Association of Old Crows - Award Recipients 2020
Every year the AOC recognizes individuals and units for their outstanding performance in furthering the aims of the Association of Old Crows in support of the United States or Allied Electronic Warfare (EW), Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO), Cyber-Electromagnetic Activity (CEMA), and Information Operations (IO).
Please join us in celebrating this year’s award winners for their exemplary service to our community!
GROUP ONE – AOC PRESTIGE
AOC Gold Metal Medal Award
The Gold Medal is the AOC’s highest and most prestigious award. It is presented to a senior U.S. or International Government, Military or Industry official in recognition of outstanding and dedicated service to promote and advance the discipline of Electronic Warfare.
- General John Hyten, USAF
Hal Gershanoff Silver Medal Award
The Hal Gershanoff Silver Medal Award is presented to an AOC member to recognize outstanding service in furthering the goals of the Association or its Chapter Organization(s). It is the highest award given to a member for service to the AOC.
- Mr. Shigeo Kazama
Joseph W. Kearney Pioneer Award
The Joseph W. Kearney Pioneer Award recognizes an individual’s notable pioneering activities in and long service to the discipline of Electronic Warfare.
- Mr. Donald L. Belmar
Anton D. "Tony" Brees Lifetime Service Award
The Anton D. "Tony" Brees Lifetime Service Award (LSA) recognizes AOC members who have rendered exemplary sustained service to the AOC on a national or local level.
- John Clifford, OBE Wg Cdr (Retd) - Posthumously
- Lt. Col Michael “George” Arlt
- Dr. Masaaki Kobayashi
AOC Technology Hall of Fame
The Technology Hall of Fame recognizes individuals or groups of individuals who have been prime innovators in technology development and whose achievements have resulted in enhanced survivability of forces and equipment. Although focused on individuals, the Technology Hall of Fame may recognize Government, Industry or academic technology groups or units for specific aggregate technical achievements.
- Mr. Lawrence “Larry” J. Rakos
- Mr. Tor Holmboe
- Dr. Guna Seetharaman
GROUP TWO – ELECTRMAGNETIC SPECTRUM OPERATIONS (EMSO) AWARDS
A.C. McMullin Electronic Attack Award
This award recognizes outstanding specific achievement in development and/or sustained performance in application of Electronic Attack (EA) (Previously referred to as Electronic Counter Measures [ECM]) involving the use of EMS energy, Directed Energy, or anti-radiation weapons. EA is widely considered a form of fires. (See US JP 3-09, Joint Fire Support). EA includes actions taken to prevent or reduce an enemy’s effective use of the EMS, such as jamming, electromagnetic deception, and employment of weapons that use either electromagnetic or directed energy as their primary destructive mechanism (lasers, radio frequency weapons, particle beams).
- Mr. Noel Lynkew
Jerry Sowell Electronic Protect Award
The Electronic Protect Award recognizes outstanding achievement in development or application of electronic protection (Previously referred to as electronic counter-counter-measures [ECCM]). Examples of electronic protect include spectrum management, EM hardening, emission control (EMCON), and use of wartime reserve modes (WARM). EP includes actions taken to ensure friendly use of the EMS, such as frequency agility in a radio, or variable pulse repetition frequency in radar. EP should not be confused with electronic protection of standard EW systems for military platforms or electronic attack (EA).
- Capt Andrew Zimmerman, USAF
John Marks Electronic Warfare Support Award
The John Marks Electronic Warfare Support Award recognizes outstanding achievement in an operational scenario or in the development or application of electronic warfare support (ES) (Previously referred to as Electronic Support Measures [ESM]). ES involves actions tasked by, or under direct control of, an operational commander to search for, intercept, identify, and locate or localize sources of intentional and unintentional radiated EM energy for the purpose of immediate threat recognition, targeting, planning and conduct of future operations. ES can produce data for signals intelligence (SIGINT) and measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT), and/or provide targeting information for electronic or destructive attack.
- Capt Simon Paul Cooke, USAF
Electromagnetic Battle Management (EMBM) Award
The Battle Management Award recognizes individuals for meritorious and distinctive achievement in an operational military environment.
