Training for success in extreme conditions

OVANDO – While most people come to the area to recreate in the winter due to ample snowfall and great terrain, the US Army 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) is here on a different mission. Public Affairs Officer for the 10SFG(A) Major Pete Bogart said they are conducting routine cold weather training in the area to improve the group's ability to conduct mountain operations in extreme cold weather conditions.

The 10SFG(A), also known as Green Berets, is based at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs. While Bogart said the area is close to many excellent training opportunities, training in Montana gives the soldiers unique challenges including colder weather and an unfamiliar training environment.

"Training away from our home station is critical to our unit's ability and adaptability to successfully accomplish a wide multitude of missions," Bogart wrote in an email. "[The area offers] extreme cold weather and challenging terrain to prepare our Special Operations Soldiers to thrive and win in that environment."

Bogart said the area has a long history of special operations training that dates back to the first Special Service Force in World War II.

"Different environments provide opportunities to experience new training experiences," Bogart wrote. "These environments add realism and greater training value to our Special Operations Soldiers. Our Special Operations Soldiers must be able to move quickly and safely through the mountains in extreme conditions."

Since January, the Green Berets have been in the area, utilized the Seeley Lake Ranger District Monture Guard Station and conducted trainings in the backcountry. Bogart said the 10SFG(A) maintains strong relationships locally and regionally across multiple organizations and local governments and have ongoing land use agreements in Colorado, Montana and in other areas of the United States.

Cold weather training for the 10SFG(A) includes: honing skills in a variety of cold weather activities from ski and snowshoe movement trainings to snowmobile training; survival skills and building soldiers' confidence in extreme cold weather conditions; ice dive training; ice climbing; and winter warfare. While the specific trainings being conducted in the area this year were not released, Bogart said they appreciate the enduring support of the citizens and residents in the surrounding areas during this military training.

"We are grateful for the support of the US Forest Service and other local and regional organizations that we partner with," Bogart wrote. "Land use agreements and coordination with local law enforcement and federal and state park agencies have been closely arranged and synchronized. [It] provides us with the opportunity to provide challenging and realistic training in unfamiliar environments... ensuring the safety of the general public and military personnel while conducting this valuable training."