The Dixie Crows Chapter, of the Association of Old Crows will host its 42^nd annual symposium to be held in Warner Robins at the Museum of Aviation, Robins AFB, Georgia.  This year’s theme “Combating the Other Threat - Cyber Security in EW, Avionics and ISR” will highlight the importance of  Electronic Warfare systems and the vital role that Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance provides in protecting our warfighters on today’s modern battlefield. Over 50 vendors will be present to exhibit some of the latest hardware and new applications that are the leading edge in technology.

Robins Air Force Base personnel play a vital role in managing, maintaining, and supporting a wide range of equipment and programs and the Dixie Crow Chapter takes pride each year in recognizing their accomplishments by presenting individual and team awards to thank them for their service.

The symposium will get underway with the Hospitality Suite, to welcome this year’s participants, opening up on Sunday, 19 March at the Marriott Courtyard in Warner Robins from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.  Exhibitors will begin setting up booths on Monday morning at the Museum of Aviation but for participants not involved with exhibits and are looking for something to do on Monday, 20 March our John Wayne Carter Invitational Golf Tournament will be held at the Landings Golf Course just south of the base at Statham’s Landing.  Information and registration for the golf tournament can be found on-line at: http://dixiecrow42.org.

Registration will be open at the Marriott on Sunday evening as well as the Landings during the Golf tournament on Monday for anyone that could not register the night before.  Walk-Up registration will be available at the Century of Flight Hangar; Museum of Aviation on Tuesday from 7:00 AM until 6:00 PM and again on Wednesday from 7:00 AM until 12:00 PM.  Onsite registration will be available but participants are urged to pre-register online by going to http://dixiecrow42.org.

The symposium’s technical program will begin Tuesday morning, 21 March, at the Museum of Aviation’s Eagle Building, Scott Theatre, with the Plenary Session getting under way at 8:00 AM.  Guests will be welcomed by Mr. Matthew Bryant, Dixie Crow President.  Col Brady Hauboldt, Deputy PEO, Agile Combat Support will assist with presentation of Annual EW/ISR awards dispersed in a variety of categories to recognize individuals and teams for their outstanding contributions to the fields of Electronic Warfare and Information Operations at Robins Air Force Base.  This year’s Key Note Speaker will be Mr. Mitchell Miller, Technical Advisor, Avionics Development and Integration, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.   We are very fortunate this year to welcome Dr. William Conley, Deputy Director, EW, OUSD (AT&L)/A/Tactical Warfare Systems, as our guest speaker for our classified sessions.  Additionally this year we will welcome back MGen Ken Israel, USAF (ret.) as a quest speaker.  AF Technical Program information can be found at: http://www.crows.org/chapters/dixie-crow-technical-program.html.  Instructions for sending a visit request to attend the classified sessions are located on the website.

Exhibits will open in the Century of Flight Hangar Tuesday morning, March 21st, at 11:00 a.m.  That evening Col Stolz, will welcome all attendees at the Exhibitors’ Reception running from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM.  Along with the exhibits on Tuesday afternoon, our first session of our Technical Program kicks off beginning at 12:30 PM through 4:30 PM in the Eagle Building.  The Technical Programs will run throughout the day on Wednesday, 8:00 AM through 4:30 PM, with access to the exhibits from 10:00 AM until they close at 3:00 PM Wednesday afternoon.  All those that wish to view the exhibits should register, free on-line at the registration site provided above.

The Crow’s N.E.S.T. (Novel Experiments with Science & Technology) is a new program that is gaining in popularity with local students and area schools.   Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Robotics displays and technology demonstrations, with interactive experiences will be on display Wednesday, 22 March from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM.  The technology demonstrations are a collaborative effort between local military, government civil service, academia, defense industry, and volunteers designed to inspire students to pursue STEM careers.  Interaction with the robotics displays and technology demonstrations will demonstrate to students that STEM can be both fun and engaging.  Enthusiastic workers in STEM fields will also be on hand to answer questions and help students learn how they can prepare to enter the exciting world of STEM.  If you ever wondered what a U-2 pilot wears during an operational reconnaissance mission, this is your opportunity to see an actual pilot flight suit.  

Wednesday’s events will be capped off by our Annual Banquet held in Hangar One of the Museum of Aviation from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM that evening with Lt Col Gene “Joker” McFalls acting as emcee. We are honored this year to welcome Ms. Jacqueline Janning-Lask, Director of Engineering, AFPEO Agile Combat Support as our guest speaker.  Tickets are required and may be purchased via the registration link.

Dixie Crow Technical Symposium 42 wraps up with Technical  EW/ISR Short Courses that will be offered at the Eagle Building in the Scott Theatre; Museum of Aviation from 8:00 AM through 12:00 PM on Thursday morning, 23 March.  The two courses presented will be DRFM and Cyber Security for EW.  Security information is located at:  http://www.crows.org/chapters/dixie-crow-technical-program.html