depends on integrity, respect and accountability among uniformed members, government civilians and contractors alike.” 

The briefing room at Nellis Air Force Base hums with conversation as F-35 pilots review their latest mission debriefs. At the front of the room, Tamika Richardson listens closely, her hands resting on her laptop, prepared to take notes. She isn’t just here to observe—she’s here to refine and improve the mission data that keeps these pilots safe in combat. 

The mission data files (MDFs) her team develops are crucial. Without them, the F-35’s advanced systems wouldn’t be able to identify threats, distinguish friend from foe, or adapt to evolving battlefield conditions. Every keystroke she makes contributes to a warfighter’s situational awareness, survivability, and success. 

“Hearing directly from the warfighter—that’s the best part,” Richardson says. “Knowing that what we do keeps them safe and mission-ready? That’s what makes this work so rewarding.” 

Now, her dedication to warfighter readiness and engineering excellence has earned her a spotlight during Engineer Week 2025. Her work in mission data programming, system validation, and rapid reprogramming capabilities is helping shape the future of warfighter readiness. 

An Engineer’s Mission: Supporting the F-35 Warfighter 

Richardson serves as a systems engineer at the F-35 United States Reprogramming Laboratory (USRL) at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Her role ensures that mission data files (MDFs) for the U.S. and allied forces remain accurate, responsive, and adaptive to the latest intelligence threats. These files serve as the aircraft’s brain, allowing pilots to identify threats, navigate operational environments, and enhance survivability in contested airspace. 

She began her career as a mission data engineer, developing state-of-the-art MDFs for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. After earning her master’s degree in systems engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, she transitioned to a liaison systems engineering role, ensuring software tools for MDF production meet operational needs. 

“The key to improving our tools is making sure they work the way warfighters need them—not just how they’re designed on paper,” Richardson explains. “If we get intelligence about a new threat, we need to integrate it into mission data in days, not weeks. That’s a game-changer.” 

Her work extends beyond mission data itself—she was a critical voice in refining the Common Reprogramming Tool (CRT), a $175 million software initiative aimed at accelerating mission data development. 

Delivering Critical Capabilities on an Accelerated Timeline 

In 2024, Richardson was part of the NAWCWD team that delivered a crucial F-35 MDF update to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). The accelerated timeline ensured the squadron had mission-critical data before deployment, enhancing combat readiness in theater. 

She recalls how unforeseen IT challenges and data validation requirements required swift action and coordination to keep the project on schedule. “When issues arise, making sure they’re addressed quickly is key,” she says. “Our team worked hard to ensure there were no delays in getting the data to the Fleet.” 

The challenges weren’t just technical. The urgency of the update meant that the team had to work across multiple time zones, coordinating with intelligence analysts, software developers, and military leaders to ensure the data was accurate and fully tested. Failure wasn’t an option. 

Balancing Engineering, Military Service, and Mentorship 

Beyond her role at NAWCWD, Richardson is a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force Reserves, where she recently completed cyber warfare training. She has worked on critical network defense operations, supporting a $1.3 billion Air Force Intranet Control (AFIN C) Weapons System. 

The ability to switch between roles—engineer, cyber warfare specialist, mentor—requires adaptability. She attributes much of her success to time management and discipline, skills that allow her to balance the high demands of her career and military service. 

She is also passionate about mentoring future engineers, having guided over 900 students across 14 universities, including Tuskegee University, Alabama A&M, and Florida State. 

“A lot of students don’t realize that careers like this exist,” she says. “If I can help even one person see their potential in engineering, that’s a win.” 

For Richardson, mentorship isn’t just about guiding students—it’s about giving them confidence in their abilities. She vividly remembers her own early career moments, feeling uncertain about whether she belonged in such a technical field. Now, she helps others navigate those same challenges with confidence. 

Overcoming Challenges & Leading the Way 

Richardson credits mentors and hands-on experience for helping her navigate the technical and leadership demands of her career. Early on, she had to advocate for her ideas, prove her expertise, and adapt to an ever-changing defense landscape. 

“I focused on being prepared, staying confident, and making sure my work spoke for itself,” she says. “You have to be adaptable, but you also have to trust your skills.” 

