Delta 26 Holds Inaugural Cyber Spartan Challenge on the NSTTC-C

Published March 21, 2024
Space Training and Readiness Command Public Affairs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Understanding the critical interdependence between cyber and space operations, where each domain mutually reinforces the other, is key to modern warfare. Cyber serves as a backbone for space operations, ensuring its seamless execution, while space technologies enhance the scope and capabilities of cyber operations.

In line with this integrated approach, Delta 26, utilizing the National Space Test and Training Complex - Cyber (NSTTC-C), hosted its inaugural Cyber Spartan Challenge 24-1, from Jan. 23-26 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla.

This event brought together 41 cyber operators from all six active Delta 26 cyber squadrons, including the 660th Network Operations Squadron (NOS), 661st Cyber Operations Squadron (COS), 662d Cyber Squadron (CYS), 663rd CYS, and 664th CYS, supported by Delta 6’s 645th CYS, along with two NSTTC-C Range Control Officers (RCOs) from the 11th Delta Operations Squadron (DOS)/S9.

With an emphasis on operational readiness, the Delta 26-led challenge focused on defending National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) space mission systems, denying adversary operational advantage, and providing options to hold hostile forces at risk.

During the Cyber Spartan 24-1, the squadrons executed defensive cyber operations across the simulated terrain while 11th DOS/S9’s range controllers upheld range environments meeting 100 percent of Delta 26’s desired learning objectives.

Delta 26’s Operations Support Division led the overall training event with deliverables to develop the event concept, scheme of maneuver, and specific training requirements.

Major Ryan Galaz served as the Exercise Coordinator while Tech. Sgt. James Dean and Sgt. Bryan Vasquez were evaluators. The cyber aggressor team included Capt. Jonathan Hemingway, Sgt. Andres Coronado, Sgt. Michael Sanders, and Sgt. Jason Donnelly.

According to Galaz, “Cyber Spartan 24-1 was carefully crafted to not only test the operational readiness of each squadron, but to also prepare the cyber defenders for their role in the Great Power Competition.”

11th DOS/S9 led the range delivery of the event with RCOs Tech. Sgt. Austin Livengood and Sgt. Kelton Gillespie. These RCOs maintained the NSTTC-C environment with several effective range authority calls, weighed requested range modifications or range issue fixes, and upheld desired training objectives.

This two-part event tested the offensive and defensive skillsets of the Delta 26’s cyber operators. Each squadron fielded a two-person team to compete, and the winners were determined by a point accumulation across both parts of the series.

Phases of the event were carefully developed or selected to maximize its training value. The first part of the event was a simulated attack against the NRO that challenged each team’s ability to rapidly detect, identify, and report malicious cyber activity.

Competitors from the CYSs defended their key cyber terrain within the range environments. Injects replicated tactics and techniques utilized by NRO relevant Advanced Persistent Threats. Teams earned points based upon the timeliness and accuracy of their Network Activity Reports.

The second part of the event was a “Capture the Flag” style event hosted by Hack the Box. Competitors endured 18 challenges in four categories: Web Server, Hardware, Machine Exploitation, and Forensics. In the Forensics category, participants had to not only analyze malicious documents, files, and processes, but had an additional task to analyze a network capture of the Atlassian Confluence Vulnerability exploit.

Teams earned points by completing the challenges, with their value directly corresponding to its difficulty.

Cyber Spartan 24-1 executed various attacks and exploits that utilized more than a dozen different techniques from the MITRE ATT&CK Framework.

“The goal of the event was two-fold: to challenge an operator’s ability to operate in a contested environment and to test their ability to adapt to an adversary’s evolving tactics in a time-constrained environment,” said Galaz. “Future events will increase the complexity and scale of the attacks to close the gap between the Defensive and Offensive operators.”

Tech. Sgt. Roland Averitt and Tech. Sgt. Houston Smith, both from the 661st COS, were victorious after two days of defending their enclaves against an aggressive adversary and working through various complex challenges.

Judges also selected Averitt as the overall Top Performer and Coronado earned the “most aggressive” aggressor honor.

Upon conclusion of the event, each team developed lessons learned in which Delta 26 will utilize for future training events and exercises to increase the knowledge and capability of each operator.

“This cyber exercise signifies a step forward in achieving SPAFORGEN objectives but also highlights the delivery of NSTTC-C to meet critical NRO and STARCOM Lines of Effort,” Galaz said. “The successful execution of this event delivered force preparedness capabilities to meet the challenges of the Space Force's unique and dynamic cyber landscape.”