US Army Elite Forces Showcase Military Power in Simulated Exercise Alongside Taiwan against CCP Participants

In a military exercise held at Fort Bragg military base in North Carolina, the deafening sound of quadcopter drones slicing through the sky marked the beginning of a shocking display. Initially faint and hard to track, the sound grew louder as the drone swarm expanded. The drones swooped over desolate dirt roads and empty buildings, followed by bombs dropping and deafening explosions. People were struck, collapsing to the ground, screaming in agony, bloodied and dusty. The scene was chaotic.

The annual “Capabilities Exercise” (CAPEX) conducted by the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) at Fort Bragg showcased emerging technologies, innovations, and unique combat capabilities. This exercise, based on realistic war scenarios, focused on cross-regional operations, the importance of military modernization, and its impact on the US military’s ability to win in large-scale multi-domain conflicts.

USASOC advocates for unconventional warfare and modernization within the US Army and uses training environments to develop technologies that enhance the global operational capabilities of Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF).

The CAPEX exercise, open to the public, aimed to provide insight into the training content of the US Army Special Operations Forces and how they would respond to potential real-world conflicts. This year’s scenario simulated a potential invasion of Taiwan by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), raising concerns as CCP’s military modernization poses an increasing threat.

During the exercise, General Jonathan Braga, commander of the US Army Special Operations Command, briefed on the threat posed by a potential CCP invasion of Taiwan. He emphasized that CCP leadership had indicated the need to prepare for an invasion by 2027.

In a hearing on the military deployment and national security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, General Samuel Paparo, the commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, disclosed that CCP’s pressure tactics against Taiwan had escalated by 300% in 2024.

General Paparo reiterated in written testimony that CCP’s aggressive actions around Taiwan were not just military exercises but also “dress rehearsals” for a forced unification through military means.

Though the timing of a potential CCP invasion of Taiwan remains uncertain, General Braga highlighted that the CCP threat is exponentially growing and becoming the most significant challenge the US faces. This challenge has shaped the training methods and capabilities development of the US Army Special Operations Forces.

During the CAPEX exercise, Army Special Operations personnel extensively discussed priorities, with a primary focus on unmanned aerial systems and other unmanned systems. The exercise simulated a CCP drone attack that resulted in several “casualties,” prompting the demonstration of crisis response and medical capabilities by the Army Special Operations Forces. The exercise was conducted with precision, handling minor injuries, assessing severe cases, and taking immediate action.

As the Army Special Operations Forces launched an attack to secure enemy territory and establish temporary aerial corridors, the exercise reached its climax. Upon securing the aerial corridors, forces from the 75th Ranger Regiment and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment entered the area and targeted a key enemy facility: the command control center. Two MH-47 “Chinook” heavy transport helicopters raced in from a distant tree line, and two assault teams swiftly descended from the helicopters via ropes, engaging in rapid rope insertion.

The assault teams first cleared the building and then prepared to destroy the enemy command building. The simulated operation also included an enemy counterattack.

The CAPEX exercise showcased various aspects of potential combat in the event of a CCP invasion of Taiwan and highlighted the response capabilities of the Army Special Operations Forces. The exercise also demonstrated civil affairs operations, including language courses and mental health requirements.