Special Forces training exercise planned in Bladen, Brunswick and Columbus counties

SOUTHEASTERN NC (WWAY) — A large U.S. Army training exercise will take place across several North Carolina counties later this month, including parts of southeastern North Carolina.

The exercise, known as Robin Sage, is scheduled for March 27 through April 9 and serves as the final test for soldiers completing the Army’s Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg.

The training will take place in multiple counties across the state, including Bladen, Brunswick and Columbus counties.

Robin Sage is a two-week culmination exercise for Special Forces candidates studying at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg. Soldiers must complete the exercise before graduating and moving on to assignments in the Army’s Special Forces community.

During the training, soldiers operate in a fictional country called “Pineland,” which spans several counties across North and South Carolina. Candidates are placed in simulated environments involving political instability and armed conflict, designed to test their ability to analyze complex situations and solve problems in realistic conditions.

Residents in participating counties may notice increased military activity during the exercise. Officials say people could hear blank gunfire or see occasional flares as part of the training.

Army officials say all movements and activities have been coordinated with local law enforcement and public safety officials. Safety measures are in place to ensure there is no risk to people or property.

The Army said training areas and vehicles used during the exercise will be clearly marked, and participants will follow specific procedures if they encounter law enforcement.

Officials encourage residents who have concerns about the exercise to contact their local law enforcement agency, which can coordinate with military officials overseeing the training.

Robin Sage represents the final phase of more than a year of training for aspiring Special Forces Soldiers.