77th Group Airbourne Fort Bragg

• Origins as the 77th Special Forces Group: The 77th Special Forces Group (Airborne) was activated in 1953 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, during the early years of the Cold War to expand the U.S. Army's unconventional warfare capabilities. • Predecessor to the 7th Special Forces Group: The 77th was re-designated as the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in 1960, making it the direct predecessor of this famed modern unit. • Green Beret Legacy: The 77th was among the first units to wear the iconic green beret, which became a symbol of U.S. Army Special Forces worldwide. • Unconventional Warfare Training: Soldiers in the 77th trained extensively in guerrilla tactics, sabotage, subversion, and foreign languages, setting the standard for future Special Forces units. • Cold War Missions: The unit’s original mission was to organize, train, and assist guerrilla resistance movements behind enemy lines in the event of a Soviet invasion of Europe. • Latin American Focus: Even before its re-designation, the 77th developed expertise in Latin American languages and cultures, a focus that continued with the 7th SFG(A). • Operation Sagebrush: In 1955, the 77th participated in Operation Sagebrush, a massive military exercise simulating the defense of the southern U.S., testing airborne and unconventional warfare tactics. • First Use of the "Special Forces" Title: The 77th Group was among the first to officially use the title "Special Forces," helping to popularize the term in the U.S. Army. • Deactivation and Legacy: The 77th Special Forces Group was deactivated on May 20, 1960, but its lineage and traditions were carried on by the 7th SFG(A). • Fort Bragg’s Role: Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty) has remained the home of Army Special Forces, with the 77th’s legacy still honored in today’s Special Operations community.