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GUHOR Stick? What the heck is a GUHOR Stick and what does it have to do with SSD? Well, as some of you may know, I spent the first half of my career in the Army MI business, primarily as a SIGINTer. Since the Army in its infinite wisdom decided to dismantle and then stovepipe its IW capability over the past 25 years, I feel it’s important to revisit the history of the SIGINT business as it is recreated in the form of Cyber Electro Magnetic Activities, or CEMA.
The GUHOR Stick is one of the most important tool ever invented for the traffic analyst (TA). Solutions to the most intricate communications networks often began with this simple device.
No self-respecting TA was ever without one close at hand. Like the six-shooter of the old West, the analyst kept it at his or her side, always ready to draw- circles, boxes, and lines.
The GUHOR Stick, in its most recent and best known iteration, is merely a 6? by 1.5? clear plastic template. Its prime purpose is to facilitate the drawing of communications diagrams, although its secondary uses are endless. It comes equipped with a large circle at one end to draw control terminals, a smaller circle at the other end for outstations, and a small rectangle in the center for communications relays and collective (CQ) calls. The straight edges are used to connect these stations and show communications paths. With this tool, a #2 pencil (with extra erasers), some graph paper, and several pencils of various colored leads, the analyst of old was fully prepared to face any communications adversary.
GUHOR Stick! But where did this strange name come from? Putting my analytical skills to work, I set out to research the issue. To my surprise, there was a higher than expected number of individuals who had heard the name. Most were seasoned veterans from a mixture of professions, including linguists, reporters, managers, executives, and, naturally, traffic analysts. But there was more than a little discussion about what this device was and where its name originated.
The early returns were mixed, however. I was still searching for the definitive word. It was at this point when I began to get responses from members of a Communications Analysis Association (CAA) interest group. A number of seasoned veterans recounted their GUHOR experiences and, in a number of colorful responses, gave me what I believe to be the true scoop.
GUHOR Sticks as traffic analysis tools have been around for decades. Some CAA respondents remembered seeing or using them in one form or another from at least the early 1960s. Even so, a couple of questions remain unanswered. Who invented it? Why was it given this curious name? Someone out there knows. If you can solve the mystery, we (Station HYPO) are ready to hear a good story.
All this discussion about GUHOR Sticks may be moot. These devices are few and far between these days. The GUHOR Stick does not have a federal stock number. They were made in batches at NSA by special order; however, they are fast becoming collector items. With the advent software, many analysts are using computer graphics to diagram their targets. The traditional circles and lines on paper are becoming passé. Most GUHOR Sticks that are found are being employed for many a sundry task-not for crafting the intricate networks of old, but for drawing nondescript lines and symbols unrelated to the trade of traffic analysis.
Those on field duty in the Pacific used a similar device which they called a “pooka-maker.” Pooka is a Hawaiian word for “hole.”
Source: NSA CRYTPOLOG July, 1994 (MDR Case #54778)
Edited by Mario Vulcano
To read more history, visit Station HYPO.
Somehow, the Schrade MOE Multi-Purpose Demolition Tool escaped me when it came out in 2016.
MOE is a 14.75″ multi-purpose demolition tool, forged from heat treated, 1055 high carbon steel with a bending strength of 1843 lbs.
It features a five function head that includes:
-A fire axe
-A spine side hammer
-A beveled pry bar end
-An angled nail pull
-A 1-1/4″ spanner wrench / demolition claw
On the shaft there’s a main gas valve wrench.
The handle is wrapped with 550 paracord and there’s a flat pry bar with nail pull.
www.btibrands.com/product/schpb2bk-schrade-moe-multi-purpose-demolition-tool
It’s a nice tri-fold wallet made from 500D Cordura and has loads of features:
Multiple internal organizing slots and cardholders.
Internal zippered coin pocket.
Internal extend document slot.
Hypalon pen holder.
Dual paper money slots.
Paper money retention tab.
1″ wide Lanyard attachment loop.
Internal spring loaded clasp key holder.
Internal retention tie-down grommets.
Slots for business cards, flash drives, small tools.
External see-through zippered ID pocket.
www.emdomusa.com/Emdom-Master-Wallet-Digital-Camo
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — The Army’s newest electronic warfare vehicle was tested at the Army’s toughest training ground, the National Training Center in Fort Irwin California in January.
Electronic Warfare Soldiers from 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team “Greywolf,” 1st Cavalry Division conducted electronic attack and electronic support operations during the month-long exercise using the Electronic Warfare Tactical Vehicle (EWTV).
