2024 AOC Award Winners
Every year AOC recognizes individuals and units for their outstanding performance in furthering the aims of the association 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!
Prestige Awards
AOC Gold Medal Award
Paul J. Westcott
Awarded for unwavering support and dedication to the Association and the art and science of electromagnetic warfare. Paul's contributions to technology and the AOC, spanning over 60 years, are unsurpassed.
Hal Gershanoff Silver Medal Award
Lisa Frugé-Cirilli
Awarded for over 25 years of service to AOC and the community, promoting, advocating for, and educating about EMS awareness. Lisa is a driving force for both AOC and the Dixie Crow Chapter, having served as Chapter President, AOC President, Dixie Crow Symposium chair, and AOC Annual Symposium Chair, as well as serving on numerous committees at both the chapter and AOC board level. She also leads the modernization of the Dixie Crow Chapter’s Electronic Air Force Exhibit at the Robins AFB Museum of Aviation.
Hal Gershanoff Silver Medal Award - International
Dr. Sue Robertson
Awarded for over thirty years of service and dedication to the community and AOC by continually promoting its mission and objectives. Dr. Robertson has been at the very core of AOC’s activities and membership, continually improving the infrastructure and international relations that have shaped the organization into what it is today. Sue continues to lead the international EW community, inspiring and guiding generations of EW professionals who will follow her. She embodies what an AOC member can contribute and accomplish in furthering the advancement of EW and AOC.
Anton D. "Tony" Brees Lifetime Service Award
George Morris
During his career as a principal architect of the Guardrail/Common Sensor system and the next generation of Army airborne SIGINT systems, George Morris distinguished himself not only as a great engineer but also as a friend to many, encouraging them to persevere in the face of adversity and bureaucratic red tape. He is one of the reasons why the drive for excellence in SIGINT and EW, which is the cornerstone of AOC philosophy, will continue into the future.
AOC Technology Hall of Fame Award
Michael Clement
Served 24 years of active duty in the USAF. His work included EW operational support for B-52, U-2 Ground Link, and AMC C-130 series aircraft. He served multiple tours of duty in combat areas, including Desert Shield/Storm and Iraqi Freedom. Mr. Clement’s efforts in the EW, modeling/simulation, and EO/IR communities continue to provide the Warfighter with real-world survivability and superior defensive capabilities across multiple systems and aircraft platforms.
AOC Technology Hall of Fame Award
Louis Ludwig
As principal architect of the Guardian/Common Sensor system and the Army’s next-generation SIGINT system, George distinguished himself not only as a great engineer but also as a resolute problem solver. Mr. Morris has authored numerous AOC conference papers, and his work at both the chapter and national levels has few peers.
Joseph W. Kearney Pioneer Award
Stacey Mervyn
Awarded for pioneering leadership in electronic warfare, significantly advancing the field through the innovative development of the Joint EMS Warfare Integration Center (JEMSWIC) and advanced analytics.
John M. Clifford Award for the Advancement of the Electromagnetic Domain Award
Dr. David C. Stoudt
Awarded for outstanding and dedicated advocacy and leadership in electromagnetic warfare and electromagnetic spectrum operations.
John M. Clifford Award for the Advancement of the Electromagnetic Domain Award - International
Dr. Thomas J. Withington
Awarded for his advocacy, education, and communication regarding electromagnetic warfare and electromagnetic spectrum operations as an ambassador for AOC in the international arena.
Community Awards
Engineering and Technical Excellence Award
Steven Milz. USAF
Awarded for his immeasurable and enduring impact on the U.S. Air Force and the electromagnetic warfare community. His revolutionary software capabilities have enabled reprogramming centers to provide world-class support to joint warfighters.
Project Team of the Year Award
Joint Electromagnetic Warfare Center (JEWC)
Awarded for efforts culminating in the DOD's first-ever electromagnetic spectrum operations assessment and establishing baselines for future analytic efforts. The operational assessment drove capability planning guidance to close capability gaps across the DOD. Completion of this 18-month study solidifies USSTRATCOM's role as DOD's EMSO operational lead.
EW Professional Outstanding Young Crow Award
Matthew Copeland
Awarded for demonstrating initiative in the electromagnetic warfare domain by developing capabilities for the warfighter and improving their Technology Readiness Level (TRL) through modeling and simulation (M&S), hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) testing, and field testing.
EW Professional Outstanding Young Crow Award
SGT Anthony Whitten, USA
Awarded for outstanding achievement supporting the 10th Mountain Division 2nd Brigade Combat Team’s cyber and electromagnetic activities. SGT Whitten’s dedication to duty, selfless service, loyalty, and respect for soldiers greatly contributed to mission success. His outstanding performance is in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflects credit upon himself, the 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, the 10th Mountain Division, and the United States Army.
Professional Outstanding Achievement Award
Nicole Perry
Awarded for her contributions to the development of complex electromagnetic warfare hardware, software, and firmware for legacy electromagnetic warfare weapon systems and advanced technology electromagnetic warfare platforms.
