The 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) – abbreviated 3rd SFG(A) and often simply called 3rd Group – is an active duty United States Army Special Forces (SF) group which was active in the Vietnam Era (1963–69), deactivated, and then reactivated in 1990. The 3rd SFG(A) was primarily responsible for operations within the AFRICOM area of responsibility, as part of the Special Operations Command, Africa (SOCAFRICA). Its primary area of operations (AO) is now Central Asia as part of a 2009 SOCOM directive but 3rd Group has also been involved in the Caribbean and the Greater Middle East. While not quite as seasoned (inactive from 1969-1990) as some of the other Special Forces groups, the 3rd SFG(A) has seen extensive action in the War on Terror and its members have distinguished themselves on th