The 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) was formed on June 24, 1957, and is 62 years old* this week. The 1st SFG (A) is the SF group tasked with an area of operations within the Asia-Pacific theater, although many of the group’s teams have served in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

The United States Army Special Operations Command lists the lineage back to the First Special Service Force. The combined Canadian-American unit, known as the “Devil’s Brigade,” was known for its daring and successful raids in the Mediterranean theater of operation.

Detachment 101 of the Office of Strategic Services is also considered a key predecessor of the 1st SFG (A). This unit raised and led a guerrilla force known as the “Kachin Rangers,” which disrupted the enemy behind Japanese lines in Southeast Asia during World War II.

When the 1st SFG (A) was formed initially on June 24, 1957, it was stationed at Camp Buckner, Okinawa. Lt. Col. Albert Scott Madding was the first commander and Robert L. Voss was the first Sergeant Major of the unit. Sergeant Voss recently celebrated his 92nd birthday.