SEPTEMBER 4, 2025 – The Department of the Air Force Information Technology and Cyberpower conference brought together military members, civilians and industry partners for its annual education and training event in Montgomery, Aug. 25-27.
The conference serves as a critical hub for personnel across the IT, cyber and communications fields to connect and share knowledge.
“DAFITC was outstanding this year,” said Daniel Ponds, DAFITC CIO chair, Chief of the Department of the Air Force IT and Cyber Budget Activities Reporting branch. “Great discussions were had, everyone was able to meet face to face at a time where collaboration is the utmost important.”
Ponds emphasized that the event is the one and only military department, government-hosted, education and training event of its kind.
“You should come and see people that you’ve worked with and that is the way that you solve problems,” Ponds said. “You remember the people who you know, and you pull back on them because everybody has been through something. This is the place where you can make that happen face to face and get things done.”
The event, chaired this year by Leona Lynn, Branch Chief of the Capabilities and Processes, emphasized the importance of bringing together a wide array of stakeholders.
“The Department of the Air Force Information Technology Training and Education event brings lots of military and civilian organizations together as well as our industry partners,” Lynn said. “Our IT environment is forever changing daily, so to learn all the latest and greatest about what’s going on in IT, this is the place that you should be.”
For many, the conference serves as an invaluable opportunity for professional development and to gain perspective from senior leaders. Master Sgt. Sydney Sullivan, Eglin Air Force Base 96th Communication Squadron, described DAFITC as the “Super Bowl for our communications community.”
“This is the time for industry, civilian, officer and enlisted to get the latest updates from our senior leaders,” Sullivan said. “It’s a chance for us to dialog, build relationships and see what other mission sets are out there that we may not be privy to if we don’t come to an event like this.”
Sullivan made it a priority to bring 24 Airmen from his squadron to the conference, highlighting its role in building camaraderie within the career field.
As the event concluded, the consensus among leadership and attendees was clear. DAFITC remains an essential forum for advancing the U.S. Air Force’s technological edge and strengthening the bonds within the cyber and IT communities.
By Senior Airman Evan Lichtenhan
42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs