From the Crows' Nest
From the Crows' Nest
Association of Old Crows
Featuring interviews, analysis, and discussions covering leading issues of the day related to electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO). Topics include current events and news worldwide, US Congress and the annual defense budget, and military news from the US and allied countries. We also bring you closer to Association of Old Crow events and provide a forum to dive deeper into policy issues impacting our community.
AOC Asia 2026: The Fight for Spectrum Control in the Indo-Pacific
Spectrum control now sits at the center of Indo-Pacific defense planning, and AI is changing both how allies coordinate and how China pursues electromagnetic advantage. For today's conversation, Ken Miller sits down with Dr. Nathan Johnson, president of the AOC Australia-New Zealand chapter, and Dr. Chen Yi Tu (Crystal), a research fellow at Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research, to break down what AOC Asia 2026 revealed about the region's security outlook. Together, they discuss why AOC Asia was paired with Australia's ADSTAR event, how coalition warfare demands shared frameworks across the Indo-Pacific, and how China is advancing EMSO through military-civil fusion, AI-assisted monitoring, and influence in international regulatory bodies.We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] or by visiting us on our Instagram @fromthecrowsnestpodcast.To learn more about today's topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.
Aug 19
35 min
Thor's Hammer 2026: What Allies Learn From Each Other
Four countries, one test range, and a shared problem: How do you stop a drone or a remote-detonated bomb before it does damage?Ken Miller is back with more on NATO's Thor's Hammer 2026 exercise, this time talking with military and industry experts from Norway, Australia, Germany, and the US. They discuss how RF signal suppression holds up in terrain that doesn't cooperate, why comparing notes matters as much as the equipment itself, and why having someone outside your own country check your results tends to catch things you'd miss on your own.We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] or by visiting us on our Instagram @fromthecrowsnestpodcast.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.
Aug 5
46 min
Thor's Hammer 2026: How NATO Tests for the Next Drone War
Electromagnetic warfare exercises give NATO a way to test new technology against real threats before those threats show up on a battlefield.For today's conversation, Ken Miller sits down with military and industry experts from Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands to break down NATO's Thor's Hammer 2026 exercise. The exercise tests systems built to detect and disable drones, and to find and neutralize remote-detonated bombs. With his guests, Ken discusses how the exercise runs these tests, what role lab-based simulations and simulated jamming environments play in speeding up development, and how NATO's smaller member nations work alongside larger ones to build systems that hold up under real interference.We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] or by visiting us on our Instagram @fromthecrowsnestpodcast.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.
Jul 8
43 min
The Congressional Path to EMSO Capability
The defense budget process plays a critical role in shaping military priorities, technology investments, and the future of electromagnetic warfare.For today’s conversation, Ken Miller sits down with Katy Nazaretova of Forza DC to break down how authorization and appropriations legislation moves through Congress. Together, they discuss the policymaking process, advocacy strategies on Capitol Hill, and how election-year dynamics can influence congressional decisions affecting electromagnetic spectrum operations.We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] or by visiting us on our Instagram @fromthecrowsnestpodcast.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.
Jun 24
35 min
Collaboration as a Competitive Edge
Joint ventures and teaming arrangements can be your fastest path to a defense contract win – or your most expensive lesson. Knowing which to use and how makes all the difference.Ken Miller sits down with government contract advisor Jenna Girompini to break down the legal and strategic distinctions between the two. Together, they explore how top contractors build alliances and examine how rising defense budgets and an increasingly global market are reshaping the rules of collaboration.We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] or by visiting us on our Instagram @fromthecrowsnestpodcast.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.
Jun 10
34 min
Smart Kill: Rewriting the Rules of Electromagnetic Warfare
Winning in the electromagnetic spectrum requires two things: the right strategy and the technology to back it up. This episode tackles both.Ken Miller is joined by Dr. Thomas Withington of Armada International and Alasdair Gilchrist of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to examine what achieving spectrum superiority actually demands today, why European defense strategies are under pressure, and what the concept of “smart kill” reveals about where modern electromagnetic warfare is heading.Then, Ken sits down with Gabby Bailado of Keysight Technologies to explore how scalable testing platforms are reshaping EW development and why the line between commercial and military technology is blurring faster than most people realize.We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] or by visiting us on our Instagram @fromthecrowsnestpodcast.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.
May 28
46 min
Is NATO Falling Behind in the Spectrum Fight?
Electromagnetic spectrum dominance used to be a tactical edge; now it’s a strategic requirement, especially in Europe. But is NATO keeping up?In this episode, Ken Miller is joined by John Knowles, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED), to break down the state of EMSO across Europe and the alliance. Drawing on lessons from Ukraine, Canada, and the UK, they explain why speed, integration, and early development are no longer optional, they’re essential.We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] or by visiting us on our Instagram @fromthecrowsnestpodcast.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.
May 13
44 min
What Does it Mean to be a Crow? (Part 2)
In the second installment of our series, host Ken Miller builds on our previous episode’s exploration of the “crow” identity and what it represents within the electromagnetic warfare (EW) and spectrum operations community.In this episode, Ken is joined by Sergeant Brandon Smith to dive deeper into the connection between crow behavior and modern electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO). They explore how traits commonly associated with crows, like intelligence, adaptability, and collaboration, mirror the skills required of today’s EMSO warfighters.Ken and Brandon break down the realities of EW and spectrum management in today’s operational environment, where success depends the ability to think strategically, adapt quickly, and stay ahead of evolving threats. By the end of the conversation, they make a compelling case: The crow isn’t just a nickname, it’s a mindset.Listen to Part 1 here.We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] or by visiting us on our Instagram @fromthecrowsnestpodcast.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.
Apr 29
30 min
Adaptation as Advantage in Modern Warfare
What really separates winning militaries from losing ones? It may come down to something far less tangible than weapons or technology.In today’s episode, host Ken Miller sits down with Brian Clark, Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, to explore a critical – and often overlooked – factor shaping modern warfare: adaptation. Drawing on insights from recent conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, the conversation examines how the ability to adjust in real time can determine success on the battlefield.Together, they unpack how rapidly evolving technologies, shifting tactics, and organizational agility are redefining what military advantage really looks like today, without relying on any single breakthrough capability.Find the full report at the Hudson Institute. We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] or by visiting us on our Instagram @fromthecrowsnestpodcast.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.
Apr 15
42 min
What Happens When GPS Goes Dark?
GPS and GNSS systems quietly power nearly every aspect of modern life, from financial transactions and power grids to aviation and emergency response. But what happens when they’re disrupted?In this episode, host Ken Miller speaks with Dana Goward, President of the Resilient Navigation and Timing Foundation, about the growing threats to GPS and GNSS infrastructure. They break down how jamming and spoofing work, why these attacks are becoming more accessible, and how real-world incidents have exposed critical vulnerabilities.We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] or by visiting us on our Instagram @fromthecrowsnestpodcast.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.
Apr 1
42 min
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