MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Airmen assigned to the 299th Network Operations Squadron, Kansas Air National Guard, participated in the Department of the Air Force Information Network readiness exercise (DAFIN FLAG), a full-scale combat readiness exercise focused on employment for strategic competition against near-peer adversaries, April 28 - May 9, 2025.
The 299th NOS serves as gatekeeper to the entire U.S. Air Force computer network and is one of only three organizations in the Air Force that provide enterprise-level network security.
DAFIN FLAG tested the ability of the Airmen across the Air Force to establish mobilization processes and hand the mission off to other cyberspace operations squadrons while maintaining 24/7 Center of Excellence Integration Element operations.
This was the first time the 299th NOS participated with all units assigned to the 688th Cyberspace Wing; integrating real-world and exercise operations together. While squadrons assigned to the 688th CW are located around the globe, the 299th NOS executed their missions from their home station at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas.
“This was the first time that reserve component Airmen were mobilized to Title 10 to support 688th CW missions, paving the way for expanded collaboration and Air National Guard support to global cyber operations,” said 1st Lt. Matthew Benoit, director of operations, 299th NOS.
The exercise was critical in enhancing the lethality, readiness, and resilience of the 299th NOS.
“By simulating real-world cyber threats in a contested environment, we identified gaps, validated our tactics, and strengthened coordination across teams between 688th CW units worldwide,” stated Benoit. “Readiness exercises like DAFIN FLAG validate that we are ready for whatever may be tasked of us now and in the future as we continue to focus on Great Power Competition and the priorities outlined in the National Defense Strategy.”
The teams faced several challenges during DAFIN FLAG including breaking free from legacy mindsets that come from reactive network maintenance and taking a more proactive approach. In the early stages of the exercise, teams struggled to transition away from their established routines, but improvement was noticeable as the Airmen made cultural and procedural changes.
According to Benoit, “They overcame the challenge by leaning into collaboration, rethinking tool use, and creating agile processes that prioritized mission assurance over traditional response.”
Adjustments in approach led to standout moments during the exercise. Operators developed a new process that detected unauthorized account actions that would have gone unnoticed until much later in the response cycle with the previous legacy mindset. Instead, the team was able to flag deviations in near real-time.
“What made this effort so impactful was that it wasn’t part of the initial tasking—they identified a gap, took ownership, and engineered a solution mid-exercise,” Benoit said. “It reflected a complete shift from reactive network maintenance to proactive mission assurance, using creativity and deep system knowledge to harden our environment against potential threats quickly.”
DAFIN FLAG was a resounding success. Airmen of the 299th NOS not only met expectations but exceeded them. Every mission essential task was validated.
“What stood out was how our Airmen took ownership beyond the checklist, proactively identifying threats, refining internal processes, and innovating tool use to strengthen our defensive posture,” said Benoit. “Their performance during this exercise aided in furthering the combat-ready mindset we expect in contested environments.”
Many valuable lessons were learned during DAFIN FLAG. The 299th NOS is now applying those lessons to refine checklists, enhance capabilities, develop innovative ways to leverage toolsets, and ensure the team is always postured to defend the Department of the Air Force Information Networks to provide increased mission assurance to the warfighter.
Benoit concluded, “Ultimately, every lesson learned makes us faster, more agile, more lethal, and better prepared for tomorrow’s challenges.”