Chapter Flow-Up Awards
Academic and Educational Excellence Award
Dr. Philip E. Pace
Awarded for educating and mentoring countless professionals, as well as distinguishing himself in the areas of receiver design, signal processing, electromagnetic warfare, and weapon systems analysis.
Academic and Educational Excellence Award - International
Professor David Stupples
Awarded for distinguishing himself through thought leadership in a wide variety of electromagnetic warfare disciplines. As a professor in satellite reconnaissance and surveillance, he has mentored countless electromagnetic warfare professionals in academia, industry, and the military throughout the world.
Outstanding Chapter Support
David Brown
Awarded for extraordinary volunteer work with the Dixie Crow Chapter. He served as both Program Chair and Social Chair for the chapter, and last year, David was the Dixie Crow Chapter’s top recruiter. High energy is his trademark.
Outstanding Chapter Support
Paul Kennedy
Awarded for outstanding support of the Chesapeake Bay Roost Chapter, serving as both Awards Chair and Scholarship Chair.
Military Awards
Military Service Award — Air Force
1st Lt Ryan Chen, USAF
Awarded for leadership in key exercises and EMSO projects that rapidly advanced electromagnetic warfare capabilities, reducing mission data delivery time, improving operational efficiency, and boosting survivability, thereby significantly impacting warfighter readiness and effectiveness.
Military Service Award — Army
CPT Marquel Campbell, USA
Awarded for excellence in raising electromagnetic warfare awareness across the 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade and Security Force Assistance Command. CPT Campbell's actions directly enhanced the Advisors' ability to survive, fight, and dominate on the modern battlefield.
Military Service Award — Navy
AG2 Harpreet Kaur Jassal, USN
Awarded for demonstrating the utility of non-kinetic effects against Houthi weaponry and leading an evolution in warfare tactics, techniques, and procedures.
Military Service Award — Army National Guard
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Torre, ARNG
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Torre distinguished himself as the Army National Guard (ARNG) Multidomain Activities (MDAD) Cyberspace Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) Branch Chief. In this role, he advised leadership on electromagnetic warfare (EW) capability gaps in both force structure and equipment, significantly increasing ARNG EW readiness and providing mentorship to EW personnel across the entire ARNG. His influence reaches across all three components, and he is a trusted and sought-after member of the Army’s EW community.
Military Service Award - Space Force
Maj Adam Beck, USSF
Awarded for efforts culminating in the DOD's first-ever EMS operations assessment, which establishes baselines for future analytic efforts. This operational assessment drove capability planning guidance to address capability gaps across the DOD. The completion of this 18-month study solidifies USSTRATCOM's role as the DOD's EMSO operational lead.
Military Unit Excellence Award
350th Spectrum Warfare Wing Detachment 1
The members of the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing Detachment 1 (350 SWW Det 1) have introduced significant capabilities and processes that have added value to the EW community. 350 SWW Det 1 is establishing the 950th Spectrum Warfare Group and three new EW squadrons at Robins AFB, Georgia, to conduct EW tests, evaluations, and assessments for the USAF.
Military Individual Excellence Award
CPT David Lewis Moore, USA
Awarded for exceptional contributions to electromagnetic warfare and electromagnetic spectrum operations, CPT David Moore’s leadership and expertise enhanced mission effectiveness and readiness, reflecting the highest standards of military service and embodying excellence.
Outstanding Unit Award - Air Force
55th Wing (ACC)
The 55th Wing distinguished itself from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023. During this period, the 55th Wing identified solutions to critical electromagnetic warfare vulnerabilities for Air Combat Command, Pacific Air Forces, and United States Indo-Pacific Command by securing $10 million in test funding for Information Operations Tactics Improvement Proposals to address anti-access area denial threats, fortifying Joint All Domain Command and Control capabilities during exercise NORTHERN EDGE, and identifying and rectifying an emissions control shortfall in United States Southern Command. Additionally, the 55th Wing enhanced electromagnetic warfare awareness and training by briefing the Secretary of the Air Force on EA-378 capabilities, resulting in the acceleration of $80 million in congressional funding toward combating the National Defense Strategy's number one threat, guiding three joint/coalition exercises testing two Air Combat Command Top Ten tactics proposals, and leading the planning and execution of NORTHERN EDGE, which validated the roles of the RC-135 and EC-130 in future conflicts. Finally, the unit successfully employed electromagnetic
warfare capabilities during three Secretary of the Air Force-directed rapid deployment taskings, mobilizing six aircraft and 186 personnel across three Combatant Commands, mitigating risks to 62 Joint Task Force assets and 250 personnel while executing short-notice missions in support of national-level objectives. The distinctive accomplishments of the 55th Wing reflect great credit upon itself and the United States Air Force.
