View Full Version : 8th Group
NousDefionsDoc
02-17-2004, 13:56
1963-72, personnel were transferred to 3/7.
It couldn't have been a very big outfit. Wonder what the story was?
Just constant reorg because of Vietnam?
What was 7th Group doing?
The 8th SFGA was what I would call a normal sized group. While I was there (70-71) it consisted of three C-Teams (Co. A,Band C), HHC and Signal Company plus some SIGINT, MI, PsyOps and CA augmentation. Keep in mind that the Companies were what are now considered Batallions.
We supported the OAS as "observers" in Honduras and El Salvador, conducted the Jungle Operations Training Center (JOTC) as well as many MTTs to various countries in Central and South America. Personnel from the 8th also had an active role in the capture of Che Guevarra. As with the 7th SFGA now, the 8th was very active in Latin America doing many things which may never become public.
As Vietnam began to wind down, SF started downsizing. The 7th SFGA assumed the operations of the 8th. During the war IMHO the 7th was mostly a holding company for SF returning from RVN and waiting redeployment.
NousDefionsDoc
03-17-2004, 11:01
Thanks for the G2!
RT AXE 10
12-06-2007, 11:07
The 8th SF Group colors transfered to the 2nd Ranger Bat. Ft Lewis WA.
GaretTrooper
01-06-2008, 10:22
I was in the 8th SFGA(SAF) from Apr 69-May 71. Is anyone else out there from that time frame?
I was in co A - A-1 SCUBA and lived a Coco Solo in the abanndoned seplane hanfer we took over.
GaretTrooper
02-10-2008, 22:37
I remember the hanger. The HALO team had one side and the SCUBA team had the other. Who was the A Company commander when you were there? LtC Korcheck was my commander while I was stationed with the 8th
SFpanama
04-03-2008, 15:38
1963-72, personnel were transferred to 3/7.
It couldn't have been a very big outfit. Wonder what the story was?
Just constant reorg because of Vietnam?
What was 7th Group doing?
I too was with the 8th SFG. For historical accuracy, I'd like to add to my friend Terry's response. The The 8th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, Special Action Force, had only 2 line companies. Those were Special Forces Company's A & B. Also included within the 8th SFG were Headquarters Company, Company E (Signal), 9th Psychological Operations Battalion, 401st Security Agency Detachment, 146th Engineer Detachment, 610th Military Intelligence Detachment, 255th Medical Detachment, and 550th Military Police Detachment. Of course, there was Group Headquarters as well. The 8th was the US Army's only full Special Action Force.
One of the reasons for the deactivation of the 8th SFG in 1972 was the draw down during the waning years of the Vietnam build up. The other reason was, SF was going to Battalion. rather than Company strength. It made sense that the 8th became the 3rd Battalion of the 7th SFG, because it was an element of the 7th that began the set up of the 8th SFG in August of 1962. Commanded by Major Melvin J. Sowards, Company D, 7th SFG was the main body of SF to move to the Canal Zone. They would later be followed by the augmentation detachments. With the arrival of these detachments, the basic organization of the Special Action Force was completed and having been promoted, Lieutenant Colonel Sawyer assumed command.
Lt. Col. Sawyer remained in command through the rest of 1962. It was the legendary Lieutenant Colonel Arthur D. (Bull) Simons that took command in January of 1963 and Lt. Col. Sawyer became the XO. On April 12, 1963, under the command of Lt. Col. Simons, the SAF elements of the 7th SFG were officially redesignated, as authorized by the Department of the Army and the 8th SFG was activated.
Throughout it's 9 year history, the 8th SFG sent Mobile Training Teams and Technical Assistant Teams throughout Central and South America. The 8th SFG also ran a number of schools. These included a basic Airborne and Jumpmaster course, Recondo School, NCO School, SCUBA and PARA-SCUBA Schools. They also conducted Jungle Expert Traning at the Jungle operations Training Center and had a serious hand at The School of the Americas.
I remember the hanger. The HALO team had one side and the SCUBA team had the other. Who was the A Company commander when you were there? LtC Korcheck was my commander while I was stationed with the 8th
LTC Korcek was my Co Cdr. Do you remember Sarge - my swim buddy" I believe he belonged to Avm. Det at one time.
http://tadahling.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/re-enlist.jpg
http://tadahling.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/sarge.jpg
SFpanama
04-03-2008, 17:03
LTC Korcek was my Co Cdr. Do you remember Sarge - my swim buddy" I believe he belonged to Avm. Det at one time.
http://tadahling.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/re-enlist.jpg
http://tadahling.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/sarge.jpg
Yeah Terry I remember the dog. I remember LTC Korcec as well. When I was with Co. B, LTC James Farrington was my Co Cdr. When Col. Dexter Left the 8th, LTC Korcek took temporary command of the Group before Col. Pinkerton came in. When I was reassigned to Co. A, LTC Thomas Owen was the Co Cdr. Good to see you here buddy. Though I didn't know you well, I knew you. I was good pals with the likes of Glenn Oehms, Tony Gilgen, Ken Kimer, etc. I know you know these names.
