What is Jade Helm 15 (and should Chuck Norris be worried)?
It's been said that actor and martial arts master "can put out a fire using a gallon of gasoline.鈥�
But Mr. Norris' claim that the upcoming multi-state US military training exercise,, is really a plan to take over Texas, has done just the opposite, inflaming conspiracy theorists while prompting both jokes and official explanations.
The (USASOC) announced on March 24 that its members will train with other US Armed Forces units from July 15 through Sept. 15 in a multi-state exercise called Jade Helm 15.
According to a USASOC website, 鈥淭o stay ahead of the environmental challenges faced overseas, Jade Helm will take place across seven states. However, Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) will only train in five states: Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado. The diverse terrain in these states replicates areas Special Operations Soldiers regularly find themselves operating in overseas.鈥�
The exercise will be conducted on private and public land with the permission of the private landowners, and from state and local authorities, according to the announcement.听
about Jade Helm 15 in a commentary for the conservative website WND last weekend, pointing to the decision of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to have the Texas State Guard as evidence that the operations as a potential threat to the state鈥檚 sovereignty.
Governor Abbott wrote: 鈥淒uring the training operation, it is important that Texans know their safety, constitutional rights, private property rights and civil liberties will not be infringed.鈥� And Abbott听is demanding 鈥渞egular updates on the progress and safety of the Operation.鈥�
Norris fanned the conspiracy flames by writing: 鈥淐oncerned Texans and Americans are in no way calling into question our brave and courageous men and women in uniform. They are merely following orders. What鈥檚 under question are those who are pulling the strings at the top of Jade Helm 15 back in Washington. The US government says, 鈥業t鈥檚 just a training exercise.鈥� But I鈥檓 not sure the term 鈥榡ust鈥� has any reference to reality when the government uses it.鈥�
According to , Walmart issued a statement to Talking Points Memo debunking a conspiracy theory that the military has already created a system of underground tunnels below five closed Walmart outlets and that 鈥渢he closed stores, one of which is located in Texas, will serve as 鈥榝ood distribution centers鈥� and will be used to 鈥榟ouse the headquarters of invading troops from China, here to disarm Americans one by one.鈥�"
Twitter erupted with #JadeHelm15 tweets ranging from conspiracy theories to Dr. Who parodies and memes.
Asked to respond to Mr. Norris鈥� and others鈥� concerns, the USASOC Public Affairs office in Fort Bragg, N.C.,听answered the following questions:听
How often does the Army or National Guard do such training exercises?
鈥淯S Army Special Operations Command has conducted multistate training exercises before but Jade Helm-15 will become the largest.鈥�
听What is Jade Helm15 really?
鈥淭raining exercise Jade Helm is a routine training event that provides US Army Special Operations Forces the opportunity to practice core special warfare tasks for use overseas to help protect our national security interests. The training exercise will be conducted on military bases, private, state and federal lands from July 15th through Sept. 15th, 2015. All exercise activities have been precoordinated with federal, state and municipal officials, as well as with volunteer private land owners."听
"US Army Special Operations Command is conducting Jade Helm-15 to train US Special Operations Forces to respond to an international crisis.听 Personnel will train together during this eight-week period to further strengthen their working relationship for future deployments. They will also use this opportunity to further develop tactics, techniques, and procedures for emerging concepts in SOF warfare.鈥�
Mr. Norris appears to base his fears on having seen the training maps which have Texas labeled as "Hostile." Can you please respond to this point?
鈥淭he 'hostile' label was part of the exercise design. It is fictional and is not intended to represent any belief that the state of Texas is hostile.鈥�
Can you please address the concerns he has over the use of abandon Walmart locations for any military purpose.
鈥淭he rumors about Jade Helm and any association with recent closings of Walmarts are untrue.鈥�
Mr. Norris also contends this exercise is really a prelude to a declaration of martial law.
鈥淣o. Training exercise Jade Helm does not have anything to do with martial law.听 Its sole purpose it to train US Special Operations Forces in their core skill sets for future use overseas.鈥�
听Does Chuck Norris have anything to be worried about?
鈥淣辞.鈥�
