Spartan Brigade conducts forced-entry exercise

Spc. Nathan Lycan, a native of Los Angeles, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Alaska, pulls security during a practice forced-entry parachute assault on Malemute drop zone at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Tuesday, April 5, 2016. Having just successfully completed a rigorous evaluation at the Joint Readiness Training Center, the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division is currently the most highly trained brigade combat team in the U.S. Army and is prepared to deploy globally at a moment's notice to execute combat, humanitarian assistance and/or disaster relief operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Justin Connaher)

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Spartan Brigade conducts forced-entry exercise

A paratrooper assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Alaska, lands after jumping from a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III during a practice forced-entry parachute assault on Malemute drop zone at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, April 5, 2016. Having just successfully completed a rigorous evaluation at the Joint Readiness Training Center, the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division is currently the most highly trained brigade combat team in the U.S. Army and is prepared to deploy globally at a moment's notice to execute combat, humanitarian assistance and/or disaster relief operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Alejandro Pena)

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Spartan Brigade conducts forced-entry exercise

A paratrooper assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, proceeds to the rally point after completing a night jump onto Malemute Drop Zone, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 31, 2016. The Soldiers of 4/25 belong to the only American airborne brigade in the Pacific and are trained to execute airborne maneuvers in extreme cold weather/high altitude environments in support of combat, partnership and disaster relief operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Alejandro Pena)

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Spartan Brigade conducts forced-entry exercise

U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, board a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III belonging to the 3rd Wing while conducting a night jump at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 31, 2016. The Soldiers of 4/25 belong to the only American airborne brigade in the Pacific and are trained to execute airborne maneuvers in extreme cold weather/high altitude environments in support of combat, partnership and disaster relief operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Alejandro Pena)

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Spartan Brigade conducts forced-entry exercise

Published April 8, 2016
By JBER Public Affairs
Staff Report

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Paratroopers of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Alaska, conducted airborne operations including a nighttime jump and a forced-entry exercise on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson March 31 through April 7.

Soldiers seized Malemute Drop Zone, which simulated enemy territory, and cleared it for follow-on troops.

The ability to parachute into hostile territory and create an airfield for U.S. and allied forces to use in an invasion is one of a paratrooper's foremost capabilities.

The 4-25, fresh from a rigorous rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana, is one of the most highly trained brigade combat teams in the Army, and one of only six airborne brigades.

They are the only airborne brigade in the Pacific region.

The Spartans are prepared to deploy globally at a moment's notice to execute combat, humanitarian assistance, partnership, or disaster-relief operations around the world.

The partnership with Air Force units at JBER means aircraft are ready to assist with troop transport for exercises, training and real-world missions.

Members of the BCT are trained in high-altitude and extreme cold-weather operations.

The brigade, activated in 2005, has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as to Afghanistan, with two deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.