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Allied cyber skill share strengthens international partnerships at Scott

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tyler Moody
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  

The 835th Cyberspace Operations Squadron hosted cyber professionals from the United Kingdom and Canada July 14–17 to exchange expertise and strengthen cooperation across allied networks during a multinational Cyber Skill Share event.

Held at the Cyberspace Capabilities Center Headquarters here at Scott, the event brought together participants from the U.S. Air Force’s 75th Intelligence Squadron, the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the U.K. Royal Air Force to discuss potential cybersecurity challenges and share cutting-edge approaches to emerging threats in the digital domain.

“This week was about more than just cyber talk—it was about real-world collaboration,” said Capt. Sean Klinger, chief of weapons and tactics at the 835 COS. “We’re tackling the same kind of threats, so bringing our Five Eyes partners into the fold and learning from one another makes us all more effective.”

The Skill Share’s core objectives centered on improving interoperability, identifying shared problem sets, and discussing innovations in threat detection, all with a focus on real-time application. One standout topic explored was the use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to bolster cyber defense capabilities and accelerate threat response.

“Our discussions on AI and ML were especially exciting,” said Klinger. “We showcased a prototype using Retrieval-Augmented Generation to help cyber operators rapidly troubleshoot networks and enhance threat-hunting efficiency. These types of tools can fundamentally change how we defend our networks.”

Retrieval-Augmented Generation, or RAG, is an artificial intelligence method that combines search and natural language generation, pulling relevant information from trusted data sources and uses that content to generate accurate, human-like responses.

While participants often work together during large-scale exercises like Cyber Flag or Red Flag, the Skill Share event provided a rare opportunity to set aside training objectives and dive deeply into operational cyber challenges.

“In my experience, exercises are excellent, but they limit how much we can actually sit down and problem-solve,” said Klinger. “This event let us focus completely on the issues we think the entire cyber community should be addressing. We’re already seeing tangible benefits, like improvements we made in a past exercise thanks to similar collaboration.”

For Squadron Leader Muhammad Azad, SO2 Cyber at the RAF’s 11 Group Air Command, the event highlighted the growing urgency of international collaboration in cyberspace.

“The threats we face are agnostic of borders,” said Azad. “They’re growing faster than any one country can manage alone. Events like this ensure that we stand together as modern, interoperable partners ready to respond.”

Participants also discussed improvements to defensive collaboration tools, including “the Arsenal,” a compendium of cyber defense tactics and software developed by U.S. Air Force cyber teams. Talks focused on expanding the platform to allow Five Eyes allies to contribute and benefit from the collective knowledge base.

“The reality is that our adversaries will exploit the weakest link,” said Rhys Taylor, a Canadian cyber mission assurance expert. “By lifting each other up and sharing knowledge quickly, we create a stronger collective defense.”

Beyond military applications, participants acknowledged the impact cyber attacks can have on civilian life, emphasizing the importance of cyber education and infrastructure resilience.

“It’s not just about mission assurance,” Taylor said. “When everyday systems go down—banking, water, power—that’s when the public feels it. Strengthening our cyber partnerships helps ensure that life continues smoothly, even in the face of these evolving threats.”

As the event concluded, attendees left with fresh insight, strengthened professional relationships, and a renewed commitment to defending the cyber domain.

“These relationships matter,” said Capt. Cooper Ramos, cyber threat vulnerability interdiction flight commander with the 75 IS. “When we train and learn alongside our partners, we’re better prepared for the future fight—not just for today’s threats, but for what’s coming next.”