About this Unit
The 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), also known as 10th SFG(A), was activated in 1952 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, making it one of the first Special Forces units in the U.S. Army. Originally focused on operations in Europe during the Cold War, the unit was stationed in Germany before relocating its headquarters to Fort Carson, Colorado, with a forward presence maintained in Germany. The 10th SFG has participated in numerous operations, including counterterrorism, unconventional warfare, and foreign internal defense missions throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The unit played prominent roles in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, exemplifying its motto: "De Oppresso Liber"—To Free the Oppressed.
Historical Facts
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Origins in the Cold War: The 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), or 10th SFG(A), was activated on June 19, 1952, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, with a mission focused on unconventional warfare in Soviet-occupied Europe during the Cold War.
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First Special Forces Group: The 10th SFG was the first Special Forces unit created in the US Army and set the standard for all subsequent Special Forces Groups.
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OSS Legacy: Many of its original members were veterans of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the World War II predecessor to the CIA and Army Special Forces.
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Green Beret Symbolism: The group played a key role in establishing the green beret as the hallmark of Army Special Forces, with the beret officially adopted in 1961.
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Early European Deployment: In 1953, half of the unit was deployed to Bad Tölz, West Germany, making it the first Special Forces unit to be stationed permanently in Europe.
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Modern-Day Missions: The 10th SFG has participated in nearly every major US military conflict since its founding, including Vietnam, the Gulf War, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and counterterrorism operations in Africa and the Middle East.
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Mountain Warfare Expertise: The group is renowned for its training and expertise in mountain and cold-weather warfare, conducting rigorous exercises in the Alps and the Rocky Mountains.
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Operation Viking Hammer: In 2003, 10th SFG operators led Operation Viking Hammer in Northern Iraq, partnering with Kurdish Peshmerga to defeat Ansar al-Islam, an al-Qaeda affiliate, in fierce mountain combat.
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Language and Cultural Training: Members of the 10th SFG are trained in multiple languages and cultures, particularly Eastern European and Middle Eastern, to enhance their effectiveness in foreign internal defense and unconventional warfare.
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Current Headquarters: Today, the 10th SFG is headquartered at Fort Carson, Colorado, with a forward presence in Europe (Stuttgart, Germany), maintaining its original focus on European and African theaters.
