The 6th SFG(A) was activated on 1 May 1963.
The 6th 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.
6th Group's designated Area of Responsibility (AOR) was Southwest Asia and the Middle East.
6th SFG(A) Commander: LTC Charles Kasler
A Co 6th SFG(A) CDR: MAJ Homer W Morrison
B Co 6th SFG(A) CDR:
COL Charles L. Kasler
LT Kasler was assigned to the 60th Coastal Field Artillery on Corregidor, in 1941. After nearly 6 months of fighting, Corregidor fell to the Japanese on 6 May 1942, where LT Kasler was captured. After 3 years of brutal treatment, CPT Kasler was liberated in Northern China in Aug 1945. MAJ Kasler served in Austria 1953-1956. LTC Kasler served as Commander 351st Missile BN (Nike) in Ohio.
6th SFG(A) Exercises-1963
In the early 1960s, the US Army went through some major changes. In April 1961, an entirely new concept called ROAD (Reorganization Objective Army Divisions) was introduced, replacing the short-lived Pentomic system that had been integrated in 1957 for the atomic battlefield. The ROAD system offered greater flexibility and improved compatibility with NATO allies. The first ROAD units were organized in February 1962 under draft TOEs, this reorganization was required to be completed across both the Regular Army and reserve components by the end of June 1964. Additionally, on January 18, 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed National Security Action Memorandum (NSAM) 124. This directive mandated that the U.S. military elevate counterinsurgency training, organization, and doctrine to a level equal with conventional warfare.
As the US Army units conducted exercises for newly their reorganized units, the Special Forces Groups at Ft Bragg supported the counter-insurgency component, by providing the guerrilla force and counter-insurgency advisers, for the Active-Duty and Reserve Component unit exercises. In 1962, the 6th SFG(A) supported a number of these exercises.
Exercise SWAMP FOX
6th SFG(A) personnel also played both roles, as required by their mission, during their training with the 2nd Infantry Division. Approximately half those present were engaged in the training and advising of guerrillas, while the other taught and advised the counterinsurgency forces. This was an extensive program, involving three battalions of the division in a three-month training program, with a preparatory period at Fort Benning and three two-week field training exercises in the swamps of Fort Stewart, Georgia with the 2nd Infantry Div.
Exercise BULLDOG LOW NOTE
In the fall of 1963, the 6th SFG(A) was involved in both unconventional warfare and counterinsurgency training with units of the 101st Airborne Division. One A- detachment participated in counterinsurgency training from 9 to 26 October with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Camp Irwin, California. Detachment personnel served as both guerrilla advisers and as counter-insurgency experts in the California desert.
6th SFG(A)-Mobile Training Teams, 1964
The 6th SFG(A) deployed multiple Mobile Training Teams (MTT) to countries in the Middle East and Africa in 1965 .
Iran In early 1961, 6th SFG(A) 3 Mobile Training Teams deployed to Iran, to help the Iranian Army staff to plan and support the joint US-Iran Exercise DELAWAR, planned later in the year .
Ethiopia April 1961, 6th SFG(A) deployed a number of detachments to train Infantry and medical personnel.
Jordan In midsummer a detachment participated in desert training and instructed in the medical, demolitions, and weapons training.
Pakistan 6th SFG(A) deployed a MTT to conduct Airborne and parachute rigger training
6th SFG(A) in Ethiopia
6th SFG(A) Exercises-1964
The 6th SFG(A) took to the field six times during 1964 on field training exercises, either for the Group or in support of other units.
FTX ARABIAN NIGHTS was a 6th SFG(A) Group conducted from January 6 to February 8 in the Camp MacKall and Sandhills Wildlife area“ Although this exercise was designed primarily along counterinsurgency lines, it also served to develop field standing operating procedures and to train Group headquarters personnel in Special Forces Operational Base operations techniques.
Operation DELAWAR Exercise Delawar was a significant military exercise conducted in April 1964 in southwestern Iran, involving joint operations between the United States and Iranian forces to simulate a rapid response to external threats during the Cold War.
Exercise HIGHLAND FOX In July, August, and September, elements of the Group advised and assisted the 2nd Infantry Division at Fort Benning in the planning and conduct of counterinsurgency training, including two battalion—sized exercises held in the Uwharrie National Forest area of North Carolina.
