FTCN Replay: Changing of the Guard at AOC

In the latest episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller sits down with Anthony (Tony) Lisuzzo, the President-Elect of the Association of Old Crows (AOC), for an insightful discussion about his career, the state of electromagnetic warfare and the future of the AOC.

Tony, a retired Senior Executive Service (SES) member from the Department of Defense and US Army, brings over 40 years of experience in electronic warfare (EW) and spectrum operations. Currently serving as the President and CEO of Iron Wave Technologies, Tony’s journey reflects a deep connection to both government service and private industry, giving him a unique perspective on the challenges ahead.

A Journey Through Electronic Warfare
Tony recounted his long and storied career in the EW domain, dating back to 1980. He began with the ALQ-162, a Navy-funded program and eventually transitioned into leadership roles that shaped Army electronic warfare capabilities. As the former Director of the Intelligence and Information Warfare Directorate, Tony witnessed a transformative period during the War on Iraq, where EW became a vital part of US Army operations.

“I’ve been involved with EW in every aspect since I started in the government… It’s been a great career,” Tony shared, emphasizing the importance of staying agile and continuously evolving to keep pace with emerging threats.

Tony’s work in countering IED threats during that time highlighted the need for rapid reaction capabilities. His belief that “you defeat one threat, and another evolves in its place” serves as a reminder of the ever-changing nature of electronic warfare, requiring constant innovation.

The Complexity of Modern EMSO
Ken and Tony also discussed the growing complexity of electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO) and its evolution from a binary understanding of defeating threats to a more nuanced field involving latency, decision-making and data manipulation.

“It’s not about just defeating the threat anymore,” Ken remarked, “It’s about creating uncertainty in the enemy’s decision-making process.”

Tony agreed, elaborating on the chaotic and fast-paced nature of modern warfare. As he put it, “The spectrum is constantly shifting and we need to stay ahead of the game.”

Bridging Government and Industry
Tony’s transition to industry after his retirement from federal service gave him a unique vantage point on the collaboration between the Department of Defense and the industrial base. He stressed the importance of rapid development and deployment of new technologies to meet the needs of warfighters in the field.

“The traditional way of developing against a particular threat no longer works—we don’t have the luxury of time,” Tony explained. He highlighted the need for quick reaction capabilities, ensuring that new solutions reach the field before the threat can evolve.

The Future of AOC
As Tony prepares to take on the role of AOC President in December, he outlined his key priorities for the next two years. These include strengthening education efforts, particularly in STEM, to cultivate the next generation of EW talent and enhancing collaboration between industry, academia, and government.

“We really need to be a team,” Tony emphasized. “Educating leadership, both in the Department of Defense and Congress, is critical to making sure we’re prepared for the challenges ahead.”

Ken echoed the importance of this, especially as AOC continues to engage with Congress on key issues affecting the future of EW and EMSO.

Looking Ahead to AOC 2024
As the conversation wrapped up, Ken and Tony looked ahead to AOC 2024, the International Symposium and Convention happening this December in National Harbor, Maryland. With a theme centered on Electromagnetic Spectrum Warfare and the Great Power Competition, this event promises to be a major platform for discussing the future of EMSO.

“It’s going to be an exciting event,” Tony said. “We’ll be looking at next-generation capabilities and fostering collaboration with international partners.”

With Tony at the helm, AOC looks poised to continue its mission of advancing the understanding and application of electronic warfare and spectrum operations.

From the Crows’ Nest continues to provide critical insights and thought leadership in the EMSO space. Be sure to subscribe for future episodes and stay tuned for special coverage from AOC 2024 in December. Find out more at aocconvention.org.

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