1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) evaluates CBRN teams at Exercise Dragon Sage

DUGWAY PROVING GROUND, Utah — 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) hosted its semiannual Dragon Sage exercise at Dugway Proving Ground from Aug. 29 to… DUGWAY PROVING GROUND, Utah — 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) hosted its semiannual Dragon Sage exercise at Dugway Proving Ground from Aug. 29 to Sept. 12, 2026. The two-week exercise evaluates the combat readiness of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialists across chemical reconnaissance-decontamination teams, known as CRDTs, within the formation. Ultimately, it assesses and strengthens CRDT proficiency in preparation for operational alignment with a Special Forces battalion. “The exercise typically evaluates 42 Soldiers across six teams on CBRN skills,” said Capt. Justin Carollo, a CBRN officer assigned to 1st SFC (A).

“It is primarily designed for 74-series Soldiers supporting Special Operations Forces, but it can be tailored for other organizations, including the FBI, explosive ordnance disposal units and other SOF elements.” During the exercise, CRDTs are evaluated on CBRN-specific tasks such as mission planning and threat assessment, operations in confined-space or subterranean environments, decontamination operations and SOF sensitive site exploitation. The results are provided to the team’s higher headquarters as a performance summary to support the commander’s validation of the team. According to Spc. Tristan Oleson, a CBRN specialist assigned to 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), the exercise provided an opportunity to test his operational