FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. – U.S. Cyber Command has concluded CYBER FLAG 24-2, marking a significant milestone as the first iteration of the exercise to incorporate Offensive Cyberspace Operations, August 30.
This year’s event helped to certify offensive cyber mission teams, enhance overall mission readiness and improve coordination among participating Five Eyes partners. Five Eyes partners are: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
“The purpose of CYBER FLAG 24-2 was to provide a certification opportunity for offensive mission teams conducting Offensive Cyberspace Operations (OCO), to improve mission readiness, and enhance FVEY coordination,” Brett Dearman, Branch Chief - Tactical Exercises, USCYBERCOM said.
Previous CYBER FLAG exercises focused on Defensive Cyberspace Operations. This year’s inclusion of OCO represents a strategic shift in the exercise’s scope.
“This was the first iteration of CYBER FLAG where we incorporated OCO, previously Cyber Flag has been exclusively a Defensive Cyberspace Operations exercise. We anticipate taking lessons learned and improving the overall exercise as well as increase the participation level,” Dearman added.
This year’s exercise included teams from several countries including, but not limited to the United States and New Zealand. However, New Zealand did not participate as part of the training audience rather they served as the exercise control, acting as the adversary defensive cyber team.
Planning for CYBER FLAG 24-2 began in December 2023, reflecting the extensive preparation and coordination required for such a complex exercise.
“We have been executing defensive Cyber Flag since 2014, so this year’s shift to an offensive Cyber Flag exercise shows how the program is maturing,” Dearman noted.
CYBER FLAG 24-2 represents a pivotal development in how USCYBERCOM trains and operationalizes its capabilities, and it sets the stage for future exercises that will continue to evolve and expand the scope of cyber operations to meet future challenges.
For Air Force, 1st Lt. Bennett Houston, an analysis section officer in charge, Air Combat Command, 375th Cyber Operations Squadron, CYBER FLAG 24-2 was an opportunity to bridge the disciplines and connect the dots between intelligence and cyber.
“As an intelligence officer, I am new to cyber,” Houston said, “But being able to work with our Five Eyes partners toward a common goal has really afforded me an opportunity to not only understand how they work, but understand better how we work. For example, when I see how and why they prioritize certain things it helps me place into a broader context how and why we (the United States) prioritize things.”
USCYBERCOM plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the United States’ national security by defending the Department of Defense Information networks and critical infrastructure against cyber threats. Its mission encompasses both offensive and defensive cyber operations, ensuring the integrity, availability and confidentiality of vital information systems. By leveraging advanced technologies, including AI, USCYBERCOM serves on the front line of the information environment to defeat and deter adversaries who might otherwise try to exploit vulnerabilities within the information environment.
Through collaboration with various defense components and continuous innovation, USCYBERCOM is committed to maintaining a resilient and secure cyberspace, thereby protecting the nation’s interests and supporting global stability.