HARTFORD, Conn. –
In the summer of 2014, then-CPT Cameron Sprague returned to Connecticut after serving as a full-time Communications Flight Commander in the Ohio Air National Guard. A seasoned Cyber Operations Officer, Sprague had transitioned to a cybersecurity role in the private sector but remained committed to his military service. He sought new ways to contribute his expertise without an active role in his traditional Guard capacity.
While serving in Ohio, Sprague had witnessed then-MAJ (now MG) Teri Williams discuss forming a joint Army-Air cyber response team within the Ohio National Guard. Inspired by this concept, he connected with then-CPT Ryan Miller, an old colleague from the Hartford Armory, to explore similar opportunities in Connecticut.
Miller had just been assigned to the Connecticut National Guard’s Computer Network Defense Team, a small but dedicated group recently returning from the Cyber Guard 2014 national exercise at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Recognizing the potential for further development, Sprague and Miller began planning additional cyber training, reaching out to counterparts in Massachusetts. Their collaboration led to joint training exercises at Hanscom Air Force Base and laid the foundation for a larger initiative.
By 2015, Cyber Yankee was born—a regional cyber defense exercise hosted at Hanscom AFB, bringing together New England’s National Guard cyber elements. The inaugural event was a resounding success, with Connecticut and Massachusetts leading two Blue Teams in a field of 80 participants. Connecticut’s role in Cyber Yankee continued to grow, solidifying its position as a key player in regional cyber defense efforts.
The partnership between Sprague and Miller yielded significant dividends for the Connecticut National Guard. Together, they formalized the Connecticut National Guard Joint Cyber Team, pivotal in shaping the state’s cybersecurity strategy. In 2018, with the strong backing of Connecticut’s Adjutant General, MG Francis Evon, and Assistant Adjutant General, BG Jerry McDonald, the team expanded its mission, launching initiatives such as the Cyber Nutmeg exercise and conducting election cybersecurity audits. The state also began to gain dedicated cyber force structure, with the standup of Det 1, 146th Cyber Warfare Company (CWC).
During the 2020 election cycle, their efforts proved critical when the Connecticut National Guard provided municipalities with cybersecurity training and risk assessments. Secretary of State, Denise Merrill recognized their contributions with the National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion, highlighting their role in safeguarding the state’s electoral process against cyber threats. These assessments were such a success that the Connecticut National Guard continued the mission with additional rounds across Connecticut in 2022 and 2025.
The team’s influence extended beyond Connecticut’s borders. In 2019, MAJ Sprague led components of a national cyber exercise in Uruguay, strengthening international cybersecurity partnerships. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, the Joint Cyber Team remained operational, responding to a major cyberattack against the City of Hartford. Their swift actions restored critical services across city agencies and schools, reinforcing the Guard’s reputation as a cyber defense leader. Finally, the 146th CWC Det 1 was mobilized multiple times to serve as part of the cyber forces under the U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM), most recently in 2023-2024. Connecticut National Guard soldiers from the 146th CWC Det 1 were some of the very first National Guard soldiers to become fully qualified in USCYBERCOM-specific work roles, leading the way across the National Guard cyber formation.
In 2025, Connecticut’s Joint Cyber Team will be a premier organization within the Connecticut National Guard. Hosting Cyber Yankee at Camp Nett in 2022 and 2023 and earning recognition in congressional testimony from the USCYBERCOM Commander, the team has become a national model for cyber operations. Under the leadership of COL Sprague and LTC (P) Miller, the Connecticut National Guard continues to shape the future of cyber defense, ensuring a strong and secure digital landscape for years to come.