U.S. Army Green Berets Special Forces Demonstrate Arctic Warfare Capabilities in Alaska Exercise.

U.S. Army Green Berets from 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) conducted advanced reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and targeting operations during the JPMRC 26-02 exercise in Alaska. The training demonstrated how Special Forces teams can enable the 11th Airborne Division and other conventional units to operate effectively in extreme Arctic combat environments.

U.S. Army Green Berets from 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) recently demonstrated advanced reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and precision targeting capabilities during the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) 26-02 exercise across central and southern Alaska. Operating in extreme cold-weather conditions, the Special Forces teams worked alongside elements of the 11th Airborne Division to shape the battlefield for simulated large-scale combat operations. The exercise tested how small U.S. Special Forces detachments can locate enemy forces, disrupt communications, and provide targeting data for conventional units in Arctic terrain. U.S. Army officials say the training strengthens the military’s ability to operate in contested polar environments where mobility, communications, and logistics are significantly more challenging.
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U.S. soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) conduct cross-country ski mobility training across snow-covered terrain during cold-weather operations preparation at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, on January 24, 2026, enhancing their ability to maneuver and sustain special operations in Arctic environments. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

The exercise placed several U.S. Army Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha (SFOD-A) teams in a supporting role to the division-level fight, focusing on deep reconnaissance, signals intelligence, and disruption of adversary networks. According to officials involved, Green Berets identified high-value targets and provided targeting data to the joint force commander, enabling long-range fires and maneuver elements to engage enemy forces more effectively. Their specialized expertise in signals intelligence and electronic warfare targeted simulated enemy command-and-control and logistics nodes.

Maj. Scott Ratzer, commander of Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, explained that U.S.Special Forces units remain highly relevant in modern large-scale combat operations by combining tactical infiltration with strategic intelligence effects. Through small-team operations, Green Berets located and characterized critical enemy assets on the division’s high-priority target list, enabling conventional forces to strike with precision and disrupt the adversary’s ability to coordinate combat operations.

Before entering JPMRC, U.S. Special Forces teams completed a two-week cold-weather preparation phase to refine essential Arctic survival and operational skills. Operators trained in maneuver across snow, extreme sustainment procedures, and long-duration patrols, emphasizing combat readiness despite equipment and communications challenges in harsh climates.

Extreme cold imposes significant operational challenges: batteries drain quickly, lubricants thicken, weapons may malfunction, and communications become less reliable. Special Forces soldiers must use technical knowledge and disciplined fieldcraft to maintain effectiveness. Senior non-commissioned officers emphasized that basic tasks such as hydration, nutrition, and foot care are critical to operational endurance in Arctic climates.

A key element of the exercise involved testing infiltration options suitable for austere northern terrain. The objective here was to evaluate the efficacy of high-altitude high-opening parachute insertion by the battalion’s military free fall (MFF) team under Arctic conditions. This allowed operators to test cold-weather clothing systems, communications equipment, and load configurations under realistic operational conditions.

High-altitude insertions offer unique advantages in Arctic operations where rugged terrain, limited infrastructure, and severe weather can restrict helicopter or ground infiltration. By validating military free-fall capabilities in subarctic conditions, the exercise confirmed that Special Forces teams can deploy covertly into remote areas and immediately begin reconnaissance or disruption missions. According to a Special Forces detachment commander involved in the test jump, successfully executing MFF infiltration in Arctic environments expands the options available to higher headquarters when positioning special operations teams behind enemy lines.

The rotation also showcased how emerging technologies are reshaping Special Forces reconnaissance methods. Signals intelligence soldiers integrated first-person view (FPV) drones into their surveillance toolkit, enabling rapid confirmation of enemy positions and activity without exposing operators to unnecessary risk. These small, low-signature drones allow teams to observe targets in real time and provide commanders with immediate updates to coordinate fires and maneuver across the battlespace.

The ability to combine human reconnaissance, signals intelligence interception, and drone-based visual confirmation significantly improves targeting accuracy. During JPMRC 26-02, FPV drones enabled U.S. Army Green Berets to quickly validate intelligence and relay precise targeting data to the 11th Airborne Division, enabling rocket and missile strikes against simulated adversary positions. This integration of small unmanned systems with electronic warfare capabilities represents an evolving model for how Special Forces teams contribute to division-level combat operations.

Operating in Alaska provides a uniquely realistic environment for testing these capabilities. The region’s extreme cold, mountainous terrain, and vast distances replicate many of the operational challenges present across the broader Arctic and subarctic regions, including northern Europe and the High North. These areas are increasingly important in strategic competition as melting ice opens new maritime routes and intensifies military activity among Arctic nations.

For the U.S. Army, developing credible Arctic combat capability has become a growing priority. The activation of the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska and the expansion of cold-weather training programs reflect the Pentagon’s broader effort to prepare forces for potential operations in northern theaters. Special Forces units such as the 10th Special Forces Group play a critical role in this strategy because they can deploy small teams capable of operating independently in remote and hostile environments.

The Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center provides the framework for integrating these capabilities into realistic large-scale combat scenarios. Unlike traditional training centers in the continental United States, JPMRC allows units to conduct exercises in the unique geographic conditions of the Indo-Pacific region, including dense jungle, island archipelagos, and extreme cold. This approach enables commanders to test doctrine, equipment, and interoperability in the same environments where future conflicts could occur.

By the conclusion of the JPMRC 26-02 rotation, U.S. Army Green Berets from 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group had demonstrated how elite U.S. Army special operations forces can operate effectively in Arctic conditions while providing critical intelligence and targeting support to conventional formations. Their ability to infiltrate remote terrain, disrupt adversary networks, and integrate emerging technologies such as FPV drones reinforces the U.S. Army’s effort to build agile, lethal forces capable of fighting and winning in any climate.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.