From the Crows' Nest

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by Kevin Finch, AOC Board of Director and chair of this year’s symposium. Ken and Kevin tie together the major themes shared during this week’s presentations. Later, Ken is joined by the awardees of this year’s AOC Future Five . Each year, the AOC Foundation recognizes five young professionals as the Future 5, showcasing those who actively innovate and strive for excellence as they build their careers in electromagnetic warfare, electromagnetic spectrum operation, and information operations. Congratulations to this year's winners! We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] or visit us on our Instagram @fromthecrowsnestpodcast To learn more about AOC 2025, please visit here .

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by Day 2 Keynote Speaker Congressman Don Bacon. Congressman Bacon is Chair of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, IT and Innovation, US House of Representatives. Prior to his time in Congress, Congressman Bacon served 29 years in the US Air Force before retiring as a Brigidier General. They cover a range of topics including the congressional defense budget, the new National Security Strategy, and acquisition reform. Next, Ken is joined once again by John Knowles, Editor-in-Chief of the AOC’s Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED), for his thoughts on the Day 2 agenda that also includes sessions on Counter Drone Warfare, the requirements process, and tactical evolution in the European Theater.

In this episode of From the Crows' Nest, Ken Miller is joined by opening keynote Speaker Laurie Buckhout. Laurie is the former Assistant National Cyber Director for Policy at the White House. Together, they discuss the challenge of strengthening leadership for EMSO across the Department of War and the military service. Later, Ken is joined by John Knowles, the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED). John shares his thoughts on the message that attendees will hear throughout the week as they discuss charting a path for EMSO over the next decade. We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] or visit us on our Instagram @fromthecrowsnestpodcast To learn more about today’s topic visit here .

Since the founding of America’s first centralized modern intelligence agency during World War II, today’s guest Anthony Vinci says that current agencies have undergone several revolutions in how espionage was done. But Vinci says we’re in the midst of a fourth revolution, changing the rules of espionage for nations and non-state actors alike. In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by Vinci, a former intelligence officer and author of “ The Fourth Intelligence Revolution: The Future of Espionage and the Battle to Save America .” Vinci says new asymmetric approaches to espionage combined with emerging technology has democratized intelligence, putting civilians at risk and threatening to leave America’s agencies at a disadvantage if they don’t adapt. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, Ken Miller is joined by Mike Alperi, Deputy Program Manager of PMS 408 Expeditionary Missions Program Office at the Naval Sea Systems Command, to talk about his involvement in NATO Subgroup One and its cross-country collaborative Thor’s Hammer exercise — an initiative that allows systems from different nations to be tested side-by-side against cutting edge UAS and IED threats. Alperi says the annual four-week program has greatly expanded over the last decade, growing from five participating nations in 2015 to 14 countries last year. Crucially, he says the scope of Thor’s Hammer has grown over the years, from just counter-ID and counter-UAS training to countering emerging small radio frequency threats. Alperi says the subgroup shares the information from these tests with participating countries around the world, making sure key allies have the best information available as EW technologies continue to rapidly evolve. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

As the holidays approach, From the Crows’ Nest host Ken Miller takes a step back from regularly scheduled programming and is joined once again by producer Laura Krebs to answer more listener questions. The pair unpack the recent government shutdown and how it affected America’s defense sector, as well as how EMSO dominance factors into potential conflicts with Iran and China. Ken also explains how Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s recent acquisition reform strategy may impact EMSO and defense operations. Then, he gives a sneak peek into an episode set to release in January. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

Between the Russo-Ukrainian War and the looming threat of China invading Taiwan, the landscape of global conflict has changed… and today’s guest says the strategies for U.S. dominance have to change along with it. In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller joins retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General David Deptula, current Dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Power Studies to examine what America is doing right and wrong in efforts to meet new threats worldwide. Deptula said that while the United States has built a spectrum of systems that give the nation and its allies a technological advantage, America hasn’t kept pace with building enough capacity to deter adversaries around the world. Deptula says officials need to steer away from just trying to optimize existing systems and recommit building the military services branches back up to meet new regional conflicts as they arise. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

