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Q-4 Seahawks, 1st Radio Bn. get signals straight in Yuma desert

Marine Corps News

Story Identification #: 20041214113310
Story by Cpl. Rocco DeFilippis

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. (Dec. 14, 2004) -- It happens in a matter of minutes. A team of signal intelligence operators intercepts an enemy transmission. Gathering information from the signals, they contact EA-6B Prowlers flying high above. The Prowlers jam their communication, and just like that, the enemy has lost their command and control.

What happened is part of a new electronic warfare doctrine that integrates signal intelligence operators on the ground with Prowlers in the air. The doctrine, currently in the works at Exercise Desert Talon here, complements both sides' weakness to create a versatile and highly effective electronic assault.

Working in six-man teams, signal intelligence operators have been traveling to and from training areas and ranges surrounding Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., providing indication and warnings to convoys in addition to working with the Prowlers.

"We are integrating our capabilities with the capabilities of the EA-6B community for electronic warfare," said 2nd Lt. Noelle R. Navas, 1st Radio Battalion detachment officer-in-charge, and a native of Scottsdale, Ariz. "Our end goal is to make the call for non-kinetic fire, such as jamming, have the same structure as the call for kinetic fires."

The 1st Radio Battalion Marines, out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., are working to establish a solid standard operating procedure with the Marines of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-4 out of MCAS Cherry Point, N.C.

The training here allows junior pilots and electronic countermeasure officers more time to become familiar with the new procedure.

"Most of the newer pilots have a good understanding of how to suppress surface to air missile sights, but the communications' side of electronic warfare is a lot different," said Capt. Brent A. Crews, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1 EA-6B instructor and a native of Gulf Breeze, Fla. "(Desert Talon) exposes them to that piece, and helps familiarize them with equipment they haven't used before."

The integration of signal intelligence Marines and Prowler crews is happening in Iraq, and as the success of the marriage grows, the amount of missions continues to increase.

Desert Talon provides a controlled training environment for both the Marines on the ground and in the air to hone their skills in the new field.

"(The training) is helping work out the small details and familiarize us with the concepts," said 1st Lt. Lawrence C. Turner, VMAQ-4 electronic countermeasures officer, and native of Senoia, Ga. "Although it can be confusing at times, its better to work out the kinks here than in Iraq."

"The training here at Desert Talon is critical," Crews said. "Unlike training in garrison, out here you've got all the different aviation and ground assets that are working together as they are in Iraq. The pilots and ECMOs can see all the moving parts that make up the bigger picture."

Working long hours in the Arizona desert, the VMAQ-4, MAWTS-1, and 1st Radio Battalion electronic warfare Marines are continuing to refine and streamline the process of calling for electronic fires.

"This new procedure is a part of command and control warfare," Crews said. "Take away the enemy's ability to command and control his forces, and he is basically forced to shut down, just like dropping a bomb on his head."