Electromagnetic Warfare Training

Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations require systems and operators that stay ahead of threat capabilities. While acquisition of improved EW capabilities occurs regularly, recently with record amounts of funding, the funding and resources dedicated to training to those capabilities typically lags. Efforts to increase EW training capabilities are occurring, but not at a pace that is required to meet potential 2027 wartime scenarios, and not in a manner integrated across the DoD.

My brief will cover current DoD and Service specific EW training efforts. I will describe some of the positive training aspects of Integrated Training Exercises, home-based training as well as areas needed for improvement. I will also cover some efforts to provide increased training capabilities in the future to include Live, Virtual, & Constructive systems, Emulators, and XR/VR training.

Speaker and Presenter Information

Nick Mollenhauer is a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia. He attended the Virginia Military Institute where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and received his commission as a Naval Officer. Following commissioning he reported to NAS Pensacola for Naval Flight Officer (NFO) training. He received his NFO wings in August 2001, became a qualified EA-6B Electronics Countermeasures Officer (ECMO) in Whidbey Island, WA a year later. As an ECMO Nick deployed twice with supporting combat operations during Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. During his first tour Nick graduated from the Prowler Tactics Instructor course and served as a Prowler squadron Training Officer.

In November 2005, Nick began the NFO to pilot transition. After earning his pilot�s wings he reported back to Whidbey Island where he qualified as an EA-6B pilot. He would go on another combat deployment supporting Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and NEW DAWN and then move Atsugi, Japan for two INDOPACOM deployments. He would also bring the last forward stationed EA-6Bs NAS Whidbey Island, Washington after 32 years of operation in Japan, and transitioned from the EA-6B Prowler to the EA-18G Growler.

Nick went on to graduate from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI before serving as a Deliberate Plans staff officer in the Plans, Policy, and Strategy (J-51) branch at USSOCOM. He would then go on to serve his last tour in the Navy as the Executive and Commanding Officer of an Expeditionary EA-18G Growler Squadron. He retired from the Navy in 2021. During his time in the Navy Nick logged nearly 3,000 tactical jet hours and over 300 arrested landings. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (4), Navy/Marine Commendation Medal (2), Navy/Marine Achievement Medal (3), Joint Service Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.

After the Navy, Nick was hired by 2 Circle Incorporated, a small Defense Consulting firm, as a Warfare Analyst. At 2 Circle he supported NAVAR proficiency-based training efforts, ALQ-99 performance improvement, EW LVC development, and next-generation mission planning development. He is currently a Director of the S Studies Group at 2 Circle and the Vice President of the Citrus Roost AOC Chapter. He and his family live in the Orlando, FL area.