USSOF Training with CENTCOM partners remain fundamental to successful operations

Photo By Staff Sgt. John Todd | Civil affairs team personnel train Kyrgyz State Border Service (SBS) personnel on medevac of injured personnel during a joint training mission in the CASAs June 15-19, 2026. The training focused on the utilization of the SKEDCO stretcher in rugged terrain and movement of personnel that were non-ambulatory.  

KYRGYZSTAN

09.04.2026

Courtesy Story

U.S. Special Operations Command Central

A U.S. Civil Affairs team aligned under Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) conducted a tactical mountaineering and combat casualty care training engagement with members of the Kyrgyz State Border Service (SBS) near Tash-Komur, Kyrgyzstan, June 15-19, 2026.

The U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) Civil Military Support Element (CMSE) conducted the week-long event alongside the SBS to further enhance combined training efforts into medical evacuation operations in austere environments. U.S. SOF Civil Affairs continue to remain uniquely accustomed to the specialized methodologies required to enable successful operations in the CENTCOM area of responsibility and helped to leverage key survival techniques into the combined training event with their Kyrgyzstan partners.

“Working side-by-side in challenging austere conditions helps foster immense trust and mutual understanding with our partners,” said the U.S. SOF Civil Affairs team lead.

“Training events like these serve as key opportunities to learn from each other and helps to strengthen our own U.S. tactics and approaches.”

Kyrgyz SBS leadership expressed continued interest in expanding cooperation with U.S. SOF to include future training engagements centered around advanced mountaineering techniques, winter operations training, and additional medical skill development.

The ability to operate effectively in mountainous and remote environments is a critical skillset for Kyrgyzstan's units. The training provided the opportunity to further develop capabilities alongside U.S. partners and served as a clear roadmap for deepening the relationship in the months and years ahead.

Civil Military Support elements are small four person U.S. Army Civil Affairs teams that work around the world alongside U.S. Embassies. Their job is to help prevent conflicts, strengthen local partner communities, and counter extremism by working directly with local governments and residents.

• Date Taken: 09.04.2026
• Date Posted: 09.03.2026 10:52
• Story ID: 573883
• Location: KG