I N T R E P X

The U.S. Army Special Forces, commonly known as the Green Berets, are an elite force trained for unconventional warfare, direct action, counterinsurgency, and foreign internal defense. One of the key ways they maintain their effectiveness is through their organization into Special Forces Groups (SFGs), each focused on specific geographical regions. Below is an overview of each group, its history, and its regional specialization.

1st Special Forces Group (Airborne): Asia-Pacific

• Founded: June 24, 1957

• Headquarters: Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

• Area of Responsibility: Asia and the Pacific, including countries like the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand.

The 1st SFG(A) was activated in Okinawa, Japan, during the Cold War to counter the spread of communism in Asia. It played a crucial role during the Vietnam War, advising South Vietnamese forces and conducting counterinsurgency operations. Today, it focuses on strengthening alliances in the Asia-Pacific region, often training with partner nations to enhance regional stability.

3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne): Africa

• Founded: December 5, 1963 (Reactivated in 1990)

• Headquarters: Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), North Carolina

• Area of Responsibility: Sub-Saharan Africa.

Initially active during the Vietnam War, the 3rd SFG was deactivated in 1969 and reactivated in 1990 to address growing challenges in Africa. Its missions have included counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel region and training African forces to combat extremist groups like Boko Haram and al-Shabaab.

5th Special Forces Group (Airborne): Middle East

• Founded: September 21, 1961

• Headquarters: Fort Campbell, Kentucky

• Area of Responsibility: The Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia.

The 5th SFG played a pivotal role in the Vietnam War, conducting covert operations. Post-9/11, it was heavily involved in the initial invasion of Afghanistan, working with local militias to overthrow the Taliban. It continues to operate in Iraq, Syria, and other parts of the Middle East to combat terrorism and support U.S. allies.

7th Special Forces Group (Airborne): Latin America

• Founded: May 20, 1960

• Headquarters: Eglin Air Force Base, Florida

• Area of Responsibility: Central and South America.

The 7th SFG has a long history of partnering with Latin American nations to counter drug trafficking and insurgency. During the Cold War, it supported operations against communist movements in Central America. It remains active in counter-narcotics and humanitarian missions across the region.

10th Special Forces Group (Airborne): Europe

• Founded: June 19, 1952

• Headquarters: Fort Carson, Colorado (with a forward base in Germany)

• Area of Responsibility: Europe and parts of the Caucasus.

The 10th SFG was the first Special Forces Group activated and was designed to counter Soviet influence in Europe during the Cold War. It worked closely with NATO allies and continues to focus on Eastern Europe and counter-Russian aggression, especially in light of recent conflicts like the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

19th Special Forces Group (Airborne): National Guard – Multiple Regions

• Founded: 1961

• Headquarters: Draper, Utah

• Area of Responsibility: Asia, the Pacific, and the United States.

The 19th SFG is a National Guard unit that supports active-duty groups while also responding to domestic emergencies. Its operators are highly trained and often integrate into international missions.

20th Special Forces Group (Airborne): National Guard – Multiple Regions

• Founded: 1961

• Headquarters: Birmingham, Alabama

• Area of Responsibility: Central and South America, the Middle East, and domestic operations.

Like the 19th SFG, the 20th SFG supports global missions and provides domestic support in times of crisis. It has been instrumental in counterterrorism and counter-narcotics missions in the Americas.

11th and 12th Special Forces Groups (Deactivated)

These groups were part of the Army Reserve but were deactivated in the 1990s. Their missions have since been absorbed by active-duty and National Guard units.

Conclusion

The U.S. Army Special Forces’ division into geographically oriented groups allows for unparalleled expertise and focus in specific regions. With a storied history in conflicts ranging from the Cold War to modern counterterrorism efforts, each group continues to fulfill its mission of protecting U.S. interests and building partnerships worldwide.