Aggressors train Space Airmen Published July 31, 2007 By 57th Adversary Tactics Support Squadron NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. - -- Aggressors from the 57th Adversary Tactics Group here traveled to Peterson AFB, Colo., July 9 - 20 to train Airmen at Air Force Space Command to defeat space, cyberspace and information operations threats. The total force team, composed of personnel from the 527th Space Aggressor Squadron, the 26th Space Aggressor Squadron (reserves), the 57th Information Aggressor Squadron and the 177th Information Aggressor Squadron (Air National Guard), employed threat-representative systems and tactics to assess the security of AFSPC computer networks and facilities. In addition to identifying and helping to mitigate vulnerabilities, the team presented more than 17 hours of academics on potential threats and countermeasures. "The 57th Adversary Tactics Group provided invaluable insight into potential areas of vulnerability for our wing," said Col. Jay Raymond, 21st Space Wing commander. "Even more importantly, the training they gave to our functional experts will provide a lasting benefit well after the team has left our base." The Space and Information Aggressors are an integral part of the 57th ATG. As "Threats Central" for the Air Force, the group's mission is to replicate the full spectrum of adversary air, surface-to-air, space and cyberspace threats and train U.S., allied and partner nation air forces to defeat them. Simply put, they play the role of the bad guys during major exercises such as Blue Flag, Red Flag-Nellis, Red Flag-Alaska, Maple Flag, and Virtual Flag, as well as Aggressor road shows. The Air Force faces many challenges as it seeks to gain and maintain dominance in the space, cyberspace and infospace arena. Earlier this year, China successfully tested an anti-satellite weapon that could be used against U.S. satellites supporting operations in the Pacific theater. DoD networks are under continual attack by hackers, foreign governments, terrorist groups, and transnational organizations determined to disable or disrupt our command and control systems or extract information from them. In an era of shrinking budgets and fewer new acquisition programs, the training provided by the 57th ATG remains key to preparing our forces to defeat these threats - now and in the future.
