WASHINGTON -- For more than 50 years, the Association of Old Crows has recognized service members from across the military and civilian personnel for their outstanding contributions to the electronic warfare community.
During this year's 51st Annual AOC International Symposium and Convention held Oct. 6-9 in Washington, D.C., Chief Warrant Officer 2 Eric Bermudez, electronic warfare technician, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, was presented the EW Mission Support award for his contributions during the brigade's most recent deployment to Afghanistan in 2013.
"It's a great feeling that it's coming to a time when electronic warfare is being recognized for what we do down range," Bermudez said. "I try to tell commanders that if you go out on a mission and you don't hear anything go boom, that means we're doing our jobs."
Bermudez was among 200 applicants competing for recognition in one of seven categories.
Presenting the awards was Kenneth Israel, president of AOC, who also spoke of the importance of electronic warfare.
"Electronic warfare increases the combat capability of every platform, every sensor, every weapon and every decision maker who uses it," he said. "Just as our adversaries are increasing their understanding and emphasis on EW, the United States must increase its emphasis on speed and rapid adaptation. EW will ensure that our Soldiers not only get to the target, but also get safely home from the target."
Bermudez adapted to an evolving advisory and base closure mission and quickly combated a shrinking supply of repair parts and a lack of qualified maintenance technicians to ensure continual coverage against electronic threats.
"The field service representatives were leaving; we had no support and no parts," he said. "If a CREW (Counter Radio-Controlled-Improvised-Explosive-Device Electronic Warfare) system went down or even a piece of it was disabled, that vehicle would become dead lined (non-operational). We can't leave the wire (base) unless the CREW systems were fully operational. That was the fight I took on."
Despite these difficulties, Bermudez found ways to train operators and system maintainers and coordinate electronic warfare coverage for Soldiers conducting advisory, route clearance and base closure missions, while scheduling repairs to ensure EW equipment remained operational.
Bermudez's actions resulted in mission success and have earned him a spot in EW history.
His citation reads: "For exceptional meritorious service, (Chief Warrant Officer 2) Bermudez's efforts resulted in an effective electronic warfare cell instrumental in the command's success. This reflects great credit upon the 10th Mountain Division and the United States Army."
Other Army personnel recognized were Maj. Ian Campbell, formerly an electronic warfare technician with 2nd BCT, who was recognized in EW Mission Operations category, and Warrant Officer Bryan Burton, EW cell chief, 4th BCT, Fort Polk, La., who accepted the Army Outstanding Unit award on behalf of his section.
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