Unit History Flashcards
Where and when was 7th Special Forces originally constituted as the 1st Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Service Forces?
9 July 1942 at Camp William Harrison, Montana
What was the national makeup of the 1st Special Service Forces when they were first constituted?
The 1st SSF was first comprised of Canadian and American Soldiers
What was the 1st SSF’s original purpose for being formed?
The 1st SSF was organized and trained to conduct commando raids against Nazi Germany’s fledgling nuclear weapons capability in the Scandinavian region of occupied Europe
What was the 1st SSF’s nickname during it’s European campaign?
“The Devil’s Brigade”
Describe the 1st SSF Unit Insignia
A red arrowhead with “USA” embroidered in white horizontally across the top and “Canada” embroidered in white vertically down the center
What year was the 77th SFG redesignated as the 7th Special Forces?
The 77th Special Forces was redesignated as the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) on 20 May 1960
What is the motto of the 7th SFG (A)?
“Lo Que Sea - Cuando Sea - Donde Sea” which in English means “Anything, Any Time, Any Place”
Who was the only Medal of Honor recipient for 7th SFG (A)?
COL Roger Donlon while he was a CPT with ODA 726 during the Vietnam War
Who was the first member of the SF community to earn the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War?
COL Roger Hughes Charles Donlon was the first member of the US Army Special Forces community to earn the Congressional Medal of Honor in Vietnam
How many combat streamers are on the Group colors?
The Group colors carries 8 combat streamers. 6 from WW2, 1 from Panama, and 1 from Afghanistan
Name 3 operations 7th SFG (A) has been involved in:
Operation Power Pack in Dominican Republic
Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada
Operation Just Cause in Panama
Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan
Operation Secure Tomorrow in Haiti
Operation Iraqi Freedom
What are 4 campaigns 7th SFG (A) has received participation credit from the US Army:
WW2: Aleutian Islands, Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, Southern France (with arrowhead), Rhineland
Armed Forces Expeditionary: Panama, Haiti
War on Terrorism: Afghanistan Consolidation I (1Dec01-30Sep06), Consolidation II (1Oct06-30Nov09), Consolidation III (1Dec09-30Jun11), Transition I (1Jul11-TBD)
Iraq: National Resolution (16Dec05-9Jan07)
What is the Area of Responsibility (AOR) assigned to 7th SFG (A)?
7th SFG (A) primary AOR is USNORTHERN Command USSOUTHERN Command. 7th SFG (A) also supports the missions in Afghanistan
How many countries are in 7th SFG (A)’s AOR?
32 countries. 19 in Central and South America and 13 in the Caribbean
According to the 7th SFG (A), what was their key to success in El Salvador and Honduras during the 1980s?
The ability to professionalize their NCO corps
What was the SON TAY RAID?
The SON TAY RAID was conducted 20-21 Nov 1979 against a N Vietnamese POW camp. It’s purpose was to rescue American POWs. 14 SF Soldiers from 7th SFG (A) participated
During the Vietnam War, how many POWs were rescued during the SON TAY RAID?
None. The mission was still considered a tactical success. Knowing the US SF could reach anywhere in Vietnam at any time forces the N Vietnamese to treat American POWs better at other camps
What is the 7th SFG (A) known as?
The Red Empire
What are the 2 most dubious honors 7th SFG (A) has?
Most decorated Soldiers of the GWOT and lost more Soldiers in GWOT than any other SFG
Describe the current SF shoulder insignia.
Blue arrowhead which alludes to the American Indians’ basic skills in which SF is trained to a high degree. A dagger represents the unconventional nature of SF ops, and 3 lightning flashes representing the ability to strike rapidly by air, water, or land
What is the name of the 7th SFG (A) Language Facility?
The Fronius Language Facility, named for SFC Greg Fronius who was killed in combat in El Salvador in 1987
What is the dedicated name of the Group HQ building?
COL Roger Donlon Building
What are the various “S” offices and what are their functions?
S1: Human Resources
S2: Intelligence and Security
S2X: Counter Intel and HUMINT
S3: Operations, schools, training, and ranges
S35: CBRN, electronic warfare, air, space ops
S4: Logistics and sustainment
S6: Communication and computer systems
When was the 1st SSF disbanded?
1945 in France
When and where was the 1st SSF reactivated as the 77th Special Forces?
25 September 1953 at Ft Bragg
What is the composition of an SF Operational Detachment-Alpha (ODA)?
A typical 12 man ODA is:
1x Detachment Commander 18A
1x Assistant Detachment Commander 180A
1x Operations Sergeant 18Z
1x Assistant Ops and Intel Sergeant 18F
2x Weapons Sergeants 18B
2x Communications Sergeants 18E
2x Medical Sergeants 18D
2x Engineering Sergeants 18C
