3rd Special Forces Group

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      The 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, is one of the U.S. Army’s premier Special Forces units. From counterinsurgency missions in Africa to spearheading operations in Afghanistan after 9/11, 3rd SFG has earned a reputation for excellence under its motto “De Oppresso Liber”—“To Free the Oppressed.” Airborne Apparel Company is proud to offer reproductions and unique designs that celebrate the legacy of the 3rd Special Forces Group.

      The 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) was originally activated in 1963 at Fort Bragg. Its early mission focused heavily on Africa and the Caribbean, preparing for counterinsurgency and unconventional warfare operations during the Cold War. It supported missions in the Dominican Republic and across Africa before being inactivated in 1969.

      Reactivation & Expansion

      The unit was reactivated in 1990, just before the Gulf War, and immediately became central to U.S. Army Special Forces operations. Its Soldiers deployed across Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean, reinforcing U.S. partnerships and conducting counterterrorism, foreign internal defense, and unconventional warfare missions.

      Global War on Terror

      The 3rd SFG (A) became one of the most heavily deployed units in the Army following the September 11, 2001 attacks.

      • Afghanistan: The group spearheaded Operation Enduring Freedom, partnering with the Northern Alliance to topple the Taliban in late 2001. In the years that followed, 3rd Group teams conducted village stability operations, counterterrorism raids, and partnered with Afghan commandos across the country.

      • Iraq: Elements supported counterinsurgency operations, direct-action raids, and training of Iraqi forces.

      • Africa Command (AFRICOM): 3rd Group maintained its long-standing focus on Africa, conducting missions in places like Mali, Niger, and Somalia to combat extremist organizations and strengthen allied forces.

      Key Figures & Distinctions

      • Medal of Honor Recipients: Several Green Berets from 3rd SFG have been awarded the Medal of Honor in the Global War on Terror, including SFC Ronald J. Shurer II (Afghanistan, 2008) and SSG Matthew O. Williams (Afghanistan, 2008).

      • Unique Distinction: The 3rd Group is known as the primary Special Forces group for U.S. Africa Command while also being one of the most deployed groups in Afghanistan.

      • Motto: “De Oppresso Liber” — “To Free the Oppressed.”

      • Symbolism: The unit’s flash features three diagonal stripes representing its numerical designation.

      Identity & Legacy

      • Branch/Role: U.S. Army Special Forces – Airborne

      • Headquarters: Fort Bragg, North Carolina

      • Nickname: Commonly referred to simply as “3rd Group.”

      • Decorations: Numerous Presidential Unit Citations, Valorous Unit Awards, and campaign streamers from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Africa operations.

      Enduring Significance

      The 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) remains a critical element of U.S. global security. Its Soldiers have carried out some of the most difficult missions of the past 30 years, from the mountains of Afghanistan to the deserts of Africa, always embodying the Green Beret ethos and their mission to “Free the Oppressed.”

      Airborne Apparel Company is proud to offer reproductions and unique designs that celebrate the legacy of the 3rd Special Forces Group.

      Unit descriptions and histories have been compiled from multiple sources including websites, US Army historical documents, organizational histories, association files, recorded interviews, and oral histories. Sources are cited and linked when practical. We do our best to ensure the information we share is as accurate as possible. If there is an error, please let us know via the contact form and we will do our best to correct it.

      Any appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.