3rd SFG(A) | On The Shoulder Of Giants

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3rd SFG(A)

1963-69

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The 3rd SFG(A) was activated on 3 Dec 1963.

The 3rd SFG(A) was organized under TO&E 33-105D, dated 21 Mar 60. This new TO&E brought the Special Forces units in line with the US Army unit organizations and terminology.

3rd SFG(A) designated Area of Responsibility (AOR) was Africa

3rd SFG(A) Commander: Colonel James B. Bartholomees

A Co Commander:

B Co Commander:

C Co Commander:

COL James B Bartholomees

From Blue Springs, MO, West Point Graduate. LT Bartholomes was assigned to the 27th ID in Hawaii. CPT Bartholomees served in the invasion of Saipan and Tinian in the Pacific during WW2. LTC Bartholomes served in the Korean War, with the 2nd Infantry Div. LTC Bartholomees served with the 77th SFG(A). After leaving 3rd SFG(A), he went to Vietnam as an advisor to the ARVN Airborne BDE

3rd SFG(A) Gallery

3rd SFG(A) Commander COL James Bartholomees

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3rd SFG(A) Team marching in President Lyndon B. Johnson Inauguration Parade

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3rd SFG(A) Exercises-1964

3rd SFG(A) troops simultaneously reconditioned the long-unused barracks area assigned them and, unit personnel initiated training immediately. By April, language training was underway for all operational detachments, and it continued throughout the year. In June, an operational training mission to Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina was planned and executed in phases covering infiltration and exfiltration, small unit tactics, rapelling, and MOS cross-training. Also conducted at various times during the year were MOS training for assigned medics, radio men and demolitions personnel; maneuverable parachute training for the entire unit; small boat training and underwater training at Fort Bragg and Key West, Florida for selected individuals; and submarine training off the coast of Virginia.

FTX CHEROKEE TRAIL 3rd SFG(A) supported the Special Warfare School's exercise with counterinsurgency advisors, guerrilla chiefs, and cadres for guerrilla bands.

3rd SFG(A) Team on patrol

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3rd SFG(A) Mobile Training Teams-1964

Company A, 3rd SFG(A) Sent 4 A-teams TDY for 6-months to Ethiopia, during the Ethiopian–Somali Border War, also known as the First Ogaden War. Ethiopian Infantry units were given training in small arms, marksmanship, demolitions and small units tactics.

3rd SFG(A) Teams with US Ambassador

3rd SFG(A)-Life on Fort Bragg, during the Vietnam War

The Special Forces Groups at Ft Bragg, were always busy. The 3rd SFG(A) was no exception.

The Line Companies in the 3rd SFG(A) rotated on a monthly basis between 18th Airborne Corps (Post) support and Unit training. Within the 3rd SFG(A), the companies themselves would rotate on Unit Training and Unit Training support cycle too, this was managed by the Group SGM.

Special Forces Soldiers on Post support could find themselves; mowing lawns, working in a post library (wearing civilian clothes), pulling guard duty, fire watch (maintaining the coal in the coal-burning stoves in the older barracks/buildings) or even KP (Kitchen Patrol)-working in the post mess halls.

Support requests from Special Warfare center; teams could also find themselves supporting the Phase 1 student training exercises conducted by the Special Warfare Center, training one of the USAR and ARNG Special Forces units at Ft Bragg or conducting a Gabriel Display for a visiting dignitary.

Additionally, team could find themselves going on Mobile Training Teams, going to other countries or TDY, training one of the USAR and ARNG Special Forces units in their home states.

Teams also were tasked to support the counterinsurgency training for units deploying to Vietnam and unit annual training requirements.

During the Company training months, Team would conduct training internally or could be tasked to support another Team's training.

The Group HQ would ensure the troops would get at least one parachute jump each quarter (every 3 months) as required by military regulations to draw jump pay. Occasionally troops would make multiple jumps in a day, to cover months past or ahead.

SF soldier maintaining the diesel heaters to the isolation facility tents

SF Soldier, pulling KP-peeling potatoes

3rd SFG(A), Gabriel display

Demo SGT equipment

3rd SFG(A) Exercises-1965

Exercise BIG OAKIE 3rd SFG(A) conducted extensive unconventional warfare training in the swamps of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. This was a joint effort with the Air Commandos of the Tactical Air Command, this exercise was conducted in February and included infiltration of Special Forces detachments by air into operational areas, and guerrilla warfare operations.

Exercise CHEROKEE TRAILS 3rd SFG(A) supported the three of the Special Warfare School's with counterinsurgency advisors, guerrilla chiefs, and cadres for guerrilla bands.

