The Originals Panel

LTC(ret) Mitch Utterback will lead a panel discussion with our Original members of Special Forces who joined in 1952-53.  They will tell us about how they were recruited, how they trained and how they formed our very first SF elements that eventually became ODAs.  Come hear their stories in what promises to be a fascinating, lively gathering of Regiment’s oldest members.

Detachment (A) Berlin

In late December 1984 Detachment (A) Berlin, aka Det-A, cased its final colors and closed the doors ending its era of clandestine Cold War activities in Berlin with its deactivation. Former Det-A veteran MSG(ret) Bob Charest will review the various phases of a one-of-a-kind elite unit with a truly classified mission. Bob will tell us about the Berlin based SF personnel and lead us to understand Det-A’s 1956 through the late 1970s Unconventional Warfare mission, as well as when the additional mission of counterterrorism was assigned. Det-A remained under the Unconventional Warfare mission, along with the addition of its Counterterrorism mission and inclusion in the EAGLE CLAW rescue mission of our captured Embassy employees in Tehran, Iran. After Det-A closed its doors, PSSE was established in late 1984 and continued with a new classified mission under Berlin Command until it was phased out in 1990. This will be a virtual seminar.

The Original Mike Force

In 1965, then CPT Stringham commanded ODA-301 at its CIDG camp near Ben Cat in South Vietnam.  His ODA got the task to activate III Corps’ Mobile Strike Force battalion, known as “The Mike Force” comprised mostly of Chinese Nungs.  BG Stringham will tell us about the Mike Force origin, its unique guerilla makeup, and its initial employments in what would evolve into a relevant combat design for the counter-insurgency fight.

El Salvador

In the 1980s, Special Forces engaged in a low-visibility extension to the Cold War being played out in Central America’s Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador.  Then COL Stringham commanded US MILGROUP El Salvador with a small 55-man SF contribution, conducting combat through strategic operations in a sensitive time when a small band of Green Berets were quietly executing America’s fight against communism in close proximity to our southern border.

Task Force DAGGER / N. Afghanistan

COL(ret) Mark Rosengard was the J-3 for Task Force DAGGER, the organization that conducted Unconventional Warfare operation in Afghanistan immediately following 9/11 that reduced the sanctuary then provided to Al Qaeda by the Afghan Taliban.  Mark will tell us about our nation’s combined and integrated operations alongside the Northern Alliance from infiltration of the initial SFODA’s from 5^th SFG, re-establishment of the Embassy in Kabul, and through TF Dagger’s role in Operation Anaconda.

Task Force VIKING / N. Iraq

In 2003 LTC(ret) Mark Grdovic was the S-3 for 3/10 SFG(A) and one of the main architects of Task Force VIKING’s plan for unconventional warfare (UW) in N. Iraq as part of operation IRAQI FREEDOM.  This task force commanded three SOTFs and a squadron of British SBS, two of which conducted UW with the Kurdish Peshmerga.  Mark will tell us about the planning prior to the invasion, the role of the Pilot Teams and the initial Advance Force teams, the infiltration of the main body and the operations that resulted in the capture of Kirkuk and Mosul.

Shok Valley

On 6 April 2008, ODA-3336 and their Afghan commandos entered the Shok Valley in Afghanistan’s Nuristan province to capture Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the leader of the Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin (HIG).  The HIG ambushed the lead assault element in steep mountainous terrain shortly after insertion, and ferocious combat ensued at 10,000 feet for seven hours.  This battle resulted in two Medals of Honor, one Air Force Cross and eight Silver Stars.  Come here MoH recipient SGM Matt Williams tell us about his valiant team members and the bravery of their coalition partners.

FOB GHAZNI

On August 28, 2013, the Taliban launched a ferocious attack on Forward Operating Base (FOB) GHAZNI in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province.  Members of ODB-1430 were at the FOB when the Taliban suicide bombers, disguised as Afghan soldiers, blew a 60’ hole in the perimeter.  The Green Berets’ actions decisively repelled the enemy’s attack.  MoH recipient Earl Plumlee will tell of his team’s valor that day alongside Polish and Afghan Soldiers.