{"title":"11th Special Forces Group","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"0\"\u003eHere is a historical overview of the \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"37\"\u003e11th Special Forces Group (Airborne)\u003c\/b\u003e, a highly decorated and vital Reserve component of the U.S. Army Special Forces during the Cold War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003eIntroduction and Mission\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"2\" id=\"p-rc_d94408869e9331a5-28\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-17 citation-end-17\"\u003eThe 11th Special Forces Group (11th SFG) was a United States Army Reserve (USAR) unit.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"1\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Unlike active-duty groups that maintain continuous overseas deployments during peacetime, the 11th Group was designed as a strategic reserve. Its primary Area of Responsibility (AOR) was aligned with the United States European Command (USEUCOM). \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3\"\u003eIn the event of a major conflict with the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact, the 11th SFG’s mission was to mobilize, deploy to Europe, and augment the active-duty 10th Special Forces Group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4\" id=\"p-rc_d94408869e9331a5-29\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-16\"\u003eLike all Special Forces units, they wore the Green Beret and operated under the motto \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"4\" data-index-in-node=\"86\"\u003e\u003ci data-path-to-node=\"4\" data-index-in-node=\"86\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-16\"\u003eDe Oppresso Liber\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-16 citation-end-16\"\u003e (\"To Free the Oppressed\").\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"2\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003eActivation and Origins (1961)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"7\" id=\"p-rc_d94408869e9331a5-30\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-15 citation-end-15\"\u003eThe 11th SFG was born out of President John F. Kennedy's massive expansion of U.S. unconventional warfare capabilities in the early 1960s.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"3\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"8\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"8,0,0\" id=\"p-rc_d94408869e9331a5-31\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-14\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-14\"\u003eInitial Activation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-14 citation-end-14\"\u003e The unit was officially activated on March 1, 1961, initially headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"4\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"8,1,0\" id=\"p-rc_d94408869e9331a5-32\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eRelocations and Garrison:\u003c\/b\u003e Over its lifespan, the Group's headquarters moved to accommodate its growing footprint. \u003cspan class=\"citation-13\"\u003eIt relocated to Staten Island, New York in 1963; Tappan, New York in 1970; and finally established its long-term home at \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"235\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-13\"\u003eFort Meade, Maryland\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-13 citation-end-13\"\u003e in March 1973.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"5\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"8,2,0\" id=\"p-rc_d94408869e9331a5-33\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eGeographic Spread:\u003c\/b\u003e As a Reserve unit, its battalions and companies were dispersed across the Eastern Seaboard and Midwest to maximize recruiting from civilian population centers. \u003cspan class=\"citation-12 citation-end-12\"\u003eElements were stationed in states including Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, and Florida.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"6\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-path-to-node=\"10\"\u003eThe Cold War Era (1960s–1980s)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"11\"\u003eFor over three decades, the 11th SFG served as a critical deterrent against Soviet aggression in Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"12\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"12,0,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"12,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eStrategic Augmentation:\u003c\/b\u003e The group continuously trained to conduct unconventional warfare, deep reconnaissance, and direct action behind enemy lines in a hypothetical World War III scenario.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"12,1,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"12,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eJoint Exercises:\u003c\/b\u003e Operators from the 11th SFG frequently participated in massive NATO training exercises, such as REFORGER (Return of Forces to Germany), validating their ability to rapidly deploy and integrate with active-duty components and European allies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"12,2,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"12,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eSpecialized Infiltration:\u003c\/b\u003e The unit maintained high proficiency in airborne, military free-fall (HALO\/HAHO), and maritime infiltration techniques, ensuring they could successfully bypass the highly contested front lines of a European theater.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-path-to-node=\"14\"\u003eDeactivation (1994)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"15\"\u003eFollowing the collapse of the Soviet Union and the decisive victory of the Gulf War in 1991, the U.S. military entered a period of downsizing known as the \"peace dividend.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"16\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"16,0,0\" id=\"p-rc_d94408869e9331a5-34\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"16,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eThe Drawdown:\u003c\/b\u003e The strategic requirement for large-scale reserve forces dedicated solely to a European land war was drastically reduced. \u003cspan class=\"citation-11 citation-end-11\"\u003eAs a cost-cutting measure, the U.S. Army decided to restructure its reserve component Special Forces.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"7\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"16,1,0\" id=\"p-rc_d94408869e9331a5-35\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-10\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"16,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-10\"\u003eInactivation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-10\"\u003e On \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"16,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"17\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-10\"\u003eSeptember 15, 1994\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-10 citation-end-10\"\u003e, both the 11th Special Forces Group and its sister USAR unit, the 12th Special Forces Group, were officially inactivated.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"8\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-path-to-node=\"18\"\u003eLegacy\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"19\"\u003eWhile the 11th Special Forces Group's colors were cased in 1994, its legacy and the expertise of its operators did not vanish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"20\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"20,0,0\" id=\"p-rc_d94408869e9331a5-36\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"20,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eTransition to the National Guard:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-9 citation-end-9\"\u003e Following the inactivation, many of the highly trained Green Berets from the 11th SFG transferred into the Army National Guard's 19th and 20th Special Forces Groups.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"9\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"20,1,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"20,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eGlobal War on Terror:\u003c\/b\u003e The seasoned veterans who absorbed into the 19th and 20th Groups provided invaluable leadership and experience. Many of these former 11th Group operators eventually deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and other theaters following the September 11 attacks, ensuring the tactical lineage and expertise of the 11th SFG lived on in modern combat operations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"21\"\u003eToday, the 11th Special Forces Group is remembered as a cornerstone of America's Cold War special operations reserve capability.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"11th-special-forces-group-flash-t-shirt","title":"11th Special Forces Group Flash T-shirt","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eA subtle t-shirt honoring your time in Group without an over-the-top graphic. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStandard Color T-Shirts\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e-------\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"list-style-type: none;\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAthletic fit - runs small\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4.3 oz., 100% combed ring-spun cotton\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSelf 3\/8\" shoulder to shoulder binding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrew neck\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Airborne Apparel Co.","offers":[{"title":"White \/ S","offer_id":49989815959791,"sku":"11SFG-001A-NL207-WT-SM","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"White \/ M","offer_id":49989815992559,"sku":"11SFG-001A-NL207-WT-MD","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"White \/ L","offer_id":49989816025327,"sku":"11SFG-001A-NL207-WT-LG","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"White \/ XL","offer_id":49989816058095,"sku":"11SFG-001A-NL207-WT-XL","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"White \/ 2XL","offer_id":49989816090863,"sku":"11SFG-001A-NL207-WT-2X","price":31.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"White \/ 3XL","offer_id":49989816123631,"sku":"11SFG-001A-NL207-WT-3X","price":31.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ S","offer_id":49989816156399,"sku":"11SFG-001B-NL207-BK-SM","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ M","offer_id":49989816189167,"sku":"11SFG-001B-NL207-BK-MD","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ L","offer_id":49989816221935,"sku":"11SFG-001B-NL207-BK-LG","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ XL","offer_id":49989816254703,"sku":"11SFG-001B-NL207-BK-XL","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ 2XL","offer_id":49989816287471,"sku":"11SFG-001B-NL207-BK-2X","price":31.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ 3XL","offer_id":49989816320239,"sku":"11SFG-001B-NL207-BK-3X","price":31.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0258\/0155\/6047\/files\/11SFG-001A-NL207-WT.webp?v=1782573525"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0258\/0155\/6047\/collections\/11FSG_Flash.svg?v=1782573724","url":"https:\/\/airborneapparelcompany.com\/collections\/11th-special-forces-group.oembed","provider":"Airborne Apparel Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}