“Our main purpose was to provide support by denying communications to the enemy, jamming comms,” said Sgt. First Class Cristian Holguin, the EWTV team leader. “In addition we were able to listen in on FM communications from the enemy and detect enemy electronic signatures to use for call for fire missions.”
The brigade received the Army’s first dedicated electronic warfare vehicle in September of 2018 in time to test it out during the Brigade’s external evaluation, Pegasus Forge III, at Fort Hood, Texas. The team then provided feedback to the team at the Rapid Equipping Force, which had developed the vehicle.
“It’s like version one of the system. And for being version one it is a very good system,” said Holguin. “The folks at REF listened to our feedback following Pegasus Forge and actually were making upgrades to the vehicle as we were on ground at NTC.”
According to Staff Sgt. Darron McCracken, a EWTV operator, the shortened timetable between Pegasus Forge and NTC presented a challenge to the team, but they were able to overcome them and help integrate the system fully at the brigade and battalion-levels.
“Initially the battalions were a little skeptical of the system. Not only was it an asset they had to provide forces to help protect, but it’s a pretty big vehicle as well,” he said. “But once they saw what it could do and they benefited from its effects, they recognized the benefits of the system.”
The near-peer enemy along with the terrain and elements that the Brigade faced at NTC made it an ideal environment to test the EWTV. Once the force-on-force fight was completed, the team conducted situational training that helped further test the capabilities of the vehicle.
“We worked on finding ways to better improve our jamming and detection capabilities,” said Staff Sgt. Francisco Becerra, a EWTV Operator. “For instance, we learned by raising the antenna two more inches we were able to getter better lines of bearing. These are things that you can’t necessarily test out in the middle of a fight.”
Measuring the performance of the vehicle at NTC was sometimes difficult to do since there was no immediate feedback through real time measures and sensors. According to Holguin it is something that NTC is working to improve, however they were able to validate and measure effects in other ways.
“There are two aspects of performance. Performance of the equipment and performance of the teams themselves,” Holguin said. “And I think we’ve accomplished more than we expected for integration and employment; having and using the EWTV validated our position as an effective asset on the battlefield.”
Greywolf was the first to test the vehicle in an austere environment against a near-peer foe, but they won’t be the last. The EWTVs belong to III Corps and are being moved to other units so that their teams can test them and add their inputs to improve the system.
“The intent is to take all of the lessons learned and build on it,” said McCracken. “Towards the end of the process we will have an SOP, something that is predictable and can be translated across the Army.”
When asked if, after testing it out at NTC, they felt it was an effective system, McCracken answered, “Absolutely. Absolutely.”
The new vehicle was developed to provide Army Electronic Warfare Teams with the ability to detect and attack in the electromagnetic spectrum from an operationally relevant range at the brigade combat team level. It was developed by the Rapid Equipping Force to give the Army’s Brigade Combat Team a dedicated electronic warfare vehicle.
By CPT Scott Kuhn
One of the coolest things at SHOT Show was something I didn’t even get to see because I attended several private Range days and it was exhibited by Liberty Dynamic at the Official Industry Range Day. The Enhanced Diversionary Device is much more than a “Stun Grenade,” it is actually a reloadable, digitally fused fuel air explosive device.
Little work has been done over the years to modernize Noise and Flash Diversionary Devices. Traditional devices are flammable and produce smoke as well as secondary frag from loose items being propelled during detonation. Over a decade ago, Sandia National Lab produced a developmental fuel air device, but it was never commercialized.
Liberty Dynamic was co-founded by former Recon Marine John Chapman.
Liberty Dynamic developed their own technology, the Enhanced Diversionary Device, a digital fuse FAE device which produces a thermobaric event using a binary energetic material. This means that it is not BATFE controlled. Update: Liberty Dynamic updated us with a clarification regarding BATFE oversight of the EDD. The energetic is not regulated in its binary form. However, once it is combined and attached to a fuse, it is, in fact, regulated.
Cartridges are reloadable. The combustible aluminum is atomized in free space, outside of the device, creating a dust cloud which when ignited produces a report of 175 dB and 9 million candela. However, unlike the output cap on current tech, the Enhanced Diversionary Device offers scalable output. As they increase the FAE event, it produces a more potent dB output.
Due to the combustion outside of the device, it remains cool and intact, ready to be reloaded.
The Smart Fuse enables a precise customizable detonation sequence. However, it is set at the factory, based upon user TTPs. Thanks to this digital fuse technology, you’ll get at least a hundred uses from the device. Additionally, tri-color LEDs indicate device condition. Finally, any deployment failure and the device renders safe in 60 seconds.
In addition to offering training systems, the Enhanced Diversionary Device can be configured for deployment from a sUAS.
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