FTX CHEROKEE TRAIL During October, 6th SFG(A) supported the Special Warfare School's with counterinsurgency advisors, guerrilla chiefs, and cadres for 10 guerrilla bands. In addition, the Group was responsible for the establishment and maintenance of the entire communications net for the FTX Director Headquarters and for general support personnel.
Exercise YELLOW DRAGON, an FTX conducted by Company A to provide a "Shakedown" for the forthcoming joint field training exercise POLAR STRIKE, in Alaska.
Exercise BIG OAKIE II Company B, 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. The exercise was conducted December 1- Dec 19, included infiltration of Special Forces detachments by air into guerrilla warfare operational areas, guerrilla warfare operations, exfiltration by small boats, and water pickups in the Gulf of Mexico by float equipped Army U-l0 aircraft and U.S. Air Force amphibious aircraft. This is the first time that organic Special Forces aircraft have been used in a tactical exercise of this type. Participating personnel subsisted largely from long-range patrol rations (currently undergoing tests at the Center for Special Warfare) and by survival techniques.
In addition to its own training and its work with other active Army and Air Force units, the 6th SFG(A) during the summer months sent out detachments to support and assist reserve component Special Forces units in their annual active duty for training. A detachment went to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, for the period July 31 to August 15, to advise and assist the 11th SFG(A) (USAR) in unconventional warfare training. Still another detachment went to Camp Drum, New York, for the period July 31 to August 15, to perform the same mission for the 12th SFG(A) (USAR). During 1964, the 11th SFG(A), 17th SFG(A), and 19th SFG(A) (Reserve components) were designated ”sister groups" of the 6th SFG(A).
6th SFG(A)-Exercises, 1965
Exercise POLAR STRIKE started in late in December 1964, the SFG(A) deployed for their Alaskan cyclic training, and the subsequent exercise “Polar Strike,” which involved training with the Eskimo Scouts along the northern periphery above the artic circle. The entire operation lasted until 22 February 1965. Prior to joining the scouts in remote coastal villages, 6th SFG(A) members trained in cold weather techniques at Fort Richardson, Alaska. Training included skiing, the use of snowshoes, use of dog teams, artic survival, and caring for special artic clothing and equipment. This individual training supplemented pre-deployment training, exercise YELLOW DRAGOON, covering cold weather indoctrination, culture, and living environment of the Eskimo, landnavigation and scouting, and patrolling. Deployed with the Eskimo Scouts, men of the 6th SFG(A) sought to transmit their knowledge to their hosts, receiving Eskimo guidance on cold weather military operations in return. A significant part of the training of the Eskimos was in preventive medicine, personal hygiene, training of the village health workers, preventive dentistry, and veterinary medicine training by the civic action team which accompanied and supported the Special Forces teams. In appreciation for the training in our 50th State, the State Legislature ofAlaska passed a Senate Joint Resolution, which commended personnel of the 6th Special Forces Group of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and urged continuation oftheir training program in remote areas of Alaska
Exercise TRACKDOWN conducted in February 1961, the 5th Mechanized Infantry in the Massachuesetts and New Hampshire area. 6th SFG(A) provides guerrillas and counter-insurgency advisers.
CHEROKEE TRAIL V During March, 6th SFG(A) supported the Special Warfare School's with counterinsurgency advisors, guerrilla chiefs, and cadres for 10 guerrilla bands. In addition, the Group was responsible for the establishment and maintenance of the entire communications net for the FTX Director Headquarters and for general support personnel.
CHEROKEE TRAIL VI During June and July, 6th SFG(A) supported the Special Warfare School's with counterinsurgency advisors, guerrilla chiefs, and cadres.
Exercise FORT BLISS I conducted in Sep with 6 detachments from 6th SFG(A). The detachments jumped into the Organ mountains in New Mexico and the 31st Engineers activing as the guerrilla force.
During the course of the year the Gabriel Demonstration “A” Team provided a number of on—post and off-post demonstrations. In addition to the linguistic and individual skills presented, the units also displayed and explained various types of Special Forces specialized equipment.
During the summer months, the 6th SFG(A) sent out detachments to support and assist reserve component Special Forces units in their annual active duty for training.
