Trojan Footprint 21

May 9, 2021 Tactica

Focused on improving the ability of SOF to counter different threats, Trojan Footprint is also Special Operations Command-Europe’s (SOCEUR) primary SOF certification event where they demonstrate proficiencies, assess the readiness and lethality of their respective forces and continue improving interoperability with NATO allies and partners.

Romanian, Ukrainian and U.S. Army Green Berets conduct close quarters battle (CQB) training (courtesy photo by Romanian captain Roxana Davidovits)

SOF and conventional forces from ten nations, Bulgaria, Georgia, Germany, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and the United States, participate in Trojan Footprint from May 3-14, 2021. Trojan Footprint 21 is hosted by Bulgaria, Georgia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Romania.

Romanian, Ukrainian and U.S. Army Green Berets call for fire from a U.K. Typhoon fighter jet (Courtesy photo by Romanian captain Roxana Davidovits)

Romania is hosting an integrated contingent that includes: U.S. Army Green Berets, U.S. Navy SEALs, U.S. Naval Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen, U.S. Air Force Commandos, U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Operators.

Specifically in Romania, the focus will be on land, air, and sea training which includes: Close Air Support (CAS) with Joint Terminal Attack Controllers calling for fire from an AC-130 gunship; Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS); Vehicle Interdiction; Over the Beach (OTB); Close Quarters Combat (CQC); Fast Rope Infiltration and Extraction (FRIES); Special Reconnaissance.

Bulgarian Special Operation Forces (SOF), Spanish SOF and U.S. Army Green Berets assigned to 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) conduct a multi-national weapons familiarization range in Plovdiv, Bulgaria on May 1, 2021 as a lead up to Trojan Footprint 21. (U.S. Army photo by SSG Travis Fontane)

“While the exercise is focused on improving the ability of SOF to counter a myriad of threats, it also increases integration with conventional forces and enhances interoperability with our NATO allies and European partners. Most importantly, Trojan Footprint fortifies military readiness, cultivates trust, and develops lasting relationships which promote peace and stability throughout Europe,” said Col. Marc V. LaRoche, Deputy Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR).

Romanian, Ukrainian and U.S. Army Green Berets repel down a tower. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Patrik Orcutt)

The SOCEUR-led exercise will provide these units an opportunity to test and prove multi-domain tactics, techniques and procedures. All-domain operations leverage the professional skillsets of air, land and sea forces to execute a complex mission, increasing the lethality and readiness of these forces in the Black Sea region.