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US and UK communicators conduct electronic warfare training, boost interoperability

By U.S. Special Operations Command EuropeJune 23, 2021

U.K. Signal Regiment and SOCEUR Signal Detachment (SSD) conduct electronic warfare training at RAF Spadeadam (U.K.) on April 20, 2021 during a bilateral exercise. The exercise, designed to increase interoperability between the two NATO allies, facilitated mutual understanding of the combined tactical communication used by the U.K. and U.S.
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.K. Signal Regiment and SOCEUR Signal Detachment (SSD) conduct electronic warfare training at RAF Spadeadam (U.K.) on April 20, 2021 during a bilateral exercise. The exercise, designed to increase interoperability between the two NATO allies, facilitated mutual understanding of the combined tactical communication used by the U.K. and U.S. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
A CV-22B Osprey assigned to 352d Special Operations Wing conducted infiltration and exfiltration training with the SOCEUR Signal Detachment (SSD) at RAF Spadeadam (U.K.) on April 19, 2021 during a bilateral exercise. The exercise, designed to increase interoperability between the two NATO allies, facilitated mutual understanding of the combined tactical communication used by the U.K. and U.S.
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A CV-22B Osprey assigned to 352d Special Operations Wing conducted infiltration and exfiltration training with the SOCEUR Signal Detachment (SSD) at RAF Spadeadam (U.K.) on April 19, 2021 during a bilateral exercise. The exercise, designed to increase interoperability between the two NATO allies, facilitated mutual understanding of the combined tactical communication used by the U.K. and U.S. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

(CUMBRIA, United Kingdom) — United Kingdom Signal Regiment and Special Operations Command, Europe (SOCEUR) Signal Detachment (SSD) conducted combined communications training at Royal Air Force Station Spadeadam April 19-22. Spadeadam is the only electronic warfare tactics facility in Europe where aircrews can practice maneuvers and tactics against a threats and targets that they face in contemporary warfare.

The exercise, designed to increase interoperability between the two NATO allies, facilitated mutual understanding of the combined tactical communication used by the U.K. and U.S.

"The training we conducted with the U.K. communicators was beneficial and realistic to battlefield operations as interoperability between allies is critical to the success of NATO missions," said U.S. Army Sgt. Dayson Lindsay, a senior satellite communication system operator-maintainer.

Participants validated communication systems by troubleshooting software and hardware errors, implementing combined radio networks and training on international radio protocols to communicate effectively.

U.K. Signal Regiment and SOCEUR Signal Detachment (SSD) conduct electronic warfare training at RAF Spadeadam (U.K.) on April 20, 2021 during a bilateral exercise. The exercise, designed to increase interoperability between the two NATO allies, facilitated mutual understanding of the combined tactical communication used by the U.K. and U.S.
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.K. Signal Regiment and SOCEUR Signal Detachment (SSD) conduct electronic warfare training at RAF Spadeadam (U.K.) on April 20, 2021 during a bilateral exercise. The exercise, designed to increase interoperability between the two NATO allies, facilitated mutual understanding of the combined tactical communication used by the U.K. and U.S. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.K. Signal Regiment and SOCEUR Signal Detachment (SSD) conduct electronic warfare training at RAF Spadeadam on April 20, 2021 during a bilateral exercise. The exercise, designed to increase interoperability between the two NATO allies, facilitated mutual understanding of the combined tactical communication used by the U.K. and U.S.
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.K. Signal Regiment and SOCEUR Signal Detachment (SSD) conduct electronic warfare training at RAF Spadeadam on April 20, 2021 during a bilateral exercise. The exercise, designed to increase interoperability between the two NATO allies, facilitated mutual understanding of the combined tactical communication used by the U.K. and U.S. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

"Enabling an effective mission command requires combined communications in today's complex military environment,” Sgt. Lindsay continued.

During the combined training event, the communicators explained and demonstrated each other's communications equipment capabilities and functionality. This was followed by bridging solutions to facilitate secure communications between U.S. and U.K. radios.

"Working with the U.K. communicators has helped us improve communications interoperability by developing tactics and procedures that we can carry forward to future combined operations," said U.S. Army Sgt. Andrew Reyes, a senior radio operator-maintainer from 112th Special Operations Signal Battalion (Airborne), assigned to SSD.

The SOCEUR communicators regularly conduct combined communications training throughout Europe to bridge partner radio systems between NATO allies and implement secure radio solutions for combat units.

SOCEUR employs Special Operations Forces across the United States European Command area of responsibility to enable deterrence, strengthen European security collective capabilities and interoperability, and counter transnational threats to protect U.S. personnel and interests.

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