News

Electronic warfare symposium draws big crowd

  • Published
  • By Holly Birchfield
  • 78th ABW/PA
More than 1,000 people in the electronic warfare profession from the government and private industry turned out for the 33rd Annual 542nd Combat Sustainment Group and Dixie Crows Electronic Warfare Symposium at the Museum of Aviation March 16-20.

About 50 exhibitors set up more than 60 booths displaying electronic warfare technologies at the event.

Brig. Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, director of intelligence and requirements at Air Force Materiel Command Headquarters, served as the symposium's keynote speaker, addressing the Air Force's new direction for electronic warfare management and several other movements in the electronic warfare profession.

Kermit Quick, president of the Association of Old Crows, said the symposium offered electronic warfare professionals from around the globe a chance to learn from each other through technical sessions and a number of courses provided during the event.

"I think it's one of the better symposiums we have," he said. "We have a national symposium, but the Dixie Crows symposium is one of the annual events that many of us attend to support the work they do here and support the discipline of electronic warfare."

Several people from the Robins community were presented with awards recognizing their contributions to the profession during the event.

Wes Heidenreich, president of the Dixie Crow Chapter of the Association of Old Crows, said the symposium raised $120,000. Part of that money funded scholarships awarded by the organization.

Mr. Heidenerich said this year, the symposium provided about $41,000 in scholarships for base employees, both civilian and military, to pursue education goals.

Lisa Fruge, current vice president of the Dixie Crows Chapter and incoming president of the organization, said the chapter will donate $5,000 generated by the symposium to the Museum of Aviation.

Ms. Fruge said she's very pleased with the interest the symposium generated.

Randy Inboden, a flight director in the 542nd CSW, said the symposium helped him learn how to better serve his customers.

"I'm here to see what the vendors have that might be coming out new and also (learn more about) strategic plans as far as how to support our customers," he said. "It actually brings all of the customers, as well as all of the contractors and vendors, together in one area and allows you to interface with all the people involved with electronic warfare from around the globe."