Joint Service Teamwork Forged During Exercise Sage Eagle

Army Green Berets and supporting elements assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group teamed with security forces airmen from the Air National Guard for Sage Eagle 25-4, a joint training exercise designed to enhance the services' interoperability and readiness, conducted in late August.

With a focus on small-unit tactics, joint mission planning and advanced combat scenarios, the training at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, aimed to better prepare special operations forces and the Air National Guard for real-world missions that reinforce their ability to jointly operate in diverse operational environments.

Sage Eagle 25-4 commenced with weapons familiarization, pairing soldiers and airmen in a series of classes that built a foundational understanding of weapons handling and functions. Green Berets trained the airmen on multiple weapons systems, including the M320 grenade launcher and the M249 squad automatic weapon.

Weapons training culminated in an M4 rifle qualification range before transitioning into advanced tactical training. From dawn to dusk, airmen repeatedly conducted realistic training simulations in small-unit tactics, including close-quarters battle drills, ambushes and raids, immersing them in the demanding tempo of special operations.

"I think it's great to see the different ways that the Green Berets teach things, for example, room clearing," said Air Force Airman 1st Class Leann Minnick, a security forces airman assigned to the 193rd Special Operations Security Forces Squadron. "They taught us many ways to do it that I'm generally not trained to do, so I could bring that back to my unit."

Following multiple days of weapons training, teams entered a five-day field environment, plagued with rugged terrain and dense vegetation, which challenged even the most experienced service members.

Limited access to supplies and the need for covert movements through rugged landscapes added another layer of complexity to the training, requiring teams to adapt quickly or risk mission failure. Following days of training from the Army's elite, airmen applied what they learned to plan and execute simulated raids and ambushes, evading a multitude of different enemy threats to complete the mission.

"[The Green Berets] are experts at detail, which is what it boils down to," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jason Tartaglia, a security forces airman assigned to the 166th Security Forces Squadron. "And that's really what makes them so great. Just thinking outside the box or looking at something from a different angle makes a huge difference."

The training culminated in a realistic joint forcible entry exercise, leveraging the unique skills of each service in a mission to capture a high-value target. Soldiers breached the compound under simulated hostile fire, systematically clearing each floor of enemy threats and overcoming tight stairwell fighting positions, barricaded rooms and simulated casualties on every level.

While Green Berets maneuvered throughout the compound, the Air National Guard security forces secured the exterior of the compound, facing unruly crowds and demonstrators. Leveraging their training, the security forces mitigated all potential threats, enabling both services to seamlessly withdraw.

Sage Eagle isn't just tactical training; it's a crucible for joint force integration. The exercise honed critical skills in cross-service communication, adaptive planning and mission execution in complex environments. Participants gained instrumental insights, directly enhancing current operations and fortifying readiness for future challenges.

"This training pushed us to our limits, but that's how we get better," Minnick said. "When we walk away tired, dirty and more capable than before - we know it was worth it."