Host Ken Miller welcomes Scott "Sherm" Oliver, AOC Board Member and expert on Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO), for a conversation during a busy week of meetings on the Hill. Together, they discuss AOC’s ongoing advocacy for the Congressional Electronic Warfare Working Group, share impressions from their meetings with lawmakers, and reflect on the growing recognition of EMSO’s importance. They discuss the need for strong leadership and education within both Congress and the Department of War, the urgency of taking bold action to maintain US advantage in the spectrum, and the surprising role that Hollywood and storytelling can play in shaping public understanding. Considering today’s global challenges, including competition with China, the episode provides an inside look at how awareness and advocacy are driving progress in EMSO. We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] or visit us on our Instagram @fromthecrowsnestpodcast To learn more about today’s topic and the upcoming AOC 2025, visit here .

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller sits down with retired US Army Col. Kevin Finch, who now serves as a member of the Association of Old Crows Board of Directors. Col. Finch is the Symposium Committee Chair for the upcoming AOC 2025 in December. Together, they discuss navigating the future of electromagnetic spectrum operation (EMSO) and the evolving landscape of electromagnetic warfare (EW) amidst political, strategic, economic, and technological changes. Shifts in geopolitics have altered the focus and strategic objectives of all members of the international community. This year's conference will explore the changing strategic roadmap for achieving spectrum superiority, informed by international investments, evolving focus areas, and the latest advancements from industry and the Science and Technology (S&T) community to achieve the 2035 vision. We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] or visit us on our Instagram @fromthecrowsnestpodcast To learn more about today’s topic and the upcoming AOC 2025, visit here .

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller sits down with the heads of two startups in the military space to get a glimpse at the cutting edge of military, warfare and EMSO operations. Ethan Thornton of Mach Industries and Rob Sladen of Zulu Pods are both young innovators in the military space, with Mach Industries focusing on pioneering unmanned systems and Zulu Pods aiming to improve fluid delivery systems in assets that support expendable assets like drones and missiles. Both entrepreneurs say their technologies can be key to bridging the gaps between how technology is currently used and the mission of new, radically different systems — like with the proliferation of expendable, unmanned drones — but also to ensure military dominance regardless of theater. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

Join us today to hear Host Ken Miller's conversation with John Knowles, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance, about how U.S. and allied forces are adapting for the next era of electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO). They discuss takeaways from recent trade shows, how the Army and Air Force are rethinking their force structure, and what new reports say about preparing for future conflicts. John shares insights on why modernization needs to move faster, and how innovation in software and agile tech will shape success on the spectrum battlefield. They also touch on global EMSO growth in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, lessons from Ukraine, and what’s ahead in the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage. And please follow our new Instagram account, @fromthecrowsnestpodcast. We also invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] .

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller unpacks one of the key challenges with using artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) in combat: How can human agents trust AI in a live, complex military operation? Jeff Druce, Senior Scientist, Human-Centered AI at Charles River Analytics, is at the heart of trying to answer this question. Jeff says that neural networks are inherently opaque; a system can perform millions of computations in seconds with a user being in the dark of how a system arrived at a certain recommendation or action. He tells Ken that their RELAX (Reinforcement Learning with Adaptive Explainability) research effort aims to add ways that AI systems can explain their decision making to human operators. Jeff says that efforts to improve transparency and trust in these AI tools are key, arguing bottlenecks for AI use soon may not be from the technology plateauing but operators being unprepared and ill-equipped to effectively use this technology. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

In mid-September, in Lviv, Ukraine, the second annual Defense Tech Summit was held with representatives from over 50 countries in attendance. A policy shift from the Trump administration in support of Ukraine signals new focus on ending the Russia-Ukraine War that is now approaching four years. The two-year war continues between Israel and Hamas in Gaza without progress toward a ceasefire. Oh, and now, the US government is in shutdown mode as of October 1. Host Ken Miller sits down with journalist, author, and expert Col. Jeffrey Fischer, USAF (Ret) to discuss all these topics and more in this episode of From the Crows’ Nest. Ken and Jeff discuss the chaotic global security environment on the eve of the US government shutdown and how need to change our thinking and priorities to effectively resolve tensions around the world. Jeff joins the show from Vienna, Austria, where he was in attendance at the Defense Tech Summit in Ukraine and provides an unfiltered perspective from Europe. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage. Also, visit us on social media, including Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] .