Exercise CORE BANKS 3rd SFG(A) participated in U.S. Navy and Marine Corps joint amphibious training exercise conducted in November 1965 on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

3rd SFG(A) team working with guerrillas

3rd SFG(A) Mobile Training Teams-1965

Company B and C, 3rd SFG(A) sent teams TDY for 6-months to Ethiopia. Ethiopian Infantry units were given training on small arms, marksmanship and small units tactics.

Company A, 3rd SFG(A) a sent team TDY for 4-months to Ethiopia. Ethiopian Infantry units were given training on Air-Ground Operations

Company A, 3rd SFG(A) a sent team TDY for 5-months to Congo, to teach Counter-insurgency operations to the Congolese Army.

Company B, 3rd SFG(A) a sent team TDY for 4-months to Congo, to teach Counter-insurgency and Unconventional Warfare operations to the Congolese Army.

3rd SFG(A) Team arrives in Ethiopia

3rd SFG(A) Operation NICE GUY-NASA Gemini Mission Support-1965

In 1965, 3rd SFG(A) sent UH-lB’s and crews, from their aviation detachment, and A-teams from all three line companies and HHC, to Nigeria and Arabia in support of NASA missions Gemini III, IV, V, VI,and VII.

3rd SFG(A) Team supporting NASA Gemini Mission

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NASA Gemini Mission flight trajectory

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3rd SFG(A) Exercises-1966

Exercise UWHARRIE In Jan 1966, 3rd SFG(A) conducted extensive unconventional warfare training exercise in Uwharrie National Forest.

FTX REDCON READY In May 1966, 3rd SFG(A) team deployed to Camp Drum NY to conduct counter-insurgency training with the 196th Light Inf Brigade, prior to the Brigade's deploy to Vietnam.

Exercise CHEROKEE TRAILS IX and X In June and Oct, the 3rd SFG(A) supported the Special Warfare School's exercises with counterinsurgency advisors, guerrilla chiefs, and cadres for guerrilla bands.

In Feb 1966, 3rd SFG(A) was tasked, along with other TOE units, with conducting a Basic Combat Training Cycle, as the US Army training centers were becoming overloaded with trainees. The training started the end of February and finished in April.

Special Forces Instuctors patrolling

3rd SFG(A) Mobile Training Teams-1966

Teams from the 3rd SFG(A) supported 12 MTTS in 6 different countries in 1965 .

Mali January, Parachute operations and Judo

Repulic of Vietnam January, Classified

Mali January, Engineer operations

Congo January, Medical training

Mali February, Parachute operations

Thailand February, Engineer Operations

Republic of Vietnam March, Classified

Pakistan April, Instruct parachute operations

Congo April, Medical training

Guinea (Africa) September, Engineer Operations

Jordan November, Ranger training.

Troops jumping from C-47

3rd SFG(A) Vietnam TDY-1966

In Mar 1966, a 4-man team from 3rd SFG(A), SGT Mike Bagley, SGT Leroy Dake, and SGT Guy Giuffre and a civilian tech brought an experimental AN/PPS-5 portable battlefield surveillance radar unit, to Camp Cai Cai. Two other teams took systems to Dak Pek and Duc Co, both in II Corps. The teams were attached to each camp to help operate the radar unit under combat conditions. The AN/PPS-5 systems were able to detect and locate individuals up to almost 3 miles, and groups of people or small vehicles up 6 miles. The system was able to locate several squad-sized probes on camp perimeters in total darkness. The tests proved so successful that MACV later ordered 80 of the units, to be issued to 5th SFG(A) camps.

3rd SFG(A) Ground Surveillance Radar team in Vietnam, Cai Cai 1966

From SSG Richard "Slurp" James Collection

3rd SFG(A) Operation NICE GUY-NASA Gemini Mission Support-1966

In 1966, 3rd SFG(A) deployed UH-lB’s and crews, from their aviation detachment, and A-detachments to Aden Nigeria, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Libya Wheelus Air Base in support of NASA’s worldwide coverage of Gemini VIII, IV, V, VI, VII missions

3rd SFG(A) Team supporting NASA Gemini Mission

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NASA Gemini Missions sign

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3rd SFG(A) Exercises-1967

In 1967 3rd SFG(A) supported and conducted a number of exercises.

Exercise WESTWARD HO 3rd SFG(A) deployed to Utah and Montana to conduct winter warfare training and mountaineering, 26 February to 24 April 1967. The 19th SFG(A) conducted their annual training during the exercise.

