SETAF-AF, 173rd Airborne sharpen spectrum analysis skills with Italian partners

VICENZA, Italy - Spectrum managers from U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and the 173rd Airborne Brigade tested their ability to operate in complex electromagnetic environments during a recent trial with Italian Carabinieri partners in Longare, Italy.

The exercise, conducted with the Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units (CoESPU), as well as partners from the Arma dei Carabinieri at CoESPU's Longare training area, challenged Soldiers to analyze live data streams while contending with adverse weather and network clutter. The scenario replicated electromagnetic challenges Soldiers can often encounter during deployments to hostile regions, forcing them to apply tactics, techniques and procedures under realistic conditions and meet defined training standards.

"The system can pick up frequencies up to 26.5 gigahertz," said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Ahmed Idris, a network operations noncommissioned officer assigned to SETAF-AF. "Anything transmitting a frequency, the system will detect."

That broad coverage range proved vital during baseline runs when analysts identified unexpected spikes and traced them to common sources. In one instance, exercise participants identified a distinct radio frequency emitted from a camera, underscoring the importance of establishing a clear baseline and building familiarity with the electromagnetic environment.

The system used in the trial is designed primarily to receive and catalog frequencies.

Operators set a baseline of normal emissions, then monitor for anomalies that indicate new or unusual activity. When a new emitter appears, analysts can localize it and pass the intelligence to other teams for follow-on action. In practice, that can mean differentiating between routine civilian chatter, interfering signals from local services, and emitters that warrant deeper investigation.

The training also emphasized the administrative side of spectrum operations. Usage of frequencies is a national resource that requires authorization, and allocations vary from country to country. Without proper requests, units risk interference fines. This highlighted the importance of planning and coordination, especially in Africa where processes for spectrum management differ significantly from Europe.

Support from the Carabinieri and CoESPU was essential.

"The trial conducted this week was successful in a number of ways," said Roy Cullipher, spectrum manager assigned to SETAF-AF. "Our Italian counterparts enabled U.S. Soldiers to experience the complexities inherent in real-world operations, providing site access, local expertise and a live training environment with a NATO ally."

SETAF-AF's communications directorate and information operations division worked together with counterparts from the 173rd Airborne Brigade, using the event to test spectrum-analysis equipment. This training supports missions focused on countering improvised explosive devices by cataloging radio emitters and building a clearer picture of the electromagnetic signature of suspected devices.

For Soldiers on the ground, the exercise was both a technical test and a proof of concept. Beyond detecting emitters, the training reinforced communications discipline, such as avoiding congestion, requesting authorized bands and knowing when to adjust to maintain reliable operations.

Although an official mutual agreement still needs finalizing, the approach could allow SETAF-AF and the 173rd to build a recurring training program with NATO allies in their own backyard, saving time and resources while strengthening partnerships.

"This exercise represents a significant achievement in advancing the capabilities of our spectrum managers, as well as strengthening the partnership with CoESPU and our Italian allies," Cullipher said.

About 173rd Airborne Brigade

The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward stationed in Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to enhance readiness and lethality.

About SETAF-AF

SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.

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