6th SFG(A) in Alaska for exercise Polar Strike
Daily Press, Newport New , VA 21 Feb 1965
6th SFG(A) Gabriel Display, Ft Bragg
6th SFG(A)-Mobile Training Teams, 1965
Teams from the 6th SFG(A) supported 13 MTTS in 10 different countries in 1965 .
Iran January, instruct and advise on psychological operations.
Nepal January, instruct Nepalese Army on use and maintenance of communications equipment
Iran February, conduct security survey and intelligence training
Iran April, instruct and advise on SF techniques
Guinea (Africa) April, instruct engineer operations
Pakistan April. instruct parachute operations
Brazil April, engineer operations
Peru May, assist Peruvian Army General Staff on organization, training, and admin
Iran May, assist Iranian Army in Airborne Operations
Venezuela June, operations of signal depot and supply systems
Philippines July, assist in construction and provide training on communications system
Nigeria October, conduct a signal survey
Jordan December, instruct and advise on ranger training.
6th SFG(A) soldier working the GN-58 generator for the GRC-radio,
US Army Photo
Note 6th SFG Flash and crest on issue Jungle Hat
6th SFG(A)-Exercises, 1966
Exercise BIG OAKIE IV in January, Company B, 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. The exercise included infiltration of Special Forces detachments by air into guerrilla warfare operational areas, guerrilla warfare operations.
CHEROKEE TRAIL VIII During March 6th SFG(A) supported the Special Warfare School's exercise with counterinsurgency advisors, guerrilla chiefs, and cadres.
Exercise CLOVE HOTCH I 6th SFG(A) sent two detachments to support. The exercise was conducted in April at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina . The exercise was designed to increase proficiency in joint amphibious and airborne operations and to perfect coordination and communications between participating forces
Exercise SNAKE PIT Conducted May 1961 at Camp AP Hill, VA, 2 detachments acted as aggressors for a counterinsurgency exercise.
In June, 6th SFG(A) deployed to Camp Hale, Colorado to conduct the unit annual Operational readiness test (ORT)
During the course of the year the Gabriel Demonstration “A” Team provided a number of on—post and off-post demonstrations. In addition to the linguistic and individual skills presented, the units also displayed and explained various types of Special Forces specialized equipment.
During the summer months, the 6th SFG(A) sent out detachments to support and assist reserve component Special Forces units in their annual active duty for training.
6th SFG(A) patrolling
6th SFG(A) advising convetional troops
6th SFG(A) Mobile Training Team-Vietnam
"People sniffer" was the field name for a series of U.S. Army issued "personnel detectors" used during the Vietnam War. The purpose was to detect enemy soldiers in hidden positions, which were often employed in the jungle combat conditions of Vietnam. The U.S. military used two different versions of the people sniffer, one backpack version XM-2 and one helicopter-mounted version, the XM-3.
Developed by General Electric, The XM-2 personnel detector manpack, also known as the E63 manpack personnel detector, was the first version of the people sniffer employed by the Army. The XM-2 featured a backpack mounted sensor with an air intake tube on the end of a rifle. The XM-2 was problematic, as it often detected the soldier carrying it rather than the enemy, the device also made a distinct sound the was easily detectable by the enemy and it was overly sensitive.
The XM-3, the helicopter mounted version, proved more effective and resulted in operation SNOOPY.
In June 1966, troops from 6th SFG(A), working with the Limited War Laboratory, Natick labs, deployed to Vietnam to demonstrate and train the units in the theater on the system.
CPT Desmond Flanigan 6th SFG(A), discusses XM-2 system with 2 USMC officers
USMC Photo
XM-2 "People Sniffer"
US Army Photo
6th SFG(A) Section Notes
1 This is phase 1, of a 2-phase plan, that will cover from activation in 1960 to today.
a. Phase 1: Beginning until 65
b. Phase 2: 1965-1972
2. I am looking for the following from the 6th SFG(A):
a. Photos-preferably with story-dates
b. Stories-that need to be told/remembered
c. Documents
i. Orders, recruiting flyers / posters, unit rosters...etc.
d. FA / ODA Detachment numbers and location
i. Ft Bragg