Aggressors train Peterson Airmen Published Aug. 3, 2007 57th Adversary Tactics Support Squadron NELLIS AFB, Nev. -- Early in July, aggressors from the 57th Adversary Tactics Group at Nellis AFB, Nev., deployed to Peterson to train Airmen at the 21st Space Wing and 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 (Kansas Air National Guard), used threat-representative systems and tactics to assess the security of computer networks and facilities. "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." In addition to identifying and helping reduce vulnerabilities, the team presented more than 17 hours of academics on potential threats and countermeasures. The space and information aggressors are an integral part of the 57 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. Department of Defense networks are under continual attack by hackers, foreign governments, terrorist groups, and transnational organizations determined to disable or disrupt 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 will remain key to preparing forces to defeat these threats - now and in the future.