AOC’s Chapters Represent Its Global Membership

The following article was published in the December 2024 issue of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED) as part of the AOC’s 60th anniversary celebration. 

By Wayne Shaw with contributions from Glenn “Powder” Carlson, Lt Col Erik Bamford, Dr. Haruko Kawahagashi, John Stubbington, and Paul Westcott

AOC’s 60th Anniversary celebration would not be complete without addressing the history of our international chapters. Our international chapters represent diverse perspectives and form a strong, vibrant part of the AOC.

The AOC’s international chapters are divided into two large regions. AOC International Region 1 is served by Regional Director Lt Col Erik Bamford who is the EW Branch Chief of the Norwegian Armed Forces. This region includes 13 chapters and covers a geographical area from the Arctic Roost in Norway to the Aardvark’s Roost in South Africa, and from the UK Chapter on the western edge to the India Chapter on its eastern edge.

Some of the region’s chapters have a long history within AOC dating back to the Cold War. The UK Chapter was established in 1972 and was followed by the Red Baron Roost in 1974 and the De Ooievaar Chapter (1975) in The Netherlands. The very first international AOC conference was organized by the Red Baron Roost just a few years after its formation. In addition, the UK Chapter represents one of the AOC’s largest chapters in terms of membership, with more than 500 Old Crows currently on its membership list. According to John Stubbington, UK Chapter Treasurer, “Across the membership we have presence and influence in UK Electronic Warfare activities from initial requirements, through development, production, procurement and into training and operational use.”

Other Region 1 chapters include the Viking Roost in Sweden, the Lafayette Chapter in France, the Swiss Crows, the Praetorian Chapter in Rome and the recently established Bohemian Crows in the Czech Republic. Outside of Europe, chapters include the Israeli Chapter and the Saudi Chapter, as well as the the India Chapter and Aardvark Chapter.

According to Lt Col Bamford, the Russo-Ukrainian War is easily the most defining event of the last decade for the European chapters in Region 1. The direct impact of the war is seen in the increased interest by the NATO countries directly bordering Russia or its close ally Belarus. New chapters have formed or are in the making in in the Baltic area, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Also, NATO has become directly involved with AOC Europe – providing experts for a special session that has improved the warfighter-industry-academia common understanding of the threat posed, a dialogue on what solutions may be required, and what technologies to employ.

In the Middle East, the AOC’s history over the last decade has equally been shaped by conflict. Conflict between Western allies and the Russo-Syrian partnership while fighting ISIS provided many EW lessons to include EW’s role in ballistic missile defense (BMD) and counter-UAS, among others. The 2025 attacks by Iran against Israel have helped shape new lessons on the use of EW in air defense and BMD. The AOC’s Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Chapter, which was established in 2013, continues to be strong. And of course, the India Chapter puts on an incredible EW Conference of its own every two years in Bangalore. Many an AOC President has traveled there for this outstanding chapter-hosted event.

The six chapters that comprise International Region 2 are capably served by long-time AOC Board member Dr. Haruko Kawahigashi. Haruko is a member of the Japan Chapter of the AOC which has existed was established more than 40 years ago. It hosts the “Japan EW Research Group” conference, and Dr. Kawahagashi is always a driving force behind that event. In the past, the Singapore Chapter has helped host AOC Asia. According to Dr. Kawahigashi, “In the 2010s, chapter conferences were held regularly in Korea, Taiwan, and Japan.” The chapter in Australia, which is nearly 40 years old, hosts major conferences almost annually and, with its own advocacy and education programs such as its Spectrum Working Group, remains an essential resource for the Australian government. The rising tensions in the South China Seas will likely translate into a stronger chapter in Taiwan, and perhaps new chapters in the Philippines and elsewhere. Meanwhile the chapters in the Republic of Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Australia, as well as the most recent addition – the Kiwi Chapter in New Zealand – are all eager to host the next AOC Asia conference.

According to Past President Glenn “Powder” Carlson, “We continue to work on increasing our international footprint and influence to include adding an international director to the Executive Committee and international members serving as At-Large Directors.” This is fitting given that approximately 23% of AOC’s membership is comprised by our international members.