FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz--The U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence Tactical Electronic Warfare Operations Course graduates will number more than 2,000 on Feb. 26 as the 43rd class of students graduate. Like their predecessors, most will deploy to support Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.
The three-week course was started at the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca in October 2006 when it became apparent to senior Army leadership they had to address a tactical radio-controlled improvised explosive device threat which was killing or injuring Soldiers, giving the enemy a strategic advantage on the battlefield.
Servicemembers with TEWOC training give supported commanders dominance of the electromagnetic spectrum in joint service environments anywhere, at any time. In other words, tactical commanders could regain complete control of their area of operations, to include the radio frequency spectrum. The training gives battalion-level electronic warfare officers an understanding of electronic warfare theory, counter radio controlled improvised explosives device electronic warfare systems, and spectrum interoperability. These concepts are taught first in the classroom and then reinforced with practical exercises, emphasizing tactical applications.
In April 2007, officials in charge of the TEWOC program increased their maximum student capacity from 30 to 60 in response to requests for increased forces for Iraq and Afghanistan, as there was a need for personnel with tactical electronic warfare operations training. The target ranks for TEWOC students are enlisted sergeants through officer majors with any MOS, and contractors who will be electronic warfare instructors.
During TEWOC, students get tactical application of EW theory through immersion in hands-on practical exercises and field-based situational training exercises. Training includes the military decision-making process, cell phone and other electronics technology as it applies to IEDs, future threats, video teleconferences with those in theater, and unmanned aircraft systems briefings.
On their final day of situational training field exercises, students plan and conduct their own convoy. Bad decisions translate into immediate IED detonations training to increase students' understanding of friendly and threat environments in order for them to help Soldiers safely convoy from one location to another.
By the time training is complete, graduates will have developed a sense of line-of-sight and signal-to-noise-ratio issues an EWO needs to know to help his Soldiers conduct their mission and protect them from harm.
Course graduates earn 12 credit hours through Cochise College in technical report writing, signals intelligence, collection management, and cell phone technology.
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