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest , host Ken Miller looks at innovation in EMSO and how ideas get from whiteboard to the battlefield through a new lens: science fiction. Lisa Yaszek, Regents Professor of Science Fiction Studies at Georgia Tech, tells host Ken Miller that scientists are indebted to science fiction writers, as the genre gives people interested in science and technology a way to theorize about promising technologies years, decades, or even centuries in the future. She says the genre is an incubator for new ideas and has led to innovative breakthroughs from scientists like physicists Richard Feynman and Kip Thorne. Beyond its scientific impact, the genre also allows cultures from all over the world to see the real world as one of possibility. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage .

In this episode, host Ken Miller is joined by friend and colleague Tom Withington , award-winning editor, defense journalist, and expert with Armada International . Ken and Tom discuss the latest developments in the Russo-Ukrainian War with a special focus on the recent Russian drone incursion into Poland and what it means for all of NATO. They also discuss how the Russo-Ukrainian War, along with other global security challenges in the Middle East and Indo-PACOM region, are changing the way we have to prepare for future escalation and conflict. For more information on FTCN and the Association of Old Crows, visit fromthecrowsnest.org and crows.org , respectively. You can reach the host directly at [email protected] to share your thoughts or questions you want FTCN to cover in future episodes. Please also follow our new Instagram account, @fromthecrowsnestpodcast .

After decades of being the purview of world governments, space operations have exploded in commercial and civilian necessity in recent years. Commercial satellites have increased 7 fold over the last 15 years and now total more than 10,000. Space capabilities are central to nearly every operational concept and military mission, not to mention every modern economy. Furthermore, space operations and electromagnetic spectrum operations are inextricably linked. How does the Unites State juggle the competition between military and commercial in space? How can the United States secure an enduring advantage in space operations in modern conflicts? In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by Brian Weeden, Systems Director in the Center for Space Policy and Strategy with The Aerospace Corporation. Brian says the creation of the U.S. Space Force and the renewal of U.S. Space Command offers opportunities to rethink how the nation works outside of Earth’s orbit and to solve big questions. How can America support terrestrial military operations or conduct activities in space itself all while juggling spectrums shared by satellites in low-orbit and thousands of miles above Earth’s atmosphere? To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage. And please follow our new Instagram account, @fromthecrowsnestpodcast . We also invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected].

Innovation is a buzzword to showcase game-changing technologies and capabilities. But how do you get the people’s attention to consider the possibilities, risks, and opportunities? How do you raise awareness to move innovative ideas from the mind to the lab and to the field, not to mention the average household? So much innovation is downstream from culture. In a special episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller breaks format to talk about the important role of movies and pop culture to advance innovation. Ken is joined by David Kirby, author of Lab Coats in Hollywood: Science, Scientists and Cinema , to explore the relationship between real scientific advancements and action on the big screen. David tells Ken that movies can influence policy, as bombastic apocalypse movies like “Deep Impact” and “Armageddon” have had real-world impacts on U.S. policy towards near-Earth objects. David says that while some researchers may have gripes with how a movie depicts the science of certain blockbuster films, the public’s attention is a finite resource – and a big Hollywood movie can be a useful way to bring widespread attention to an issue otherwise overlooked. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage . We also invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] .

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by returning guest Duncan McCrory from the Freeman Air & Space Institute at King’s College London to unpack concerns of a Chinese escalation in the Pacific to reunification with Taiwan — and what this move could mean for the United States and alliances around the world. McCrory says that defense experts have focused on 2027, known as the “Davidson Window,” following reports from the U.S. Intelligence Community that Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered its military to be ready to invade Taiwan in 2027. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is the largest military force in the world with 2 million active-duty soldiers. McCrory says a successful invasion of Taiwan from China could weaken alliances and have devastating economic impacts on the United States… but a miscalculated intervention could introduce direct conflict with one of the biggest superpowers in the world. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage . We also invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected].

