| 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:3sfg.svg) 3rd Special Forces Group beret flash | |
| Active | 5 Dec 1963 – 1 Dec 1969 1 Jul 1990 – present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Type | Special operations forces |
| Role | Primary tasks:
|
| Size | 4 battalions |
| Part of | &sq=&lang=&file=File:SpecialForces_Badge.svg){kind=icon} 1st Special Forces Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Liberty, North Carolina |
| Motto(s) | "De Oppresso Liber" |
| Engagements | Vietnam War |
| Insignia | |
| Former 3rd SFG(A) recognition bar, worn by non-special operations qualified soldiers—in lieu of a beret flash—from the 1960s to 1984[1] | &sq=&lang=&file=File:US_Army_3rd_SFG_Recognition_Bar.svg) |
| 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) shoulder sleeve insignia, worn by all 1st SFC(A) units | &sq=&lang=&file=File:United_States_Army_Special_Forces_SSI_(1958-2015).png) |
| U.S. Special Forces Groups | ||||
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The 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) – abbreviated 3rd SFG(A) and often simply called 3rd Group – is an active duty United States Army Special Forces (SF) group which was active in the Vietnam Era (1963–69), deactivated, and then reactivated in 1990. 3rd Group is designed to deploy and execute nine doctrinal missions: unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, direct action, counter-insurgency, special reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, information operations, counterproliferation of weapon of mass destruction, and security force assistance.[2] The 3rd SFG(A) was primarily responsible for operations within the AFRICOM area of responsibility, as part of the Special Operations Command, Africa (SOCAFRICA). Its primary area of operations (AO) is now Africa as part of a 2015 SOCOM directive[3] but 3rd Group has also been involved in the Caribbean and the Greater Middle East. The 3rd SFG(A) has seen extensive action in the War on Terror and its members have distinguished themselves on the battlefield in Afghanistan.
- ^ Rottman, Gordon L. (2012). US Army Special Forces, 1952-84. London: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1782004462. OCLC 813846700. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
- ^ "ARSOF Fact Book 2018". United States Army Special Operations Command. 2018. Archived from the original on 18 March 2021.
- ^ Naylor, Sean D. (27 August 2009). "SOCom directive announces major changes". Army Times. Archived from the original on 1 July 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2014.