MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan -- The 184th Wing, Kansas Air National Guard, and the Kansas Association of Community Colleges proclaimed a strategic partnership Feb. 11, 2026, to develop a robust talent pipeline for the state’s cyber and intelligence career fields. The partnership will expand specialized education in cybersecurity and intelligence, addressing critical workforce needs in both military and civilian sectors.
The proclamation establishes a collaborative framework to enhance the readiness of the Kansas Air National Guard, expand opportunities for Kansas learners, and support the long-term resilience of the state’s workforce.
The agreement emphasizes the development of a curriculum that aligns with the wing’s mission needs, with the 184th Wing providing subject matter experts to assist in program design and instruction.
This partnership was built off a successful data analytics bootcamp originally developed by the 184th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group (ISRG) and Newman University.
By making this bootcamp and a new cybersecurity curriculum developed by the 184th Cyberspace Operations Group (COG) available to community colleges, the program also opens the door for high school students, creating early pathways into these rapidly growing fields.
“The 184th Wing is a hotbed of rapidly growing industries like cyber warfare, intelligence, and information technology,” said Col. Joseph Deeds, 184th Wing commander. “This partnership truly aims to accelerate student experiences while simultaneously showcasing the 184th Wing’s next-generation warfare opportunities.”
Intelligence Group Provides Proven Data Analytics Training
The foundation of the partnership is the Data Bootcamp created by the 184th ISRG. Originally designed to upskill analysts at Distributed Ground Station-Kansas, the course is now accessible to any individual seeking to build data literacy.
The comprehensive, eight-week bootcamp equips students with practical, in-demand skills in programming languages like Python, data management using Structured Query Language (SQL) and NoSQL databases, and data modeling concepts like Extract, Transform, Load.
The flexible program can be customized for different student groups and is offered in a hybrid format to accommodate both online and on-campus learners.
Cyber Group Delivers Hands-On Cybersecurity Training
Building on this model, the 184th COG will provide a specialized cybersecurity fundamentals bootcamp. This program is tailored to equip students with the practical skills needed for entry-level roles in defending Kansas's critical infrastructure.
The curriculum focuses on threat vulnerabilities, in-depth threat assessments, and the fundamentals of Red Team (offensive) and Blue Team (defensive) cyber operations. Students will gain hands-on experience from a curriculum forged from the expertise of the 184th COG’s operators who work daily to secure vital digital networks.
The program targets recent high school graduates, career-changers, and IT professionals seeking to upskill for roles such as junior security operations center analyst or cybersecurity specialist.
The Big Picture
By adopting this partnership, Kansas community colleges can bypass lengthy development cycles, reduce costs, and offer a credential-backed program that directly addresses the state's critical need for trained cybersecurity professionals.
This strategic alliance forges a direct link between Kansas's educational institutions and its real-world mission requirements.
By providing clear pathways to high-demand careers, the partnership not only equips Kansans with marketable skills but also ensures the 184th Wing has a sustainable pipeline of homegrown talent, strengthening the state’s economic and digital security for the future.
