Contributed photo Special Forces candidates will be making their way across a 15-county span that includes Richmond County during their Robin Sage training that begins today. You may hear blank gunfire, and could possibly see flares. If you become concerned, contact local law enforcement.

slideshow

As Robin Sage military training ramps up in the area today, you may see occasional flares and hear blank gunfire.

The two-week training exercise for Army Special Forces candidates is a role-playing exercise that takes place over 15 counties in the Cape Fear region, dubbed “Pineland.”

From March 9 through March 20, soldiers will take part in the exercise, officials said.

In Robin Sage, Special Forces candidates support guerrilla forces. It is the final Special Forces training exercise before students graduate and move to an assignment with one of the Army’s Special Forces units.

More than 100 students will participate in the exercise, where they will be tasked with infiltrating areas in small groups to train guerrilla forces to move, fight, communicate and provide medical aid, officials said.

Pineland consists of parts of Richmond, Hoke, Montgomery, Moore and Scotland counties, among others. Throughout the exercise, Special Forces candidates and Robin Sage role-players not only conduct missions, but also live, eat and sleep in these civilian areas.

Events have been coordinated with public safety officials throughout the area, according to the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School Public Affairs Office.

Residents with concerns should contact local law enforcement, who will contact exercise control officials.

Students who will wear only civilian clothes if the situation warrants also will wear a distinctive armband during these instances. People role-playing as Pineland law enforcement officers wear distinctive hats and armbands.

For more information, contact the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School Public Affairs Office at 910-396-9394 or pao_swcs@soc.mil.