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National Guard units across multiple states prepared themselves this month to defend against the most advanced cyberthreats known today in a variety of technologically sophisticated simulation exercises.
On the West Coast, the California Air National Guard's 163rd Attack Wing used a brand-new cyber defense training facility to practice fighting an array of complex threats.
"Recognizing the critical need for every Airman in cyber to be fluent in defense operations, our unit took the initiative to stand up a Cyber Defense Training Facility, built from the ground up with what we had on hand," said Capt. Shawn Ripley, the director of operations for the 163rd communications flight, in a release.
"No extra funding. No surge in manpower — just a team of committed professionals who understand that mission readiness begins with technical proficiency."
In the Midwest, the Missouri Air Guard's 139th Operations Group launched a four-day exercise called Operation Goes Dark — a daring test of skills in this digital age which simulated a cyberattack that knocked out internet access, GPS, landlines, cell phone usage and teleworked printers.
With little wireless technology available, air crews had to fly the C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft without GPS and other digital tools, instead using onboard systems on their aircraft to gauge wind speed and relying on printed maps to calculate their time en route.
The simulated "downing" of other internet technology presented support staff with similar challenges. The exercise also tested the use of satellite phones as a cell phone alternative. It was a great success.
The East Coast saw Space Force personnel participate for the first time in the New Hampshire Army Guard's exercise Cyber Yankee 2025, which mirrored a massive cyberattack affecting New England.
In the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area, both the Maryland Air Guard and Virginia Air Guard are ramping up their efforts to cooperate in cyberspace.
The Maryland ANG's 175th Cyberspace Operations Group took part in Locked Shields 2025, hosted by NATO in Tallinn, Estonia — this time, with two members of the Virginia Air National Guard with them, as they plan to introduce joint training.
The NATO-led exercise tested the participants' skills to the limit, as defenders were tasked with repelling attacks made against more than 8,000 systems, including telecom networks, government networks and infrastructure.
— By Zita Fletcher, with reports from Maj. Eve Derfelt (California), Michael Crane (Missouri), Airman 1st Class Sarah Hoover (Maryland), and Sgt. Kelly Boyer (New Hampshire)
