In the
U.S. Air Force, an
electronic warfare officer (
EWO) is a trained
aerial navigator who has received training in enemy threat systems, electronic warfare principles and overcoming enemy
air defense systems . These officers are specialists in finding, identifying and countering air defense systems and also radar-, infrared- and optically guided
surface-to-air missiles,
anti-aircraft artillery as well as enemy
fighter planes. In aircraft that could penetrate enemy airspace EWOs protect their aircraft using radar
jamming, chaff and flares to deceive potential threats. In other aircraft EWOs work to gather
intelligence information on potential enemy air defense systems and communication systems.