Soldiers to infiltrate 15 NC counties

FORT BRAGG The Army Special Forces Command has announced they are beginning a new qualifying test for 106 potential Green Berets. The test, called the Robin Sage exercise, is designed to give realistic training in unconventional warfare.

The exercise begins Saturday and runs through Jan. 22. It will expand across 15 counties in largely rural central North Carolina.

The student-soldiers will practice infiltrating the country of "Pineland," which will stretch across Alamance, Anson, Cabarrus, Chatham, Davidson, Guilford, Hoke, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Richmond, Rowan, Scotland, Stanly and Union counties.

The Army says some residents may hear blank gunfire and see occasional flares.

Some form of the Robin Sage has been conducted for nearly 50 years.