Washington- Congressman Joe Pitts (PA-16), and Congressman Rick Larsen, (WA-02), Co-Chairmen of the Electronic Warfare Working Group (EWWG),  today applauded the House Armed Services Committee for agreeing to an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill that would require the Department of Defense (DOD) to submit an annual report outlining their electronic warfare (EW) strategy.  The amendment also requires DOD to tell Congress what EW capabilities are being used to achieve that strategy and how the military provides leadership on EW issues. 

Electronic Warfare describes our military’s use of radio frequencies to deploy weapons and protect our troops, and to deny our enemies the use of radio frequencies to attack us. Weapons that depend on radio frequencies range from the simple to the sophisticated. They include air defense radars which help enemies identify and destroy U.S. planes, and improvised explosive devises (IEDs) which have led to significant U.S. casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Congressman Pitts’ statement follows:

“We have learned time and time again that EW saves lives. We need to develop the right technology; train our troops to use the capability; field the capability quickly; operate jointly; and stay ahead of the curve.  I know from my time as an electronic warfare officer in the Air Force how important EW capabilities are to our troops.  And our Armed Forces use the electromagnetic spectrum now more than ever.  The Electronic Warfare Working Group aims to strengthen EW capabilities and assets to maintain the highest level of military readiness today and into the future, and this amendment will help in that effort.

“To stay ahead of the curve, we need a plan.  We need a strategy.  And Congress needs to know and understand how the Defense Department is ensuring the future of our EW capability.  I applaud the Armed Services Committee for accepting this amendment.  It will lead to a strategic advantage for our troops in the field.”

Congressman Larsen’s statement follows:

“As a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I first became involved in this issue because Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in my district is a leader in electronic warfare, a critical part of our national defense. Our Prowlers and Growlers, airborne electronic attack aircraft based on Whidbey Island, protect airborne assets and support our troops on the ground. Across the Armed Services, NAS Whidbey Island is the brain trust for electronic warfare training and expertise.

“The Navy, Army, Air Force and Marines all engage in Electronic Warfare in some form. This capability plays a more important role than ever in keeping the men and women in our military safe. That is why the Department of Defense needs a comprehensive and unified strategy to control the electromagnetic spectrum, and Congress needs to know what this strategy is.

“I thank my colleague Rep. Pitts for his leadership on electronic warfare, and my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee, in particular and Reps. Akin, Nye and Wittman for cosponsoring this amendment to strengthen our electronic warfare capabilities across the Armed Services.”

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