Security Forces Conducts Certification Exercise with 75th Ranger Regiment

In a high-stakes environment where precision, grit, and adaptability define success, the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment conducted its Battalion-level certification exercise in preparation for its Global Force Management tasking Aug. 12-21, 2025, at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin and K.I. Sawyer, Michigan.  

This rigorous event wasn’t just a proving ground for the Rangers—it became a growth experience for approximately 115 Air National Guard Security Forces members, who served as the Red Force opposition, with six Defenders from the 184th Security Forces Squadron in attendance. 

The exercise kicked off with a three-day Red Force Academy led by the Rangers, immersing the Defenders in advanced tactical instruction. This was followed by three days of full mission profiles, where the Defenders faced off against approximately 600 Rangers in simulated assaults.  

The scale and intensity of the exercise tested every facet of their readiness. 

Key training highlights included: 

• Counter-small unmanned aerial systems  

• Orders of movement and tactics, techniques and procedures at the Battalion level 

• Ranger-specific concepts of operations and mission planning 

• Airfield assault tactics and machine gun emplacement 

• Ruck packing and wear techniques 

• Night operations with night-vision goggles 

• Ingress and egress procedures under fire 

Throughout the exercise, the Defenders advanced their own mission-essential tasks, with approximately 40% of their Career Field Education and Training Plan tasks projected complete. They demonstrated autonomous defense planning and executed Air Base Ground Defense across two simulated installations.  

Army National Guard rotary wing assets provided critical lift support, enhancing mobility and realism during the field training exercise. 

What stood out most to the Defenders was the Rangers’ disciplined simplicity. Their ability to “master the basics” translated into fluid, high-impact execution. This observation wasn’t lost on the ANG SFS, whose primary mission essential task—Installation Defense—complemented the Rangers’ focus on airfield assault.  

The exercise revealed not only tactical differences but also striking similarities in training. The Defenders returned home with sharpened skills and a renewed sense of confidence. 

They recognized that while the Rangers operate at an elite level of execution, the core principles and training methodologies between the two forces share common ground. This mutual respect and tactical synergy made the exercise not just a certification event—but a transformative experience.