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Robin Sage exercise to be held across 25 North Carolina counties for Special Forces candidates

Special Forces candidates assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School assault enemy role players as they take part in the final phase of field training known as Robin Sage in central North Carolina, Sept. 28, 2021. The exercise for soldiers in the Special Forces qualification course will be held again from Jan. 22, 2022, to Feb. 4, 2022, across 25 North Carolina counties.

Special Forces candidates will participate in a two-week training exercise across 25 North Carolina counties and three South Carolina counties this week.

Known as Robin Sage, the exercise is the final test for soldiers going through the Special Forces Qualification Course.

It is the last training exercise before students graduate and move to an assignment with one of the Army's Special Forces units.

The exercise is Jan. 22 to Feb. 4, according to a news release from the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, where the participants are students at Fort Bragg.

“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 news release states.

Surrounding counties where the exercise will be held include Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Moore and Robeson counties.

Other North Carolina counties for the exercise are: Alamance, Anson, Brunswick, Cabarrus, Chatham, Columbus, Davidson, Guilford, Montgomery, New Hanover, Randolph, Richmond, Rowan, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, Union, and Wake counties.

The exercise will also be held in Chesterfield, Dillon and Marlboro counties in South Carolina.

Robin Sage is an unconventional warfare exercise that has been held regularly since 1974.

Special forces candidates are placed in an environment that simulates “political instability characterized by armed conflict,” to force the soldiers “to analyze and solve problems to meet the challenges,” the news release states.

Special Forces candidates assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School assault enemy role players as they take part in the final phase of field training known as Robin Sage in central North Carolina, Sept. 28, 2021. The exercise for soldiers in the Special Forces qualification course will be held again from Jan. 22, 2022, to Feb. 4, 2022, across 25 North Carolina counties.

Throughout the exercise, military and civilian support personnel and community volunteers serving as the auxiliary participate in or provide support, along with other Fort Bragg service members.

The service members act as realistic opposing forces and guerrilla freedom fighters in a fictional country known as Pineland, according to the news release.

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,” the news release states.

On Feb. 23, 2002, a Moore County deputy who said he was not notified about the exercise shot and killed 1st Lt. Tallas Tomeny and injured then-Sgt. Stephen Phelps, who were wearing civilian clothing.

Tomeny’s estate settled its claims against the Moore County Sheriff's Department in October 2009 in a civil suit with undisclosed terms.

According to the suit, the soldiers believed the deputy was part of the role-playing Robin Sage exercise, and the deputy shot Tomeny after searching him and Phelps as he tried to flee.

According to the Special Warfare Center and School’s news release, formal written notifications, and a follow-up visit was given to the chiefs of all law enforcement agencies in affected counties where the upcoming exercise will be held.

The news release states that all of the exercise’s movements have been coordinated with public safety officials throughout and within the towns and counties hosting the training.

• 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 brown armband during these instances.

• Training areas and vehicles used during exercises are clearly labeled.

“Safety is always the command's top priority during all training events,” the news release states.

Residents may hear blank gunfire and see occasional flares.

Special Forces candidates assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School assault enemy role players as they take part in the final phase of field training known as Robin Sage in central North Carolina, Sept. 28, 2021. The exercise for soldiers in the Special Forces qualification course will be held again from Jan. 22, 2022, to Feb. 4, 2022, across 25 North Carolina counties.

“Controls are in place to ensure there is no risk to persons or property,” the news release states.

Residents with concerns should contact local law enforcement, who will contact exercise control officials.

Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.

Special Forces candidates assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School assault enemy role players as they take part in the final phase of field training known as Robin Sage in central North Carolina, Sept. 28, 2021. The exercise for soldiers in the Special Forces qualification course will be held again from Jan. 22, 2022, to Feb. 4, 2022, across 25 North Carolina counties.
Special Forces candidates assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School assault enemy role players as they take part in the final phase of field training known as Robin Sage in central North Carolina, Sept. 28, 2021. The exercise for soldiers in the Special Forces qualification course will be held again from Jan. 22, 2022, to Feb. 4, 2022, across 25 North Carolina counties.
Special Forces candidates assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School assault enemy role players as they take part in the final phase of field training known as Robin Sage in central North Carolina, Sept. 28, 2021. The exercise for soldiers in the Special Forces qualification course will be held again from Jan. 22, 2022, to Feb. 4, 2022, across 25 North Carolina counties.

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This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Robin Sage exercise for Special Forces candidates to span North Carolina