Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), alongside enablers, operated from Feb. 11-20, 2026, enhancing the effectiveness of the 11th Airborne Division. Small teams conducted reconnaissance and disrupted adversary technology to provide the Joint Force Commander an advantage in fires and maneuver across the battlespace.
“We’ve got our place [in large-scale combat operations] and it is using tactical actions with our specialized signals intelligence and electronic warfare analysts to achieve strategic results,” said Maj. Scott Ratzer, 3rd Battalion Alpha Company commander. “This gives us a chance to identify important [enemy] targets on the Division’s high-priority target list and disrupt [enemy] command and control, sustainment and logistics.”
Before entering the JPMRC training area, multiple Special Forces Operational Detachment–Alphas and support personnel completed 14 days of focused cold weather training. The preparation emphasized survival skills and technical discipline required to operate in Arctic conditions.
Teams rehearsed small-unit movement over snow-covered terrain, cold weather sustainment including meal preparation, communications in extreme temperatures, and long-duration dismounted operations. Leaders stressed that maintaining basic routines is critical in sub-zero environments.
“Having two weeks of solid cold-weather training prior to going into the box helped us and other teams really prepare for the subfreezing temperatures that we were going to face in the box,” said a Special Forces Team Sergeant. “When guys are exposed to this environment [like Alaska], they stop doing the simple things – changing socks, drinking water, and eating. These mistakes can begin to snowball if not taken seriously.”
Building on that foundation, Operational Detachment–Alphas integrated emerging technologies to extend their operational reach. The battalion’s military free fall team conducted a high-altitude, high-opening jump to test cold-weather equipment, communications gear, and layered clothing systems in Arctic conditions.
“If we can prove we’re able to execute an MFF jump in Arctic conditions, that’s just one more option the commander has in his back pocket,” said a Special Forces Detachment Commander. “Weather and terrain up here can limit how you move forces, so testing our gear and our procedures in this environment gives higher headquarters the flexibility to insert a team where and when it makes sense.”
The exercise also highlighted the Army’s focus on adaptability and lethality, including the use of first-person view drones by 10th Special Forces Group signals intelligence Soldiers. These drones supported reconnaissance efforts and provided information to the 11th Airborne Division for rocket and missile support.
“FPV drones give us a fast, low-signature way to confirm what we’re seeing on the ground and tighten up our target picture,” said a signals intelligence Soldier. “Instead of relying solely on reports or larger platforms, we can push a drone forward, get eyes on the objective in real time, and provide accurate information to the commander. That speed and precision makes a big difference when it comes to reconnaissance and confirming prior intel.”
As the rotation concluded, Green Berets returned having refined their Arctic survival skills and validated equipment performance in extreme cold. The training, conducted under JPMRC, reinforces the Army’s effort to prepare agile, lethal formations capable of projecting combat power in diverse environments across the Indo-Pacific region.
