10th SFG(A) and Greek special forces unite for Trojan Footprint 24

NEA PERAMOS, GREECE — Green Berets assigned to 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) worked with Greek special operations forces (SOF) during Exercise Trojan Footprint 24 from March 5 to 18, 2024. Exercise Trojan Footprint (TFP) is the largest SOF exercise in the European theater, in which the U.S. participates. Since 2016, TFP has brought together SOF from across Europe to build interoperability, lethality and deterrence for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Allies and partners.

This year, Greek SOF and 10th SFG(A) participated in a wide set of missions including a military free fall (MFF) jump, special reconnaissance (SR), a raid and an ambush operation. The operational detachment alphas (SFOD-A) focused on U.S. SOF core competencies to include unconventional warfare and direct action.

“Greek SOF are great partners and we see them as brothers in arms,” said a 3-10, 10th SFG(A) Detachment Commander. “We learn from each other regarding how we conduct missions and TFP training leads to better synchronization of tactics, techniques and procedures for future cooperation.”

A Team Sergeant with 3-10, 10th SFG(A) commented that Greek SOF provided essential knowledge for navigating challenging terrain, a key component to infiltration and exfiltration planning for the aforementioned operations. They also offered local operational insights, contributing to mission success.

The exercise began with 10th SFG(A) and Greek SOF participating in a joint weapons range, testing several weapon systems. This range helped build rapport amongst the teams and as a way to share tactics.

The teams also executed a high altitude MFF jump, exiting a MC130-J aircraft and landing at Megara drop zone. For special reconnaissance, the teams maneuvered to two observation points under cover of darkness and positively identified a target with a first person view (FPV) drone. Support by fire was requested with four Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles to destroy the target.

“The SR mission was a full mission profile, which included combined planning, rehearsals. communications, and execution,” said a 3-10, 10th SFG(A) Detachment Commander. “This leads to better interoperability through the opportunity to tactically employ Greek SOF in a simulated environment.”

In the days following, the teams raided a logistics compound, neutralizing enemy forces and conducting sensitive site exploitation. Sensitive site exploitation is the act of collecting information and material to aid in the extraction of intelligence.

As a culminating event, the teams accomplished a successful ambush of an enemy convoy. They started their patrol, drove to a vehicle drop off point and negotiated heavy woods by foot to a location where enemy forces were expected to pass. The teams set claymore mines near a road and waited in their designated positions.

The teams neutralized the convoy, cleared the objective 30 meters past the convoy and exfiltrated the ambush site. Following the exercise, a Greek special operations forces officer weighed in on the training and commented on his experience with Green Berets.

“The Green Berets are renowned for their advanced training, strategic capabilities and operational successes,” said the Greek SOF officer. “I am confident that in the event of real combat, Greek and American forces would enable us to confront any challenges we may face on the battlefield.”

He also added that Greece's location in the Mediterranean provides him and his men unique insights into regional dynamics, including political, economic and security challenges. In closing, he mentioned that Greece’s strong military capabilities and commitment to NATO’s collective defense make it a key contributor to European stability.

According to Special Operations Command Europe, Trojan Footprint 24 development started in July 2022 and took place at multiple locations in Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, Romania and Georgia. 2024 marked the celebration of NATO’s 75th Anniversary, which is relevant to all of the exercises involving Allies and partners, to include Trojan Footprint 24. TFP 24 was part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Large Scale Global Exercise 24, which is an all-domain exercise series that executes a range of joint multinational military activities and operations.