Posted on 08/21/2019 6:44:52 PM PDT by Perseverando
A series of Special Forces military training exercises -- including gunfire with blanks -- is being staged across 21 North Carolina counties starting Aug. 30,
and the Army is telling the public not to be alarmed at the suspicious-looking activity. (Source: Video screenshot | U.S. Department of Defense)
August 21, 2019 at 1:34 PM EDT - Updated August 21 at 1:34 PM NORTH CAROLINA (Mark Price/Charlotte Observer) - A series of Special Forces military training exercises -- including gunfire with blanks -- is being staged across 21 North Carolina counties starting Aug. 30, and the Army is telling the public not to be alarmed at the suspicious-looking activity.
Known as Robin Sage training, the unconventional warfare exercises can be likened to live-action role playing in the extreme, with hostile engagement playing out between Special Forces students, volunteer civilians and soldiers out of Fort Bragg. It continues through Sept. 12, said a press release.
Heavily populated counties like Wake, Cumberland and Union counties are among training sites, according to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center at Fort Bragg.
The students will match wits with more seasoned soldiers, who will “act as realistic opposing forces and guerrilla freedom fighters,” officials said in a release.
Advance notice has become a critical part of the program since one soldier was killed and another wounded in 2002 by a Moore County deputy who mistook the exercises for criminal activity.
A similar Fort Bragg military exercise in 1997 created panic in Charlotte, when uptown residents were terrified by the sounds of 100 commandos attacking a warehouse. The “urban warfare” assault incorporated helicopters and “simulated bombs and gunfire,” the Charlotte Observer reported.
The exercises starting next week will involve engagements against a fictitious country known as Pineland, officials said. Staging areas will be largely on private land in 10 of the 21 counties, but the others may feel some impact, officials said.
The 21 counties include Alamance, Anson, Cabarrus, Chatham, Cumberland, Davidson, Davie, Guilford, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Richmond, Robeson, Rowan, Scotland, Stanly, Union and Wake counties, officials said.
Local law enforcement agencies and government officials have been alerted, a release said.
“Residents may hear blank gunfire and see occasional flares. Controls are in place to ensure there is no risk to persons or property,” officials said. “Residents with concerns should contact local law enforcement officials, who will immediately contact exercise control officials.”
Unconventional warfare tactics call for the students to “wear civilian clothes,” but the public will be able to identify them by “a distinctive brown armband,” officials said. Vehicles will be labeled, too, along with training areas, a release noted.
“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,” according to the press release.
“Candidates are placed in an environment of political instability characterized by armed conflict, forcing Soldiers to analyze and solve problems to meet the challenges of this ‘real-world’ training.”
LOL.. .
In Pennsylvania I was once sitting in an outhouse in a remote area of a state forest when two A-10’s went over at treetop level.
It was quite an experience. Glad I was not in a hunting treestand.
I swear you see them and then hear them.
Yes, the highly observable distinctive brown armband. As opposed to the discrete fluorescent orange hunting vest.
If my memory serves me right, Michael Rivero had a field day with that event.....LOL!
Or Religion of Pieces
I think it was Clinton and Ron Silver
Ditto here in GA. The army was sneaking around in the mountain forest reserve up above Blairsville a couple years ago. The militia were observing their every movement. Everytime they looked up there was a guy in full battle rattle at the top of the ridge glassing them. They have not been back.
Great idea!
In fact, the better place to stage these maneuvers would be Portland, Oregon; Berkeley, California; South Side of Chicago; Somailiaville, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Cambridge, Massachusetts and Chappaqua, New York.
You don’t think the Lefties in Chapel Hill and Durham are going to freak out?
“Army is getting ready for a military dictatorship under Trump when he loses”....
Amen to that.
Wasn’t HAWK BLADE the test for the airmobile concept and the 1st CAV?
Yes, and the following June, my unit (and I think every unit that had supported the exercise) received orders for Vietnam ; )
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