US troops in Middle East undergo Pathfinder training to boost airborne skills PHOTO

In January 2026, servicemen of the U.S. Army Central Command (CENTCOM) stationed in the Middle East underwent the Pathfinder training program to enhance their readiness for airborne and assault operations, CENTCOM said on X.

“Last month, U.S. Army Central Soldiers deployed to the Middle East completed a course where they earned Pathfinder badges,” Caliber.Az cites CENTCOM as saying in the post.

“During Pathfinder training, Soldiers gain essential skills needed for planning and execution of complex airborne and air assault missions,” the post reads.

Pathfinder training is a specialized U.S. Army military course that prepares selected soldiers to operate in airborne and air assault environments by enabling them to establish and manage parachute drop zones (DZs) and helicopter landing zones (HLZs) for aircraft and troops. Pathfinders are trained to provide navigation support, ground‑to‑air communications, and air traffic control for Army aviation assets — critical skills for planning and executing complex air operations.

By Khagan Isayev