{"title":"6th Special Forces Group","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003eThe 6th Special Forces Group (6th SFG) was an active-duty unit of the United States Army Special Forces that operated briefly but consequentially during the Cold War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3\"\u003eWhile other groups were focused on Europe, Latin America, or Southeast Asia, the 6th Group's designated Area of Responsibility (AOR) was \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"3\" data-index-in-node=\"137\"\u003eSouthwest Asia and the Middle East\u003c\/b\u003e. To prepare for the rugged terrain of this specific theater, the unit specialized heavily in high-altitude mountain warfare and advanced cold-weather survival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003eLike all U.S. Army Special Forces, its operators wore the Green Beret and operated under the motto \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"4\" data-index-in-node=\"99\"\u003e\u003ci data-path-to-node=\"4\" data-index-in-node=\"99\"\u003eDe Oppresso Liber\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e (\"To Free the Oppressed\").\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003eActivation and Origins\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"7\"\u003eThe 6th SFG was created during the rapid expansion of unconventional warfare capabilities initiated by President John F. Kennedy in the early 1960s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"8\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"8,0,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eActivation (1963):\u003c\/b\u003e The group was officially activated on \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"57\"\u003eMay 1, 1963\u003c\/b\u003e, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Charles L. Kasler.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"8,1,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eUnit Composition:\u003c\/b\u003e To quickly stand up a combat-ready group, the Army pulled experienced Green Berets from three existing units: the 5th Special Forces Group, the 7th Special Forces Group, and the Special Forces Training Group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"8,2,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eThe Beret Flash:\u003c\/b\u003e The 6th SFG honored the seasoned cadre who formed its foundation by incorporating the colors of those parent units into its beret flash: black (for the 5th), red (for the 7th), and white (for the Training Group).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-path-to-node=\"10\"\u003eOperations and Deployments (1963–1971)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"11\"\u003eThroughout the 1960s, the 6th SFG acted as a highly specialized asset for foreign internal defense and unconventional warfare globally.\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\"\u003eMobile Training Teams (MTTs):\u003c\/b\u003e The unit routinely deployed small, specialized Mobile Training Teams to the Middle East, Europe, and Asia to train and advise allied military forces.\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\"\u003eCross-Theater Support:\u003c\/b\u003e Despite its primary Middle Eastern AOR, elements of the 6th SFG were frequently cross-deployed to support operations in the Western Hemisphere, conducting missions in the Dominican Republic and South America.\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\"\u003eThe Son Tay Raid (1970):\u003c\/b\u003e The most famous chapter in the 6th SFG's history occurred in November 1970. When the Pentagon authorized a daring nighttime helicopter raid to rescue American Prisoners of War from the Son Tay prison camp deep inside North Vietnam, they needed elite volunteers. A significant portion of the Green Berets who volunteered for and executed this legendary mission (Operation Ivory Coast) were drawn directly from the 6th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-path-to-node=\"14\"\u003eDeactivation and Legacy\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"15\"\u003eThe 6th Special Forces Group was one of the early casualties of the U.S. military drawdown as the Vietnam War began to de-escalate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"16\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"16,0,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"16,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eInactivation (1971):\u003c\/b\u003e Facing significant budget cuts and a shift in strategic priorities, the Army reduced its active-duty special operations footprint. The 6th Special Forces Group was officially inactivated in \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"16,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"211\"\u003e1971\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"16,1,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"16,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eLegacy:\u003c\/b\u003e Although active for less than a decade, the 6th Group holds a highly respected place in Special Forces history. The heroism and tactical execution of its operators during the Son Tay Raid proved the viability of complex, joint-force special operations, fundamentally shaping modern U.S. special operations doctrine. Furthermore, the groundwork the 6th SFG laid in the Middle East during the 1960s paved the way for the 5th Special Forces Group, which eventually absorbed the CENTCOM\/Middle East AOR.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"6th-special-forces-group-flash-t-shirt","title":"6th 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":49989816844527,"sku":"6SFG-001A-NL207-WT-SM","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"White \/ M","offer_id":49989816877295,"sku":"6SFG-001A-NL207-WT-MD","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"White \/ L","offer_id":49989816910063,"sku":"6SFG-001A-NL207-WT-LG","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"White \/ XL","offer_id":49989816942831,"sku":"6SFG-001A-NL207-WT-XL","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"White \/ 2XL","offer_id":49989816975599,"sku":"6SFG-001A-NL207-WT-2X","price":31.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"White \/ 3XL","offer_id":49989817008367,"sku":"6SFG-001A-NL207-WT-3X","price":31.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ S","offer_id":49989817041135,"sku":"6SFG-001B-NL207-BK-SM","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ M","offer_id":49989817073903,"sku":"6SFG-001B-NL207-BK-MD","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ L","offer_id":49989817106671,"sku":"6SFG-001B-NL207-BK-LG","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ XL","offer_id":49989817139439,"sku":"6SFG-001B-NL207-BK-XL","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ 2XL","offer_id":49989817172207,"sku":"6SFG-001B-NL207-BK-2X","price":31.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ 3XL","offer_id":49989817204975,"sku":"6SFG-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\/6SFG-001A-NL207-WT.webp?v=1782573525"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0258\/0155\/6047\/collections\/12SFG-001B_a845b122-77e3-4293-8d85-352c357f18ba.png?v=1782574047","url":"https:\/\/airborneapparelcompany.com\/collections\/6th-special-forces-group.oembed","provider":"Airborne Apparel Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}