Turkish Special Forces undergo intense winter combat training
The elite personnel of the Special Forces Command, which plays a critical role in Türkiye's cross-border operations, undergo special training under the harshest conditions during winter, published on March 9, 2025 (IHA Photo)
Türkiye’s elite Special Forces Command, known for playing a crucial role in cross-border operations, is undergoing rigorous training as part of the ‘Winter and Severe Cold Combat Training’ program.
These elite troops, known as the “Maroon Berets,” are preparing to operate in the most challenging conditions to ensure national security.
Elite soldiers prepare for harsh conditions
Special Forces soldiers, who operate in some of the harshest climates, undergo physically and mentally demanding training to enhance their combat readiness.
The ‘Winter and Severe Cold Combat Training’ program focuses on survival and operational effectiveness in extreme conditions, including subzero temperatures, rugged mountainous terrain, and heavy snowfall.
The intensive training includes survival skills, advanced combat techniques, and mobility training in deep snow and high altitudes. This preparation ensures that Turkish Special Forces are always ready for any operational scenario.
A grueling 46-week training program
Candidates for the Special Forces undergo a highly selective recruitment process, requiring a minimum of two to three years of military service.
Volunteers who pass the selection phase enter a 46-week specialized training program that integrates advanced technology, including Türkiye’s first military simulation system, introduced in 2014.
This cutting-edge system allows trainees to complete exercises that would typically take seven hours in just one hour, significantly reducing training time while maintaining efficiency.
Training continues year-round, ensuring that Special Forces personnel are prepared for any mission in any environment.
Simulated training reduces injury risks and costs
A Special Forces instructor emphasized the benefits of simulation training, stating, “The purpose of the Ski Simulation Training Center is to prepare Special Forces personnel to operate in all types of snowy terrain. Before engaging in real-life missions, teams undergo simulation-based training to enhance their skiing and mobility skills in extreme cold.
The four-week severe cold combat phase includes one week of ski simulation and three weeks of real-world exercises.”
The facility provides military ski training, snowshoe movement, casualty evacuation, and tactical mobility drills. “Simulation-based training ensures cost-effective, safe, and efficient education by reducing injury risks and optimizing preparation time,” the instructor added.
Advanced field training in high-altitude terrain
Following simulation training, Special Forces trainees continue their winter exercises in Türkiye’s mountainous regions. The program includes high-altitude operations, deep snow maneuvering, and cold-weather survival techniques.
Key training elements include:
- Basic and advanced skiing techniques
- Snowshoe movement for enhanced mobility in deep snow
- Ski-based tactical movement on steep slopes
- Operation planning, first aid, and high-altitude adaptation
- Avalanche rescue and stealth movement in combat scenarios
To sustain prolonged operations in freezing conditions, trainees undergo specialized combat training, including survival skills, tracking, and resourceful food procurement in the wild.
Final stage: Realistic combat drills
In the last phase of the program, trainees participate in a three-day intensive field exercise.
This final assessment tests survival capabilities, tracking skills, and tactical maneuverability in extreme weather conditions.
The Special Forces training curriculum is continuously updated based on operational feedback, ensuring that personnel remain prepared for real-world combat scenarios.
A Special Forces official highlighted the importance of winter training: “The goal of the Severe Cold Combat Training program is to equip personnel with the knowledge, skills, endurance, and adaptability required for operations in mountainous, snowy, and harsh environments.”
Special Forces soldiers receive extensive training in avalanche response, winter camouflage, emergency evacuation, and shelter-building to enhance their combat effectiveness.
“As the Special Forces Command, we stand ready to fulfill the national security needs of the Republic of Türkiye under any circumstances,” the official added.
