General Anthony Highlights Joint EMSO Center's EMSSS Accomplishments

In Wednesday's keynote address, Maj Gen AnnMarie Anthony, Director of the Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Center (JEC) at US Strategic Command, discussed her organization's role in pursuing the goals of the DOD's EMS Superiority Strategy Implementation Plan (EMSSS IP). The IP, which was approved by the Secretary of Defense in 2021, is aimed at executing the five goals identified in the 2020 EMSSS: 1) develop superior EMS capabilities; 2) evolve to an agile, fully integrated EMS structure; 3) pursue total force EMS readiness; 4) secure enduring partnerships for EMS advantage; and 5) establish effective EMS governance. The first four goals fall under the responsibility of the JEC, which stood up in 2023. In fact, standing up the JEC was integral to pursuing these goals.

Among the EMSSS IP accomplishments, the development of a new Electromagnetic Battle Management (EMBM) tool has been a top priority. General Anthony said, "The Joint Force and Services are aggressively refining concepts to better coordinate, prioritize, integrate and synchronize spectrum fires and maneuvers. Additionally, we have started fueling advanced systems like the Electromagnetic Battle Management Tool-Joint, also known as EMBM-J, that allows Joint Force commanders to quickly understand the electromagnetic operating environment, decide the best course of action to gain advantage, and then rapidly execute."

She added, "EMBMJ is just the start. Each service is developing and refining their EMSO planning and execution systems as well. These component and tactical level systems will link to and feed our joint systems, enabling common situational awareness and synchronization of execution. Additionally, we are working with our department and joint partners to not only modernize, but to transform our entire ecosystem of EMS tools, databases and infrastructure to meet our needs today and well into the future."

General Anthony said another EMSSS area where the JEC is making progress is to enable dynamic spectrum sharing between DOD and commercial users. She explained, "In accordance with the President's National Spectrum Strategy, the Department, in cooperation with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, is studying ways to dynamically share portions of the spectrum to permit coexistence of incumbent military systems and private sector telecommunications equipment. These dynamic spectrum sharing studies are funding government, academia and industry research that explores a wide range of solutions. They have developed novel approaches that adapt signals to the environment."

She further said, "In concert with these technological advances we have doggedly pursued updates to policy, doctrine and training to ensure that we have the tools that are built and are readily incorporated into everyday operations, and we have an EMSO smart workforce to apply these new tools and doctrine. Regarding policy, we have recently updated our policies to better organize EMS operations within the Joint Force and integrated these efforts with the World Radio Communication Conference processes to ensure global coordination. We also redesigned the Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Theater Operations course … and introduced the Joint Electromagnetic Operations Planners course to better prepare our personnel for the complexities of joint EMS operation."

Another area where the JEC has made progress is integrating EMSO into major joint exercises. "Over the past year, we incorporated JEMSO into major exercises within INDOPACOM, EUCOM, SPACECOM, and STRATCOM, as well as training with our partners and allies such as Australia, NATO and Japan," she explained. "Our efforts and assessments have commenced pinpointing critical areas for improvement and development. This ensures that the Joint Force is well prepared to maintain EMS superiority over peer competitors even within a contested, congested and constrained EMS environment."

On a related note, STRATCOM recently signed a memorandum of agreement with combatant commanders and 3-star-level flag officers holding key EMSO positions of responsibility to enable the JEC to assess readiness of Joint operational JEMSO capabilities and identify gaps during major exercises.

General Anthony also discussed developing EMSO professionals. "EMSO training and education has been a core effort of the JEC over the past 12 months," she said, "and we have continued to maintain a close cooperation between the government, military stakeholders, and academic institutions. Specifically, our increased integration with academia has opened up new education pathways for both civilian and military EMSO personnel to ensure that we continue to expand our cadre of EMSO experts and increasing EMSO education is perhaps the most critical driver to future success in spectrum operations." She said the JEC has worked to increase EMSO-centric content in Joint professional military education and, within STRATCOM, has helped to develop plans to offer courses in areas such as physics, project management and electrical engineering, to improve its ability to plan and execute operations to achieve EMS superiority.

General Anthony said the JEC is pursuing several other EMSSS goals in the future, and it will continue to work with US forces and allies to achieve them. Her main message is that the EMSSS IP is moving forward, and the JEC will continue to make progress and improve EMSO in multiple areas.