MACV-SOG

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Uniform emblem (unofficial) of the MACV-SOG. It shows the skull with the green beret and the wings for airborne and air support operations as well as the anchor for maritime operational capability.

The Military Assistance Command, Vietnam - Studies and Observation Group ( MACV-SOG ) was a special task force for unconventional warfare . It was used in top secret operations throughout Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War , subordinated to the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam and existed from 1964 to May 1, 1972.

Organization and mandate

The unit consisted of components from the US Army Special Forces (Green Berets), US Air Force Combat Controllers and US Navy SEALs .

The personnel was selected by the Special Operations Augmentation (SOA) and transferred to the MACV-SOG . Main job was to carry out a secret training, combat patrol - (direct action) and reconnaissance missions. It is estimated that there were approximately 73 MACV-SOG recon teams behind enemy lines.

The first HALO skydiving missions under combat conditions were carried out by the MACV-SOG .

Because of the length of their missions, which often took them beyond the borders of South Vietnam to Laos , North Vietnam or Cambodia , their missions were often called Shining Brass or Prairie Dog . MACV-SOG went down in military history as one of the most effective units.

The highest military award in the USA, the Medal of Honor , was awarded ten times within the MACV-SOG .

structure

The MACV-SOG consisted of three main groups according to territorial division and a special group:

Command and Control North (CCN)

Deployed in Da Nang from November 1967 to March 1971.

“Command and Control North” (CCN) was founded by MACV-SOG in 1967 as an extension of the “Da Nang Forward Observations Base” (FOB). CCN was the largest of the three MACV SOG field commands and was led by a Lieutenant Colonel . Their main task was to carry out secret missions across the border into Laos and North Vietnam.

The first missions were carried out in February 1964. At the time, US-led natives of the Nung tribe were used as a reaction unit to carry out major combat operations. CCN often worked with the CIA- trained locals of the Gen tribe. In 1971 the missions in Laos were codenamed Phu Dung.

Command and Control Central (CCC)

Used in Kontum from November 1967 to March 1971.

The "Command and Control Central" (CCC) was also founded in 1967 - as an extension of the "Kontum Forward Observation Base". CCC had the same scope for secret operations. Due to its flexible structure, it was universally applicable.

The CCC's reconnaissance teams usually consisted of three soldiers from the US Army Special Forces and nine locals. These were particularly respected for their knowledge of the jungle and their hardness. Mostly they were used for reconnaissance missions or for briefing air strikes. The so-called Hatchet Forces were stronger troops, consisting of five soldiers and 30 locals, and were able to carry out larger missions.

Command and Control South (CCS)

Deployed in Ban Me Thuot from November 1967 to March 1971.

Command and Control South (CCS) was established when permission was given to operate beyond the borders of Cambodia. It was commanded first by a major and later by a lieutenant colonel. Most of the time, CCS were also used in secret operations behind the borders.

Project DELTA

Project DELTA was a small unit within the MACV-SOG, reporting directly to its commander and responsible for the entire area of ​​operations. It was used for the most important and dangerous jobs and therefore had a loss rate of over 60%.

The area of ​​responsibility included u. a. Clarification of strategic goals for bombings, arrest and interrogation of personnel of the opposing Viet Cong and NVA and attacks against them, disruption of communication in the enemy area and rescue missions.

DELTA's operations ceased on June 30, 1970.

The future Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , General Henry H. Shelton , served as a young captain in the force.

literature

  • John L. Plaster: SOG: A Photo History of the Secret Wars. Paladin Press, Boulder, Colorado 2000 ISBN 1-58160-058-5 .
  • John L. Plaster: SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam. Simon & Schuster, New York, NY 1997 ISBN 0-684-81105-7 .

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Organization chart of Project DELTA at history.army.mil (accessed June 17, 2008)