Jan 10

The South African Electronic Warfare Association

Aardvark

Roost

Message from the President

Jan 2010

An Exciting 2010 Ahead

It is fascinating that most people tend to be excited and somehow optimistic at the start of a new year. In a way this is surprising because experience has proved again and again that in most cases very little actually happens during a year that justifies the excitement and optimism we had at the beginning of the year!

The excitement that accompanied the dawn of 2010 appears to be no exception. There is however perhaps a bit more justification for being excited about 2010 than usual. The Soccer World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world by quite a margin and judging from the visible preparations for the event, we can look forward to an occasion that will rightfully make all South Africans proud.

Witnessing new infrastructure like the Gautrain project becoming a reality as well as the upgrading of other transport related infrastructure is astonishing. Work on roads and airports seem to be happening everywhere! The new stadiums that have arisen in many cities and towns can only be described as spectacular and the numbers mentioned in connection with the accommodation that is already in place for tourists and spectators is to say the least, quite amazing.

The role this has played in providing investments and work for South Africa in the face of the world wide recession and the boost the economy will further receive when the visitors start pouring in for the event, is something we should really be thankful for.

It also brings huge responsibilities for all South Africans to help make the event a success – even by just being helpful and nice to visitors when and where we run into them!

The responsibility however goes much further for our people in uniform as they are more directly involved to ensure a safe environment for everyone - before, during and after the occasion.

EW in today’s unsure world involves much more than just the traditional responsibilities towards own military forces. The threat that terror and crime organisations pose to peace, stability and the way people live their daily lives, demands that all assets of the state be used to counter these threats – especially during an event such as the World Cup!

We therefore trust that things will go well and to all our involved uniformed EW colleagues, be aware that there are people who appreciate your efforts and that your motivation and dedication for the ongoing task is indeed admired.

Activities for 2010

The success of the two “Little Crow” conferences held in 2009 confirmed that the concept works in the RSA. As was previously also discussed and decided, we will arrange big two day conferences with international participation only every second year, alternating the event with AAD.

We therefore plan the following three half day “Little Crow” conferences for 2010:

- At IMT in Simons Town on the 21^st of April (maritime EW focus).

- At the SAAF EW Centre on the 21st of July (airborne EW focus).

- At the CSIR on the 13th of October (emphasis on EW technology).

Please note that the date for the third conference as previously mentioned on the web site, has moved forward from November to October the 13^th.

The board is currently also investigating the cost implications of doing some refinements to our logo based on inputs received last year. Once a decision has been made, some promotional items will be made which will also be for sale to members of the EW community.

It was further decided that the Aardvark Roost will invest in some awards for the best candidate on some identified EW course in the SANDF. The idea behind this is to provide some additional motivation for students on courses as well as to promote EW and the AOC in general. The awards will consist of floating trophies, certificates, a letter to the candidate’s Commanding Officer as well as a year’s AOC subscription.

More detail will be made available during the course of 2010.

Best wishes for 2010

I received this very fitting SMS from a friend on the first of January which I want to share with all of you:

May 2010 surprise us with all it’s good fortune and may our soccer team at least try their very best!

Regards

Gerrie Radloff

(President of the Aardvark Roost)