U.S. Special Forces Green Berets Gain Tactical Drone Capability for Recon and Targeting.

U.S. Army Green Berets from the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) completed an advanced drone training program at Fort Carson, Colorado, aimed at integrating small unmanned aerial systems into special operations missions. The training strengthens battlefield reconnaissance and precision targeting capabilities as the U.S. Army adapts to drone-heavy combat environments.

U.S. Army Green Berets assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) have completed an intensive three-week advanced drone training course at Fort Carson, Colorado, aimed at embedding small unmanned aerial systems directly into special operations tactics. The program trained operators to build, modify, repair, and deploy tactical UASs (Unmanned Aerial Systems) while conducting reconnaissance and precision targeting in contested environments. U.S. Army officials say the initiative reflects growing demand for highly adaptable drone capabilities within U.S. Special Forces teams operating in complex modern battlefields where real-time intelligence and low signature surveillance are critical.
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A Green Beret from the U.S. Army’s 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) performs pre-flight inspections on a small unmanned aerial system during the Advanced Drone Course at Fort Carson, Colorado, on February 19, 2026. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

The Advanced Drone Course, held from February 9 to 27, 2026, and led by instructors from the 4th Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), combined classroom instruction with practical exercises across multiple tactical ranges. Green Berets trained alongside a soldier from the U.S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division, reflecting the growing importance of cross-unit expertise in small UAS operations as the Army increasingly integrates drone capabilities across its force structure.

The program addresses a critical shift in modern warfare. Small unmanned aerial systems have evolved from niche reconnaissance assets into central battlefield tools used for intelligence gathering, target acquisition, and precision engagement support. Conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and other operational theaters have demonstrated how low-cost drones can dramatically reshape tactical awareness and strike capabilities at the squad and platoon level.

Training focused on both the technical and tactical dimensions of drone warfare. U.S. soldiers developed hands-on expertise in soldering electronic components, assembling airframes, configuring flight-control software, and piloting small UASs (Unmanned Aerial Systems) under challenging environmental conditions. Exercises included drone maneuvering in high-wind environments and in degraded-communications scenarios, simulating operational conditions commonly encountered on austere or contested battlefields.

The course was designed to ensure that U.S. Army Special Forces operators understand both the opportunities and vulnerabilities associated with the employment of small UAS. Rather than replacing traditional soldier skills, drones are treated as an extension of battlefield awareness and operational flexibility. When integrated with ground maneuver tactics, UAS platforms can dramatically improve situational awareness, shorten sensor-to-shooter timelines, and support precision targeting in complex terrain.

A core element of the training focused on battlefield sustainment of drone systems. Instructors emphasized that U.S. Special Forces teams often operate in remote environments without access to conventional maintenance infrastructure. Graduates, therefore, learn to diagnose and repair drone malfunctions independently, replacing damaged motors, soldering new electronic components, and modifying airframes to maintain operational readiness.

The training approach emphasizes field-level repair capabilities and operational self-sufficiency. The U.S. Army Special Forces operators are trained to troubleshoot malfunctions, replace damaged components, and restore drones to operational status while deployed in austere environments, ensuring that small UAS assets remain available during extended missions.

This training initiative reflects broader modernization efforts across the U.S. Army to expand the use of small UAS at the tactical edge. The service has invested heavily in programs such as the Short-Range Reconnaissance (SRR) drone program, the Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) family of systems, and experimental loitering munitions for infantry units. These platforms aim to provide small units with organic intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities previously available only to higher-echelon formations.

For U.S. Special Forces, however, the operational value of drones extends beyond surveillance. Small UAS platforms can support unconventional warfare missions, special reconnaissance, direct-action raids, and counterterrorism operations by providing real-time aerial awareness in denied or high-risk environments. Their portability and relatively low logistical footprint make them particularly valuable for Special Forces teams operating independently or alongside partner forces.

The emphasis on hands-on technical mastery also reflects lessons learned from recent conflicts where rapid drone innovation has occurred at the tactical level. Soldiers capable of modifying commercial systems, adapting components, or repairing equipment in the field can maintain operational continuity even when supply chains are disrupted or equipment losses occur.

Strategically, programs like the Advanced Drone Course highlight the U.S. Army’s recognition that the low-altitude air domain has become a contested and decisive layer of modern combat. Small drones now influence battlefield outcomes by enabling persistent surveillance, precision targeting, electronic warfare integration, and even improvised strike capabilities.

By equipping Green Berets with both the technical and tactical expertise required to sustain and employ these systems independently, the U.S. Army 10th Special Forces Group is strengthening its ability to operate effectively in technologically complex environments where adaptability and innovation determine operational success.

As drone technology continues to proliferate globally, initiatives such as this training program ensure that U.S. Special Operations Forces maintain an advantage in exploiting small UAS capabilities while countering similar systems used by adversaries.

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.