Exercise EASTWARD HO 3rd SFG(A) conducted an exercise on the North Carolina coast, 2 Mar-13 April.

Exercise COLD MOUNTAIN I C Company 3rd SFG(A) conducted an exercise in the Pisgah National Forest 28 Mar to 14 April.

Exercise LABOR TRAIL I 3rd SFG(A) Group level FTX in Uhwarrie National Forest from 25 Sep to 28 Oct 1967

Exercise CHEROKEE TRAIL XII and XIV 3rd SFG(A) supported two of the Special Warfare Center's exercises for Special Forces students.

COL Jesse Ugalde

From Greeley, CO LT Uglade fought with the 3rd ID in Africa, Sicily and Italy. 1943, while fighting in Sicily, LT Ugalde was personally given an on-the-spot promotion to Captain from General Patton. LTC Uglade was assigned to 77th SFG(A) in 1955 and later served as an Adviser to 25th Div ARVN Army. COL Uglade was 3rd SFG(A) Commander in 1967.

Salt Lake Tribune 27 Feb 1967

3rd SFG(A) Mobile Training Teams-1967

In 1967, 3rd SFG(A) deployed 6 Mobile Training teams to 4 different countries.

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3rd SFG(A) Exercises-1968

The 3rd SFG(A) conduted and supported a number of exercises in 1968.

Exercise COLD MOUNTAIN II: The 3rd SFG(A) detachments infiltrated by parachute and established guerrilla bases from which they organized and trained guerrillas in Pisgah National Forest.

Exercise LABOR TRAIL II: In May, the 3rd SFG(A) detachments conducted a exercise in White Mountains in New Hampshire.

The 3rd SFG conducted Operational Readiness Tests-ORTs for their detachments in May.

Exercise GOBBLER WOODS I, II, III and IV the 3rd SFG(A) supported the Special Warfare Centers student exercises in 1968.

Reserve Component Support

In September, 3rd SFG(A) participated in a weekend USAR Special Forces Training mission Termed "Louisiana Fly Away" near St. Francisville, Louisiana for Three days starting 20 September. Training was provided for D Company, 20th SFG(A) (ARNG) Louisiana . AT Camp Shelby, bi-weekend Training was provided for members of B Company, 20th Special Forces Group (Abn), in unconventional warfare subjects. In July, the 3rd SFG(A) supported the 19th SFG(A) in Camp William, Utah. In September 3rd SFG(A) participated in an MTT at Baton Rouge, LA. In Oct, the 3rd SFG(A) conducted a MTT in Aurora, Colorado with 19th SFG(A). 3rd SFG(A) supported Company F, 19th SFG(A) (ARNG) in Hunyington, WV in FTX GARDEN PLOT.

3rd SFG(A) Exercises-1969

Exercise GOBI SAGE I and II A Command Post Exercise-CPX conducted by 3rd SFG(A) in February and April 1968.

Exercise BOLDSHOT/BRIMFIRE A STRICOM exercise conducted with the 82nd ABN at Ft Carson, CO

Exercise LABOR TRAIL III 3rd SFG(A) conducted Guerrilla Warfare exercise in Ocala National Forest, FL from July to August

Exercise CABOT SOUND 3rd SFG(A) conducted an exercise with troops in Key West, FL and western NC with Command and Control at Ft Bragg.

FTX CABIN LIGHT II 3rd SFG(A) supported a exercise in Puerto Rico

Reserve Component Support

3rd SFG(A) supported training conducted by the 19th SFG(A) (ARNG) on 14-15 June, at Fort Bragg. During the period 2-19 July a 3rd SFG(A) detachment A traveled Camp Dawson, West Virginia to provide assistance in class preparation, training in and development of SF field techniques. As a secondary mission, they acted as aggressors against the 19th SFG(A), ARNG, during their field training exercise. The detachment culminated the operation by conducting an airborne operation on return to Fort Bragg. The period 2-l9 July, 3rd SFG(A) provided support for the 19th SFG(A) ARNG at Fort Harrison, Montana. 3rd SFG(A) deployed to advise and evaluate Nauonal Guard Special Forces men during their annual active duty' training. Training included MOS training, Special Forces techniques, and training of Company C, 19th SFG(A), ARNG and participation in FTX BIG PUSH, a 35-day exercise. During the period 5-19 July, 3rd SFG(A) deployed to Camp Williams, Utah, to advise, evaluate, and assist‘the 19th SFG(A), ARNG in basic Special Forces subjects, MOS training, (0&I, Weapons, Medical, Commo and Engineer tactics.)