Electronic warfare officers keep Soldiers safe

Photo By Pfc. Evan Loyd | Navy Commander Ed Fischer (left) and Air Force 1st Lt. E.J. Wong inspect an Warlock equipped Humvee.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

11.21.2008

Story by Pfc. Evan Loyd 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

By Pfc. Evan Loyd
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – Navy Commander Ed Fischer and Air Force 1st Lt. E. J. Wong would seem to be out of place in an Army heavy brigade combat team conducting operations in Iraq.

Fischer, whose career field is nuclear engineering, and Wong, whose background is as an air battle manager, are both electronic warfare officers for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division and play critical roles in ensuring the safety of Iron Brigade Soldiers.

"We maintain, field and upgrade the electronic countermeasures throughout the brigade" said Wong, from San Francisco, Calif.

The system that protects Soldiers from improvised explosive devices is known as the Warlock System.

Electronic warfare officers keep Soldiers safe by ensuring the equipment is maintained and working properly. The importance of this task is magnified by the constant threat of roadside bombs that take all.

It might be an old artillery shell, hastily shoved into a culvert that coalition forces' convoys drive over from time to time. It could be an explosively formed projectile camouflaged to look like a concrete block in a pile of rubble. They are hastily assembled by criminals who stuff pounds of homemade explosives into the most mundane of containers like soda cans, propane bottles or worn-out car tires.

On a day-to-day basis, electronic threats to the U.S. military change; therefore, the solutions or the means of fighting that threat change. For the ever changing electronic threat, the Army looked to the Navy and Air Force for their expertise.

Prior to arriving to the unit, Fischer wasn't sure what to expect, especially being a naval officer and joining the ranks of an Army unit.

"Since I've arrived, I feel like I have been accepted well," said Fisher, from Washington, N.C. "I've never once felt like I don't belong. I feel like I am a part of the team, and in the same sense, I am treated like I am a part of the team."

Wong, who served in Iraq in previous deployments as an air weapons officer, volunteered to deploy again with less than one week notice.

"We're all part of one big American team, and I've been accepted really well," said Wong. "It's been great getting the first hand experience while being out here with the 2nd BCT."

Wong studied Electronic Warfare Training at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., for one month where he learned the fundamentals of basic radio and radar theory. His training culminated in hands-on training in Warlock operations and maintenance.

This expertise is invaluable to ensure Soldiers are not harmed while operating in sector.

• Date Taken: 11.21.2008
• Date Posted: 11.21.2008 01:32
• Story ID: 26616
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