Photo By Gwendolyn Kurzen | Members of the 645th Cyberspace Squadron participate in Cosmic Chimera, a weeklong joint cyber defense exercise with the 33rd Range Squadron and U.S. Navy cyber defense teams at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, Aug. 26, 2026. The exercise used the Cyber Defensive Environment Representation, or CyDER, range to provide realistic red- and blue-team training while strengthening joint cyber defense capabilities supporting Space Launch Delta 45’s launch mission. (U.S. Space Force photo by Gwendolyn Kurzen) see less
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33rd Range and Aggressor Squadron Supports Advanced Cyber Training at Patrick Space Force Base
PATRICK SPACE FORCE BASE, Fla. — Space Training and Readiness Command’s 33rd Range and Aggressor Squadron supported advanced cyber training at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, Aug. 24–28, preparing Space Force and Navy cyber operators to defend critical launch infrastructure against realistic digital attacks and establishing combat credibility across the joint force.
The exercise, named Cosmic Chimera, brought together the 33rd RGS, a unit under Space Delta 11, with Space Systems Command’s 645th Cyberspace Squadron and a cyber protection team of remote observers from Naval Network Warfare Command. Training focused on defensive cyberspace operations: detecting, analyzing and neutralizing cyber threats before they disrupt operational missions.
Cosmic Chimera placed operators inside a live-virtual environment that mirrored the digital systems, tools and operational conditions targeted by real-world adversaries. During the exercise, the 33rd RGS served as the opposing force, executing realistic cyberattacks based on known adversary tactics to drive defender response.
“Training like this helps turn theory into action,” said Master Sgt. Richie Sounantha, 33rd RGS aggressor crew lead. “Instead of working through a static scenario, defenders are reacting to a live opponent that can adapt as the exercise unfolds. That gives them a much clearer picture of how they would perform when it matters most.”
The inaugural iteration of Cosmic Chimera advanced a broader 33rd RGS initiative to deliver threat-informed cyber training directly to operational units. Throughout the week, Guardians demonstrated their ability to counter emerging threats, deny adversary operational advantages and safeguard critical infrastructure.
Scenarios centered on defending operational technology systems tied to the Eastern Range, where the 645th CYS conducts defensive cyber operations. These systems secure the ground infrastructure vital to space launch operations and critical orbital missions.
The 33rd RGS delivered a cyber range environment that enabled units to train against active threats without endangering operational networks. For this event, the range integrated upgraded capabilities, allowing aggressor crews to generate dynamic, high-fidelity challenges for defenders.
The exercise evaluated whether cyber defenders could detect an intrusion, assess adversary intent and neutralize the threat before it compromised mission systems.
“The goal is to make training as realistic and relevant as possible,” said Tech. Sgt. Joshua Thompson, 33rd RGS range crew lead. “We build an environment that reflects the defender’s mission, then apply pressure in a way that resembles how a real threat would behave. That helps crews build confidence, improve teamwork and identify gaps before they are exposed in the real world.”
Thompson noted that training with Navy personnel strengthened joint-force interoperability across teams protecting complex, high-value defense systems.
“The realistic, hands-on training is essential to keeping cyber forces ready to protect critical infrastructure and help ensure reliable access to the space domain and related capabilities,” Sounantha said.
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