- Mr. Michael W. Akers
Jeffrey B. Jones Cyber Operations Award
The Jeffrey B. Jones Cyberspace Operations Award recognizes outstanding performance for demonstrated significant individual lifetime service in promoting, organizing, planning, and directing personnel and programs related to Cyberspace Operations. It is presented to a U.S. or International Government, Military or Industry official in recognition of outstanding and lifelong dedicated service to promote and advance the discipline of inform, persuade and influence activities. It reflects the highest standards of commitment to the welfare and the advancement of Cyberspace Operations.
- Mr. Shane Snyder
Electro-Optical/Infra-Red Award
The Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) Award recognizes outstanding achievements in development and/or sustained performance in the application of EO/IR technology.
- Mr. Kevin O’Hanlon
Spec 4 James Davis Maintenance Award
The Maintenance Award recognizes outstanding maintenance actions in support of military operations.
- SMSgt Ron Jemmott
CTTCM Clay A Conner Training Award
The Training Award recognizes exceptional performance in the development or application of Electronic Warfare training material in a formal school environment (e.g., service school, university and/or corporate training facility), or for contributing to significant advances in operational readiness through unit training programs.
- MSGT Jacob T. Miller
GROUP THREE - ELECTRMAGNETIC SPECTRUM (EMS) PROGRAM AWARDS
Stanley B. Hall Executive Management Award
The Stanley B. Hall Business Management Award recognizes outstanding performance in leading a team that is responsible for gaining, organizing, planning, and directing Electronic Warfare/Electromagnetic Spectrum personnel and programs (e.g., director or senior manager in a service laboratory, development command, test facility, operational command, program office, higher headquarter portfolio manager or senior program manager).
- Mr. Juan M. Carbonell
Clark G. Fiester Program Management Award
The Clark G. Fiester Research and Development Award recognizes outstanding performance in organizing, planning and directing Electronic Warfare personnel and programs (e.g., a project manager or test director) of electromagnetic spectrum programs.
- Mr. Jason Dirner
Integrated Product Team Award
The Integrated Product Team Award recognizes an integrated product team (IPT) for outstanding contributions to the fields of Electronic Warfare by a government and/or government & industry team. The integrated product team (IPT) should demonstrate a significant capability or process that has provided “Value Added” capability to the Electronic Warfare Community, through innovation, technology advances, processes or organizational structures.
- 755 OSS XP/OSK Capabilities Team
Test & Evaluation Award
The Test & Evaluation Awards recognizes significant advances in technology and/or procedures in the testing of Electronic Warfare systems.
- Mr. Sidney Wells
International Achievement Award
The International Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievement in enhancing communication and interaction between multiple countries in the fields of Electronic Warfare, or for outstanding contributions to the development of technology or operational capability of an international partner’s Electronic Warfare system or systems.
- Dr. Seng M. Hong
GROUP FOUR – MILITARY SERVICE
Military Service Award
The Military Service Award is for uniformed members of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and International Forces for outstanding performance in operational environments, including joint service. Multiple awards (i.e., one for each of the services) are authorized if warranted.
- Military Service Award - Air Force: Capt Alexander Shivers, USAF
- Military Service Award - Army: Maj Christopher J. Denton, USA
- Military Service Award - Coast Guard: CDR Boris Montatsky, USCG
- Military Service Award - Marine Corps: LtCOl Jason Berg, USMC
- Military Service Award - Navy: LCDR Erik Dente, USN
- Military Service Award - International: Captain Gianfranco Vizzini, Italian Navy
Outstanding Unit Awards
The Outstanding Unit Awards recognize meritorious and distinctive sustained performance by a military unit (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy and International) in advancing or exemplifying the discipline of Electronic Warfare.
- Outstanding Unit - Coast Guard: USCG/CG-2 Intelligence Directorate
- Outstanding Unit - NATO: NATO Emitter Database Advisory Group
- Outstanding Unit – Navy -Shore NIOC Colorado
- Outstanding Unit – Navy -Air USS William P. Lawrence
- Outstanding Unit Navy - Surface USS MITSCHER (DDG 57)
- Outstanding Unit - Army 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade (3SFAB)