Edwards hosts inaugural cohort of VICEROY cyber-spectrum interns, expanding future leadership development

  • Published
  • By Samantha Duchscherer
  • 412th Test Wing
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

The inaugural cohort of Virtual Institutes for Cyber and Electromagnetic Spectrum Research and Officer Training (VICEROY) scholars helped propel test forward across multiple domains this summer, with seven collegiate interns gaining hands-on experience solving critical national security challenges from June 1 to Aug. 7 at Edwards.

VICEROY is a Department of War initiative designed to cultivate a mission-focused cyber-spectrum leadership pipeline. Established under the National Defense Authorization Act, the program funds student travel to military laboratories, research centers and operational facilities, removing geographic barriers to defense careers.

This summer’s interns traveled from across the nation, representing institutions such as Norwich University, Augusta University and Texas A&M University. The VICEROY program also supports the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, with three of this summer’s Edwards interns slated to commission as military officers upon graduation.

Throughout the 10-week internship, the scholars were embedded across seven unique organizations at Edwards, including the Electronic Warfare Group, Emerging Technologies Integrated Test Force, 812th Aircraft Instrumentation Test Squadron and the 412th Range Squadron, among others. The robust portfolio of units was reflected on the missions supported, which included autonomous systems testing, automated software assurance pipelines and artificial intelligence test aircraft research.





Seven interns participating in the Virtual Institutes for Cyber and Electromagnetic Spectrum Research and Officer Training program deliver their culmination presentations following a 10-week internship at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Aug. 7, 2026. The interns and their paired units are, from left to right, top to bottom: Rodrick Benson, 412th Range Squadron; Alejandro Cardona, 772nd Test Squadron; Connor English, 772nd Test Squadron; Ciara Laird, 812th Aircraft Instrumentation Test Squadron; Ana Lemler, Experimental Test Force; Ryan Soroka, 445th Test Squadron; and Mallory Sorola, 812th Test Support Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ariana Ortega)

One intern, Ryan Soroka, focused on a project titled "SolarWinds Configuration and Dashboard Creation" for the 445th Test Squadron. Soroka supported the initial deployment of SolarWinds, an enterprise-grade monitoring suite used to track network and server performance across the Digital Test and Training Range at Edwards.

"Ryan took hands-on ownership of organizing the platform and shaping its user interface to ensure it delivered meaningful, actionable insight," said Dr. Michael Chen of the 445th Test Squadron.

Soroka's configurations, which include building interactive network maps and custom dashboards, have transitioned the range's cyber posture from reactive to proactive. Technical teams can now identify anomalies earlier, trace issues with greater precision and reduce troubleshooting timelines.

The hands-on technical environment also left a lasting impression on the interns.

"Working at Edwards over the summer showed me how much life can bloom even in harsh environments," said Ana Lemler, a VICEROY intern who participated in drone evaluations and flight test processes. "The people I met were incredible, and the mission I was a part of gave me purpose beyond a regular workplace."

Ciara Laird, another intern, said the program bridged the gap between academic theory and operational defense.

"VICEROY gave me the opportunity to take what I’ve learned in school and apply it to real cybersecurity challenges supporting the Air Force mission," Laird said. "I gained hands-on technical experience, learned from professionals in the field, and walked away from Edwards more confident in my abilities."

Base officials declared the inaugural program a resounding success. Beyond providing immediate mission support, the internship serves as a critical recruitment pipeline for Edwards. Many of the interns have expressed interest in returning to the flight test community after graduation, and they will take their experiences back to their respective universities, sharing the opportunities available at Edwards with fellow students in high-demand technical programs.

The installation intends to grow the VICEROY footprint at Edwards in the summer of 2027 and beyond, a reflection of the continued emphasis across cyber and the electromagnetic spectrum within the next generation of aerospace systems.


Tim Thomas of the Griffiss Institute addresses interns during the Virtual Institutes for Cyber and Electromagnetic Spectrum Research and Officer Training program at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Aug. 7, 2026. The Department of War VICEROY initiative cultivates cyber-spectrum leadership by funding student travel to military research centers, removing geographic barriers to defense careers. During the inaugural cohort at Edwards, seven interns supported active aerospace and cyber test programs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ariana Ortega)