‘Suspicious-looking military activity’ is expected in 21 NC counties. Here’s why
U.S. Army officials said hundreds of military personnel will descend on North Carolina over the next two weeks for a Special Forces training exercise that involves blank gunfire and guerrilla fighters.
Local law enforcement have said the unconventional warfare exercise “resembles extreme role playing” with students in training firing blank rounds while working with Fort Bragg soldiers who will be acting as guerrilla fighters, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post Monday.
The training is scheduled from March 27 to April 11, according to a statement from the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School based in Fort Bragg.
Staging will happen largely on private land in 21 counties across the state — including Chatham, Harnett and Wake in the Triangle.
It also encompasses several counties in the Charlotte area, including Cabarrus, Rowan, Scotland, Stanly and Union.
About 200 Special Forces students, 500 military and civilian support personnel as well as 150 members of the general public will participate in the exercises, according to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office.
“Army officials have advised that Randolph County residents could see suspicious-looking military activity and vehicles over the next few weeks as they will be conducting the Robin Sage Unconventional Warfare,” the sheriff’s office said.
Robin Sage is the final stage of Special Forces training before becoming a Green Beret, Business Insider reported. It’s named after an operative who was caught by the Nazis during World War II and managed to escape after more than 12 attempts, according to the media outlet.
During the exercise, Special Forces students are instructed to help a guerrilla force overthrow the government in a fictional country known as Pineland — which spans “about 50,000 square miles in the woods of North Carolina,” Insider reported.
Students train the guerrilla force, render medical care and build outposts while conducting “reconnaissance, raids, ambushes” and other missions, according to the media outlet.
Army officials said members of the military stationed at Fort Bragg will participate in the upcoming exercise and will act as “realistic opposing forces and guerrilla freedom fighters, also known as Pineland’s resistance movement.” Civilian volunteers will also act as role players during the exercise.
The Robin Sage program dates back at least 60 years, McClatchy News previously reported, and continued even during the coronavirus pandemic in mid-September.
But providing advance notice to the public became paramount after a soldier was killed and another hurt in 2002 when a deputy reportedly mistook the training for criminal activity.
Officials said all local law enforcement received written notice of the upcoming exercise and had a follow-up visit from a unit representative.
“Residents may hear blank gunfire and see occasional flares,” the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School said in a statement. “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.”
During the Robin Sage exercise, students will “only wear civilian clothes if the situation warrants,” during which time they will also have on a brown armband, officials said.
All training areas and vehicles have additionally been clearly labeled, and civilians and soldiers have been trained on how to handle any contact with law enforcement.
“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,” the school said.
Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the upcoming dates of the Robin Sage Unconventional Warfare Exercise and the number of counties involved based on information provided by local law enforcement. The headline and article have since been corrected.
This story was originally published March 23, 2021 at 3:12 PM.
