The Mitchell Institute’s “The Aerospace Advantage” Episode: Space Electronic Warfare
The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies hosted an episode titled “Space Electronic Warfare: Key to Modern Combat Operations” which featured discussions with Charles Galbreath, Col Christopher “Trigger” Fernengel, and Lt Col C. Gene “Shocker” Adams.
Main Takeaways:
- Enhancement of Space EW Capabilities: There’s a crucial need for advanced space electronic warfare capabilities to effectively counter and disrupt adversarial threats, ensuring the protection of joint military operations.
- Importance of Declassification: Lowering classification levels for certain space EW information is essential to enhance collaboration within military branches and with international allies, improving strategic deterrence and operational effectiveness.
- Integration and Coordination: Seamless integration and coordination across service branches are vital to prevent conflicts and ensure the effectiveness of space EW operations, highlighting the necessity of cross-service collaboration and training.
22 April, 2024
Moderator: John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Speakers:
- Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)
- Col Christopher “Trigger” Fernengel, Director, Commander’s Action Group, Space Operations Command
- Lt Col C. Gene “Shocker” Adams, Commander, 527th Space Aggressor Squadron, Space Training and Readiness Command
Col Chris “Trigger” Fernengel
These quotes provide insight into Fernengel’s perspective on the strategic implications of space EW, the importance of specialized training, and the integration of these capabilities within broader military operations.
On Electronic Warfare in Space Operations:
“So in the Space Force, Space Delta three does electromagnetic warfare for the nation… We were able to quickly answer the call our nation or our coalition partners to do site surveys, to do operational prep for the environment and to deploy for 30 days until our traditional formations could get there.”
On Training and Readiness:
“It was really a top off training before they went to mission qualifications. And what that allowed us to do is at the unclassified level give people sets and reps to understand how to move and maneuver within the EMS and be ready at a more functional level for their weapon system training.”
On Integration with Joint Operations:
“We need to counter that threat to protect our joint force from space-enabled attacks. And then we also train our forces for that relevant and realistic threat environment.”
On Quick Reaction Capabilities:
“The first thing the team did was to put together a quick reaction capability for the nation for EW to be able to quickly answer the call our nation or our coalition partners to do site surveys, to do operational prep for the environment, and to deploy for 30 days until our traditional formations could get there.”
On Expanding EW Operations:
“The mission growth during that year went from four to seven expeditionary deployment locations supporting five different combatant commands. So at any given time, about a fourth of our formations were deployed.”
On The Role of EW in Joint Operations:
“I think it’s important to look at space-enabled attack from an adversary perspective through our ability to influence the kill chain. So whether it be EW from an attack support or protection perspective, we look through the lens of investing capabilities we need to counter that threat to protect our joint force from space-enabled attacks.”
On Advanced Training Initiatives:
“The ability for us to stand up an electromagnetic warfare ops course… It was really a top-off training before they went to mission qualifications. And what that allowed us to do is at the unclassified level give people sets and reps to understand how to move and maneuver within the EMS and be ready at a more functional level for their weapon system training.”
On Operational Growth and Deployment:
“I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the mission growth during that year; we went from four to seven expeditionary deployment locations supporting five different combatant commands. So at any given time about a fourth of our formations were deployed.”
Lt Col C. Gene “Shocker” Adams
These quotes reflect Lt Col Adams’ perspectives on the significance of aggressor training, the necessity of integration within space operations, and the future challenges facing space warfare capabilities.
On the Role of Space Aggressors:
-“For over 20 years we’ve been doing the GPS and the SATCOM EAA mission… that’s a huge impact across the entire Department of Defense and with our partner nations.”
-“We need to train for that event… that’s what the aggressors bring to this fight is the ability to be the sparring partner for blue forces with regard to EW.”
On Integration and Collaboration in Space Operations:
-“From an approvals process perspective, we’ve seen a positive move… I’ve also seen an increase in partner nation participation in a lot of our events.”
On the Importance of Joint Exercises and Training:
“We had about 32 exercises last year, 30 Teach missions impacting over 100,000 joint warfighters across the army, the Marines, the Navy, guardians, and partner nation forces.”
On Collaborative Defense Strategies:
“One of the ways I think we as aggressors can help to mitigate some of the confusion that has been discussed is through every opportunity that we have to bring those Joint Force partners together.”
On Enhancing Capabilities and Integration:
“As we practice these effects is better more reps and sets for them to be used to working together… We need to be very deliberate about that integration.”
On Strategic Impact of Space Aggressors:
-“It’s an absolute honor. And it’s an honor for me to serve as the commander of the 527 space aggressors. You know like I saw a lot of folks I don’t think there’s a higher form of life on Earth than a Space Force Space aggressor.”
-“Our job in the aggressors is to know, teach and replicate the threat that’s all rooted in in in intelligence and an assessment of of what the adversary capabilities are. And then our job is to try to mirror that as much as possible.”
On Training for Realistic Threat Environments:
“That’s what the aggressors bring to this fight is the ability to be the sparring partner for blue forces with regard to EW and that’s on both sides.”
On Dealing with High Levels of Classification in Space Operations:
“From an approvals process perspective we’ve seen a positive move in in the delegation of counterspace approval activity packages that were formally signed off at the SecDef level now delegated down to the EO six level in most cases.”
Charles Galbreath
These quotes from Charles Galbreath articulate key points about the strategic role of declassification, the vulnerabilities inherent in space systems, and the broader implications for coalition and joint military operations.
On the Importance of Declassification in Space EW
-“What we’re seeing at the Pentagon staff level is the work that Dr. Plumb and his team is doing on OSD space policy staff to direct changes to declassify where it makes sense as far as conceal and reveal strategy.”
-“Much of the capability go from that top secret SAP level down to the collateral level, which also enables us to share more as far as partnership with coalition partners.”
On the Necessity of Robust Space EW Capabilities
“Every satellite system that we have relies on that link for its communications… if there’s a way to disrupt or to deny or to do something else to that signal, it is vulnerability that virtually every space capability would have.”
On Integration and Collaboration Challenges
-“When we decrease classification levels we’re more likely to integrate them into joint operations and to allied operations which will make us more effective should we ever go to conflict.”
On Strategic Importance of Electronic Warfare:
“It’s like this compounding on top of each other, you know multiplying the net effect of lowering the classification to increase our overall deterrence by maybe a factor of three.”
On Collaborative and Integrated Defense:
“So it’s really crucial that we have the right level of coordination at US Space Command to handle the integration of space EW effects to ensure they don’t inadvertently affect global users.”