Outstanding Unit Award - Air Force
57th Intelligence Squadron, 363rd Intelligence, Surveillance, and
Reconnaissance Wing (ACC)
The 57th Intelligence Squadron distinguished itself within the 365th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group, 363d Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing, 16th Air Force, Air Combat Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023. The 57th IS employs 22 electronic signals analysts who are responsible for the characterization of one-third of worldwide emitters, compared to over 740 other analysts who maintain the rest of the world. During this past year, the unit increased intelligence reporting production by 40%, spurring 626 updates to 36 allied countries' orders of battle and reducing fratricide risk for 4,500 allied pilots. They also liaised with ACC to craft two memorandums that codified Blue, White, and Gray dispositions, which increased the unit's mission footprint tenfold. Their technical analysis team overhauled its training program to support this mission expansion with two on-the-job training pathways, which trained Airmen 60% sooner. This led to the squadron authoring the first 5th generation combat aircraft intelligence report, informing DOD mission planning for 1.8 million annual flight hours. The impact was immediately felt, as the team was able to certify 71% more analysts to support theaters in conflict and reduce the analytical backlog from 229 emitters down to 35, smashing the standard and equating to a 393% increase in annual production. The distinctive accomplishments of the 57th Intelligence Squadron reflect great credit upon themselves and the United States Air Force.
Outstanding Unit Award - Air Force
Advanced Threat Replication Flight, 53d Test Support Squadron (ACC)
Advanced Threat Replication Flight distinguished themselves within the 53d Test Support Squadron, 53d Weapons Evaluation Group, 53d Wing, Air Combat Command, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. During this period, the Advanced Threat Replication Flight collaborated with the Georgia Technical Research Institute and the E-3 community. Together, they built an organic jamming system for Tyndall's first successful command and control electromagnetic management requirement, resolving a two-year, $45-million asset grounding issue. Additionally, the flight's electromagnetic warfare specialists designed and tested over 500 points for 16 subscale aerial target ground mounts and flight tests, uncovering seven critical findings on multiple drone subsystems. The team analyzed six firmware releases, leading to the development of 150 operations across three organizations, resulting in the sustainment of a $12-million drone upgrade program. Furthermore, their avionics and engineering team dedicated over 200 hours to revamping a training program for all assigned personnel, reducing average qualification times by 30 percent. Jointly, they completed 26 projects, increasing test asset performance on 161 threat replicative systems during nine weapons systems evaluations, ensuring adversary realism for 281 pilots across 17 test missions, and supporting a $52-million missile upgrade program. Finally, the Advanced Threat Replication Flight overhauled 42 air-to-air jamming techniques for 467 test sorties across six mission design series, enhancing threat realism for two large force exercises, evaluating 134 live-fire missiles, and eliminating a one-year schedule slip for a Department of Defense operational test. The distinctive accomplishments of the Advanced Threat Replication Flight reflect credit upon themselves and the United States Air Force.
Outstanding Unit Award - Army
2nd MDEB
The 2d Multi-Domain Effects Battalion has proven itself to be a transformative force in the U.S. Army’s approach to modern warfare. Through unparalleled innovation, operational excellence, and seamless integration of electromagnetic warfare and cyber operations, 2d MDEB has consistently delivered decisive effects that shape the future battlefield. Its relentless commitment to advancing multi-domain capabilities, strengthening NATO alliances, and supporting partners like Ukraine has not only fortified U.S. defense posture but also elevated the battalion as a benchmark for all future multi-domain operations units. The cutting-edge tactics, techniques, and technologies pioneered by 2d MDEB are revolutionizing how the Army and its allies conduct operations in cyberspace.
Outstanding Unit Award - Army
75th RMIB
The Regimental Military Intelligence Battalion (RMIB) 75th Ranger Regiment demonstrated outstanding performance in FY24, furthering the training and operationalization of electromagnetic warfare and cyberspace operations in support of joint special operations and the U.S. Army. The RMIB remained continuously deployed supporting the joint force and our allies across the globe. The 75h Ranger Regiments ability to see, sense, and understand our adversaries through innovative mission planning and execution demonstrates the merit of the RMIB for recognition as the 2024 Association of Old Crows Outstanding U.S. Army Operational Unit.
Outstanding Unit Award - Navy (Sea)
USS MCFAUL (DDG-74)
USS McFaul’s electromagnetic warfare team demonstrated superb domination of the electromagnetic spectrum during their 5th and 6th Fleet deployments, where their EM spectrum knowledge added to U.S. efforts to ensure the safe flow of international commerce.
Outstanding Unit Award - Navy (Air)
Electronic Attack Squadron ONE THREE ZERO (VAQ-130)
During combat operations in the Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility, the Zappers were critical to the success of the joint operations of Operation YUKON LIGHTNING, providing the only airborne electronic attack in theater.
Outstanding Unit Award - Navy (Shore)
Naval Information Warfighting Development Center (NIWDC)
NIWDC executed adept electromagnetic warfare support for the in-theater U.S. Navy ships before, during, and after combat operations in the Red Sea. The workforce captured every opportunity to exercise tactical acumen, enhanced by their vast electromagnetic warfare expertise.