MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The Electromagnetic Defense Task Force Summit 2.0 kicked off April 29, at the Air University, bringing more than 300 military and civilian leaders from NATO and across the nation to look at threats and responses to challenges in the electromagnetic spectrum.
The second summit follows one held last August in Maryland, and includes several tabletop exercises centered around research questions developed with the Joint Chiefs of Staff that are designed to drive discussions about responding to an electromagnetic pulse.
“Since 1945, we’ve built Western civilization on the foundation of the electromagnetic spectrum and other great powers will look to leverage our reliance on that domain,” said Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast, Air Education and Training Command commander. “During this summit, we will be channeling ideas that have been out there, be clever about building resilience into our systems and look at how we respond and recover from malicious activity.”
This summit follows the Executive Order signed by President Donald Trump in March, directing the government to coordinate national resilience to electromagnetic pulses.
The order details the policy of the government as preparing “for the effects of electromagnetic pulses through targeted approaches that coordinate whole-of-government activities and encourage private-sector engagement.”
“Hosting EDTF 2.0 is just another step in Air University being the destination for solving the most vexing challenges facing our Air Force and the nation,” said Lt. Gen. Anthony Cotton, Air University commander and president. “The summit attendees will find the breakouts incredibly instructive as they work to develop actionable items.”
The Air University faculty and staff facilitated each breakout session; guiding discussions on 5G, electromagnetic pulse effects, quantum networks and other topics.