RT AXE 10
10-17-2008, 11:32
Salute
I arrived at 8th in August 69 same day as the "ROCK", Ltc K. assigned to A Co. B-2..Then out to Recondo committee at Camp Rock. Stayed till 1973, after conversion of the 8th to 3/7th.
Remember the mosquito bitten horse at the lake? lol....
Axe
kevinlcpc
03-07-2009, 23:45
I was with the 8th SFG from May 1971 thru Decemeber 1972, 550th MP Det. Any others there then? LTC Lucas was the CO.
The Reaper
03-08-2009, 09:04
I was with the 8th SFG from May 1971 thru Decemeber 1972, 550th MP Det. Any others there then? LTC Lucas was the CO.
Kevin:
You might want to reread the rules and stickies.
This is not where your first post should be.
TR
USASOC has revamped and reinstituted the periodical VERITAS. It is now a quarterly publication dedicated to "The History of U.S. Army Special Operations".
This issue is a Special Edition, dedicated to SF in Bolivia. Quite a few pages are directly linked to the 8th SFG(A).
Some copies may still be available through:
USASOC
ATTN: AOHS VERITAS
E-2929
DESERT STORM DR
FORT BRAGG, NC 28310
Or you might be able to obtain a copy from a local SFA Chapter.
You can also pm me for email adresses to VERITAS.
kevinlcpc
03-14-2009, 16:04
Sorry if I missed something. But reading the prior posts, I thought this was a thread that was discussing the 8th SFG. I guess I was wrong.
Sorry if I missed something. But reading the prior posts, I thought this was a thread that
OMG!! It would have been so simple to follow instructions on where to place your first post.
FFI can be a capital offense!!!:munchin
ZonieDiver
10-09-2009, 00:25
Can anyone name the owner's of the following cars - all Co A, 8th SFGA, ala June '71:
ZonieDiver
10-09-2009, 00:43
Gatun DZ during rainy season, and Co A views:
ZonieDiver
10-09-2009, 01:03
Pic #1 = Ft. San Lorenzo - where the Chagres River meets Limon Bay, supposedly "shark-infested" waters!
#2 = LCM disgorging JOTC students at Expedient Obstacle Crossing site
#3 = LCM after students landed
ZonieDiver
10-09-2009, 01:08
Pic #1 = Far side of Chagres, where students began the "Slide For Life"!
#2 = Student hitting the "end" of the SFL - lucky it didn't hit the huge tree!
#3 = "Knot Man" - Sgt Gates - telling dazed student how to "dismount" with 193rd Inf Bde support troops looking on:D
ZonieDiver
10-09-2009, 01:12
Pic #1 = Students making poncho rafts after "surviving" the Slide For Life!
#2 = Students swimming across the Chagres with their poncho raft
#3 = Assault boat with students who were picked up after drifting downstream!
ZonieDiver
10-09-2009, 01:23
Pic #1 = Venado DZ, Pacific side - rainy season, looking inland from mid-DZ
#2 = Venado DZ, Pacific side - dry season, looking toward the ocean from hills inland
#3 = My last day in 8th SFGA before going to "leg infantry" Bn. So was everyone in this pic - to one 193rd Inf Bde unit or another: Sgt Bean with tennis racquet, Sgt Sellhorst in baseball cap, Sgt Pennel next to Sellhorst, Sgt Gates - looking at rear of motorcycle. (Sgt Doran taking picture!) Picture taken in front of B Co.
ZonieDiver
10-09-2009, 01:30
Three pics taken at night with open exposure of a Nikonos II camera while Sgt of the Guard for 3/5 Inf during alert - guarding Thatcher Ferry Bridge (now JFK Bridge, I understand).
ZonieDiver
10-09-2009, 01:35
Okay... one more group. Although NOT taken in 8th SFGA, it was in Panama. Shortly after I was transferred to CSC, 3/5 Inf - we loaded onto LCM's, LST's, etc and played "marine raider" - going out to sea and coming ashore near Rio Hato - to play with the PDF's "Cholo's Rojos" in wargames. I tried to be artistic with my Nikonos II and get some silhouette shots. Too dark.
twistedsquid
01-13-2011, 17:50
hey all...sorry about the repost but i had this on the wrong thread...im trying to identify the soldier on the left...my dad is on the right...i believe this was taken sometime between 1963-66 in panama...he was in A Co. B3...bill schreiber...i am compiling his sf experience for the family and would appreciate any memories the members may have of him...he is a retired ltc. living north of tampa...
Mata_Leao
02-26-2011, 11:55
SF Soldiers,
I am looking for confirmation on an individual who claims to have been in the 8th Special Forces Group during the late '60s. Any help or direction would be much appreciated!
I was assigned to B company 8th Group and my detachment was stationed at Fort Sherman.
I helped support Jungle expert training when classes were held, Lot's of guard duty, had a cool earthquake one night.
A few night jumps into the bush for some LRRP shit.
Panama was a great experience.
Jerry
There's an LCM in this photo from 1970.