FORT BRAGG, N.C. — This fall, Special Forces candidates are once again on their way to help guerilla forces liberate Pineland, the fictional country overlapping 15 different North Carolina counties.
The Special Forces candidates are students in the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg. Starting Sept. 11, over 100 of these students will begin Robin Sage, the final training exercise before they graduate and move to an assignment with one of America's Special Forces groups.
The exercise will run for two weeks, ending Sept. 23.
Robin Sage is the U.S. military’s premiere unconventional warfare exercise, and the final test of over a year's worth of training for aspiring Special Forces soldiers. This exercise prepares future operators to lead and train indigenous forces by teaching guerrillas to communicate, move, fight and provide medical aid while helping to liberate a country by tactical force.
The notional country of Pineland encompasses 15 counties in North Carolina including Alamance, Anson, Cabarrus, Chatham, Davidson, Guilford, Hoke, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Richmond, Rowan, Scotland, Stanly and Union counties. Throughout the exercise, Special Forces candidates not only conduct missions, but also live, eat and sleep in these areas.
All Robin Sage movements and events have been coordinated with public safety officials throughout and within towns and counties hosting the training. Residents may hear blank gunfire and see occasional flares. Controls are in place to ensure there is no risk to persons or property.
Residents with concerns should contact local law enforcement officials, who will immediately contact exercise control officials.
With the help of civilian authorities and local citizens, Robin Sage has been conducted for nearly 50 years. Safety is always the number-one priority and the following measures have been implemented:
• Formal written notification to the chiefs of law enforcement agencies in the affected counties, with a follow-up visit from a unit representative.
• All civilian and non-student military participants are briefed on procedures to follow if there is contact with law enforcement officials.
• Students will only wear civilian clothes if the situation warrants, as determined by the instructors, and will wear a distinctive armband. Personnel role-playing as Pineland law enforcement officers wear distinctive hats and armbands, as well.
• Training areas and vehicles used during exercises are clearly labeled.
Approximately 200 military service members from units across Fort Bragg will also support the exercise. These military members provide realistic opposing forces and guerrilla freedom fighters, also known as the resistance movement. These troops play a critical role in the training the students will encounter in the country of Pineland. To add realism of the exercise, civilian volunteers throughout the state act as role-players. Participation by these volunteers is crucial to the success of this training, and past trainees attest to the realism they add to the exercise.
We appreciate the support and consideration the citizens of North Carolina extend to the soldiers participating in the exercise and thank them for their understanding of any inconveniences the training may cause. Questions concerning the exercise should be referred to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School Public Affairs Office at (910) 396-9394, or by e-mail at pao_swcs@soc.mil.
Date Taken: | 08.27.2010 |
Date Posted: | 08.30.2010 11:15 |
Story ID: | 55404 |
Location: | NORTH CAROLINA, US |
Web Views: | 584 |
Downloads: | 10 |
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