Now, as she balances motherhood, military service, and engineering, she continues to push forward with determination and a focus on mission success. 

Designing the Future: Advice to the Next Generation 

“Find a mentor who you aspire to be like because they can help with networking and building your career foundation,” she says. “I would tell them to aim for the sky and not box themselves in, but challenge themselves by going beyond what they thought they could do. To not quit when the going gets tough, because every day is not going to be sunshine—but after the storm, a rainbow appears.” 

Richardson’s work isn’t just about technology—it’s about impact. Whether she’s developing mission data, improving cyber defenses, or mentoring future engineers, her influence is shaping the future of warfighter readiness and innovation. 

For the fifth consecutive year, the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division at China Lake has led the Naval Air Systems Command’s Mentor of the Year program with the highest number of nominations—10 this year.

Henry Frohlich, department head of Weapons Systems Procurement, is the 2024 winner for China Lake, making this the procurement group's second winner in the past three years.

“I thought it was a joke,” Frohlich said. “I was on travel in D.C. and received a text saying that I had won. So, I sent some texts and made a couple of calls, and I found out it was true!”

Frohlich began his career with NAWCWD in 2010 as a contract specialist and, within a few short years, worked his way up to contracting officer on the procurement team.

Throughout his career, he has been known for offering not just professional guidance but also personal support. Frohlich believes that getting to know those you mentor on a personal basis can have the greatest impact.

“I think getting to know people, their goals, and what they like to do can really make mentoring easy and a positive way to help people.”

The overarching goal of mentoring is to provide mentees with the tools to become better versions of themselves, both in their work and personal lives.

Within the organization, there are many different ways one can mentor, both formally and informally, which Frohlich has demonstrated throughout his career.

For the last three years, Frohlich was a PaaL coach, a program that transitioned to Leadership EDGE. He continues to mentor first-time coaches so they can eventually lead their own groups.

He provides ongoing career planning advice to help colleagues reach their professional goals. Whether it’s a move or a rotation within the organization, Frohlich encourages them to take on additional responsibilities and more complex work to improve their technical skills.

Upon identifying a gap in leadership training and mentoring for journey-level employees—since not everyone can participate in or commit to JLDP/NLDP-type programs—Frohlich launched a book club called the Procurement Leadership Forum. The first book selection was Extreme Ownership by former Navy SEAL Jocko Willink.

As a result, 10 to 30 teammates read the book on their own time and then attended biweekly leadership discussions to apply its principles to their teams and themselves.

“We just started Season 2 of the PLF and are reading the book When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing,” Frohlich said.

Mentoring comes naturally to Frohlich, but he attributes his success to his own mentors.

“Having Deputy Director for the Procurement Group Sandra [Scharns-Stevens] as a mentor, who herself won this award just a couple of years ago, really helped me develop and want to challenge myself to be a great mentor,” Frohlich said.

“Henry is keenly aware of each of his teammates’ strengths,” wrote Stevens, who nominated Frohlich.

“When a teammate needs mentoring, Henry pairs personnel in a mentorship relationship, promoting a mentoring culture and improving work products and efficiency,” Stevens said.

Frohlich’s mentorship expands beyond the procurement group, enhancing organizational awareness across the command.

He established a six-week, 14-topic course, with presenters from across the procurement group offering professional development opportunities and increasing overall organizational awareness for participants.

Frohlich’s nomination package highlighted a participant who shared that these investments would have a direct impact on their ability to collaborate in the future.

Another mentor who had an impact on Frohlich was Collin Kyte, director of the Weapons Systems Procurement Group.

“Having an attrition rate drop from 27% to just 3% in five years shows that what he is doing is working,” Frohlich said.

He added, “Collin has a genuine care for helping people be the best that they can be, and that’s what it takes to be a good mentor.”

Frohlich advocates for mentoring and encourages those who may not have considered it to step into mentorship and coaching roles.

If you want to become a mentor or be mentored, Frohlich’s advice is to reach out to your leadership. “Whether it is your immediate supervisor or someone who works close to you, there is always going to be someone available to help.”

Frohlich is excited to see how NAWCWD will grow with the leadership courses available and hopes to see the organization continue to lead mentorship efforts within NAVAIR.