Navy Seeks Special Forces Training In 29 Washington State Parks

OLYMPIA, WA — The U.S. Navy applied this month to expand special forces training to 29 Washington state parks, a sharp increase over the 5 parks where operations are currently allowed. Parks officials said the existing permit was set to expire May 1, 2020.

Navy application documents identify parks in Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Pacific, Island and Skagit counties, including at Deception Pass. Up to 84 trainees and support staff would be involved.

The Navy said some training periods could last as little as two hours, while others may take place over three days. In the application for Deception Pass, trainees would undergo extraction training, practice high-angle climbing, perform "over-the-beach" drills, and participate in surveillance and reconnaissance scenarios.

OUTLINED TRAINING OPERATIONS

• Insertion/Extraction: trainees will practice approaching or leaving shoreline areas in jet skis or small boats.
• High-Angle Climbing: trainees navigate cliffs, rock faces and other "vertical challenges" while carrying full geat.
• Over-The-Beach: trainees practice emerging from the water and crossing a beach quietly, then remaining out of sight for several hours. The Navy said this is a "core training competency," and everyone is required to participate until they satisfy the requirements.
• Surveillance and Reconnaissance: trainees are required to hike to an observation point, without alerting anyone to their presence. Trainees must remain undetected and leave no signs they were there, including any trampled vegetation, broken branches or visible footprints.

According to the application, training periods would not require exclusive use of park properties and, if done properly, were unlikely to disturb the public.

"Most activities are to be carried out during hours of daylight, but with a main objective of this training to be the avoidance of detection, there will likely be minimal interaction with the public by the trainees," the Navy wrote.

According to State Parks, the Navy has protocols in place to stop exercises if a passerby enters the area.

Parks will provide a report on the application during a March 12 meeting in Chelan. The public can provide feedback at a special meeting May 6, at Fort Worden Historical State Park in Port Townsend. Public comments are also accepted online or by mail.

Read more via the Washington State Parks website.