TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Army Special Forces Command (陸軍特種作戰指揮部) recently showcased its involvement in the United States' Northern Strike exercise during the 5th Battalion's (第5營) final drill of 2024. This event, held at a special operations base (特戰基地) in December, underscores the deepening military relationship between Taiwan and the U.S.
The training exercise saw fully armed Special Forces personnel wielding T-91 rifles, simulating infiltration and managing unexpected scenarios. Officers guided troops with small radios and employed jamming guns to counter enemy drones, creating a training environment that closely mimics real combat situations. Observers noted Northern Strike patches on some uniforms, indicating participation in the U.S. National Guard Bureau's exercise.
Military expert Chen Kuo-ming (陳國銘) stressed the significance of learning from the U.S.'s vast combat experience, which is seen as a means to enhance Taiwan's military capabilities and deter potential aggression from China. Lin Ying-yu (林穎佑), another expert, pointed out that Taiwan's Special Forces could rely on U.S. systems for signal reception if the People's Liberation Army disrupts ground communications.
As Taiwan-U.S. military cooperation intensifies, the Special Forces have incorporated U.S. training methods. Current operations involve six-member teams, with plans for 12-member detachments in each combined battalion. Taiwan's military continues to learn from U.S. Special Operations capabilities, showcasing its commitment to defense readiness and training excellence.