As August kicks off and summer hits full swing, From the Crows’ Nest takes a step back from its usual format for a special Q&A episode. Host Ken Miller is joined in the studio by Voxtopica producer Laura Krebs to answer questions from listeners and the (very real) studio audience. The conversation touches on topics like EMSO’s role in future global conflicts, what to watch from the latest World Radio Conference, and even the lighter side of the spectrum—like what kind of mascot might best represent the field. Ken also shares some insights on the Indo-Pacific region and weighs in on today’s fast-changing security environment. It’s a relaxed but thought-provoking episode that brings fresh perspective to some of the big questions facing EMSO today. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage . We also invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] .

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest , host Ken Miller delves into the intersection of privacy and national security with Susan Landau, the Director of the Cybersecurity Center at Tufts University. Landau testified before Congress last month calling for improved encryption as a matter of national security. She tells host Ken Miller that the modern debate over encryption and cybersecurity dates back to a cyber espionage operation run by Chinese hackers called “Salt Typhoon” that breached various parties and critical U.S. infrastructure, including wiretapping members of both the Trump and Harris presidential campaigns. Their ability to breach texts and voice messages and access databases highlighted inefficiencies in America’s cybersecurity infrastructure – and the tension between protecting American citizens from cyberattacks while posing additional challenges to law enforcement agencies worldwide. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage . We also invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected].

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by Madison Arcangeli and Katy Nazaretova from Forza DC to discuss the current state of Capitol Hill and the annual appropriations process. They cover a range of topics including keeping the government funded through FY 2025, the progress of the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, and the latest on the annual Defense appropriations Act. To learn more about Forza DC, please visit here .

In this episode, host Ken Miller is joined by friend and colleague John Knowles, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED), to discuss the defense budget, as well as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the latest on military actions in Iran. They draw comparisons between the actions taken in Iran and Ukraine's strategic actions taken against Russia, highlighting the importance of electromagnetic spectrum dominance and air superiority in multiple theaters. You can reach the host directly to share your thoughts or questions you want FTCN to cover in future episodes at [email protected] .

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest , host Ken Miller takes us inside the cutting edge of airborne electronic attack with a deep dive into the U.S. Navy’s latest game-changer: the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB). Joining Ken is Chuck Angus, Business Development Director at Raytheon, who shares how this powerful new system is redefining the electromagnetic battlespace. Built with advanced Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, the NGJ-MB delivers unprecedented power density and direct array control—no third-party components, just pure precision. Deployed on the EA-18G Growler for both the U.S. Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force, this next-gen jammer is replacing the legacy ALQ-99 and setting the standard for future conflicts. Chuck explains why NGJ-MB isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a critical leap forward in spectrum superiority. Don’t miss this insider look at how the future of electronic warfare is taking shape right now. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage . We also invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected].

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest , host Ken Miller gets insight into the front lines of the war in Ukraine with today’s guest, Jack de Santis. The Croatian-born drone pilot with the Ukrainian military, is also an engineer and businessman, and is the founder of Omira AI — a company that specializes in counter-EW communications technology. Ken and Jack are also joined by FTCN regular guest, retired USAF Colonel, author and journalist, Jeffrey Fischer. Jack tells Ken that his approach to electronic warfare was born from what he saw as a volunteer for the Ukrainian army. Jack’s experience as a drone pilot and engineer before the conflict allowed him to step into the front lines of the Russo-Ukrainian war. But it’s what Jack saw during a Russian artillery bombardment of Ukrainian forces that led to a new understanding of the conflict: the Ukrainian military needs better EW tools to do the job. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage . We also invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected].

In this episode of From the Crows' Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by friend and colleague John Knowles, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED), to discuss the ongoing congressional defense budget and reconciliation processes on Capitol Hill. They also discuss the latest developments in Spectrum auction and the need to invest in dynamic spectrum sharing technology and processes. Ken and John also discuss the recent eye-opening Ukrainian drone offensive against Russia, Operation Spiderweb. This is yet another successful EMSO mission that should capture our attention to understand how we can better utilize electromagnetic energy in combat, but also better protect our forces abroad and critical infrastructure at home from a similar exploitation by peer competitors and adversaries. You can reach the host directly to share your thoughts or questions you want FTCN to cover in future episodes at [email protected] .