Photo By Tech. Sgt. Sarah McClanahan | U.S. Air Force Security Forces Airmen with the Air National Guard secure a simulated...... read more read more
Airmen from the 194th Security Forces Squadron took part in a rigorous two-week exercise alongside soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) for Exercise Sage Eagle 25-1 at Fort Knox, Kentucky, Oct. 18-30, 2024.
Sage Eagle is a recurring training event designed to test the readiness of Army Special Forces and integrate conventional forces into complex, contested environments. It is intended to validate the Army Special Forces' ability to train and incorporate local partner forces.
The exercise brought approximately 230 Air National Guard security forces personnel from over 30 states to train alongside the Green Berets. Five airmen came from the 194th SFS.
Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Martin, 194th SFS superintendent, was a platoon leader of 25 airmen. His platoon worked closely with an Operational Detachment Alpha, a team of 12 Special Forces.
For Martin’s platoon, the event involved three days of intensive training, followed by two full mission profiles, and concluding with roles as opposing forces.
“We had three days of training with our ODA and it was dawn to dusk, which was awesome,” said Martin. “It was tough but the guys got a lot out of it. For probably all of us, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be trained by literally the best of the best.”
After their intensive training, the airmen were tested with two mission profiles which the Green Berets termed “type two plus” and “type three.”
For the type two plus mission, Martin and his platoon were tasked to traverse through a heavily forested terrain under the cover of night… while carrying ladders.
“We're carrying these ladders because the target building is surrounded by a nine-foot-high perimeter wall,” said Martin. “And then we wanted to enter the building from the first and the second floor at the same time.”
Before reaching their objective, the platoon encountered an unexpected obstacle.
“We ended up having to go down this really steep ravine that was not on our maps,” said Martin. “We basically slid on our butts carrying ladders down this ravine and then slogged our way up it.”
There was no turning back. They had to complete their mission.
“It was miserable, but everybody just pushed through it and kept going,” said Martin. “We made it out on the other side. We assaulted the building. It was complete chaos.”
Detailed planning and coordination were critical for the operation, but once they reached the breach point, the situation quickly shifted from preparation to action.
“When we got to the breach point, that’s when we got engaged,” said Senior Airman Noah Williams, 194th SFS installation entry controller. “Everyone just went through… push, push, push!”
Williams breached the compound through a window on the second floor.
“The first room of entry was clear,” said Willams. “We pushed to the second room, and that's when we got engaged by one individual. We eliminated that threat, and then we eventually made it down to the stairs and reconnected with our team.”
Once the area was secured, the Green Berets were called in to conduct sensitive site exploitation, gathering intelligence and securing any persons of interest. Then the team followed their pre-planned evacuation, mounting up in their vehicles and leaving the area. This concluded the type two plus mission.
For the type three mission, the Green Berets embedded with Martin’s platoon. They were tasked to capture a high value target.
“There was a main building,” said Martin. “We knew there was a high value target in that building, but he may run away. We had to plan the mission to take that building initially and then potentially continue on clearing buildings if we didn't find him.”
The Green Berets and security forces airmen rolled in with machine-gun-mounted vehicles for fire support.
“As soon as we hit the village, it was total shock and awe,” said Martin. “Machine guns open up on the vehicles… 50 cals shooting blanks, 240s shooting blanks, Green Berets are throwing flash bangs… I can barely see through my night vision because the flashes are going off and my goggles are just whiting out.”
The group was split into three assault teams, each accompanied by a couple Green Berets. They jumped out of the truck and entered the first building. Meanwhile, a separate sniper team ascended a tower using ladders to gain a strategic vantage point.
They cleared the first building. The target was not there.
“The Ground Force Commander gives the order to move to the next phase line. The vehicles move up, machine guns open up again, flash bangs go out again. My guys get to the second building.”
In the second building, they found the target. They captured him, loaded up, and were gone.
“From the time that we started the mission to the time that we got back to our staging point was less than 45 minutes,” said Martin.
The intensive training provided by the Green Berets was invaluable for participating airmen.
“It was great to learn and absorb the information they were giving us,” said Williams. “They've been there. They've done that. They've been in a combat environment multiple times. Being able to take their advice, hone it, and add what we wanted to our toolbox… it was huge.”
Reflecting on the experience, Martin emphasized the importance of challenging, realistic training in preparing forces for the future fight.
“I think that it's important for Security Forces and our unit… in order to get better, in order to better prepare for a potential great power conflict, to conduct training that is difficult and meaningful.”
The training not only provided new knowledge and skills, but also a sense of accomplishment.
“It was just such an incredible experience that I am truly grateful to have been a part of, both from a leadership perspective and a participant perspective,” said Martin. “The training was so good. The exercise and full mission profiles were excellent. Getting training and then being able to execute a full mission and see all of your training come to fruition… it was just a full package.”
| Date Taken: | 10.30.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 01.16.2025 14:33 |
| Story ID: | 488613 |
| Location: | FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY, US |
| Web Views: | 116 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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