FORT DEVENS, Mass. –
Blending cyber warfare skills with traditional Soldier tasks, Connecticut Guardsmen joined counterparts in Massachusetts to compete in the 126th Cyber Protection Battalion Commander’s Cup, a high-stakes, multi-domain competition that tested their physical, technical, and tactical readiness.
The event brought together Soldiers from across the 126th Cyber Protection Battalion, with teams representing the battalion’s cyber warfare, cybersecurity, and headquarters companies. Over the course of seven timed challenges, participants demonstrated the versatility required of today’s cyber Soldiers.
The competition began with a map and radio task that required Soldiers to identify a grid location, program radios, and conduct a simulated call-for-fire. They then moved into a direct-fire exercise that combined rapid response, casualty evaluation, and a technical operations scenario. A third challenge tested their ability to operate in a nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) environment.
Physical endurance and marksmanship were also put to the test. Competitors pushed through a demanding obstacle course before heading to the range for M17 pistol qualification. A “mystery task” introduced a simulated exfiltration scenario that demanded adaptability and teamwork under pressure.
The final stage shifted to the battalion’s core mission with a Cyber Capture the Flag exercise. Soldiers defended networks, identified vulnerabilities, and solved technical challenges in real time, bringing the competition full circle from traditional Soldier skills to advanced cyber operations.
When the scores were tallied, the winning team included Staff Sgt. Crawford and 1st Lt. Powers of the 146th Cyber Warfare Company in Massachusetts, along with Staff Sgt. Morales and Pfc. Finch of Detachment 1, 146th, in Connecticut. Morales and Finch traveled north to compete alongside their teammates, highlighting the battalion’s close cooperation across state lines.
Events like this reinforce the 126th Cyber Protection Battalion’s ability to operate seamlessly in both physical and digital domains. By combining Soldier tasks with cutting-edge cyber training, the Connecticut National Guard continues to prepare for missions at home and abroad in an era where cyber and conventional threats increasingly converge.