Category Archives: Videos
Det-A related videos
Major General James A. Guest Memorial Service After Action Report
Many thanks and much appreciation to all those who made this Special Forces Honor Guard Ceremony for Major General James A. Guest possible.
Major General Lawrence G. Ferguson, Commanding General 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) attended.
POC/MSG – Robert “Bob” Charest coordinated with all military-related Special Forces Honor Guard services was in attendance.
Representation from the Special Forces Association, and representation from Special Forces in the area were in attendance including Chris Wilkerson – President, Special Forces Association, Garon Strong – Special Projects, Special Forces Association. Pete Tingstrom – Special Forces Association provided much support and services.
MSG Scott Fagan was there with his Junior Army ROTC cadets providing support as needed.
Honor Guard Team from the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) performed the Honor Guard services including, 21-gun salute, TAPS, and playing of the Ballard of the Green Beret.
Doug Elwell Regimental Bagpiper performed family-requested music including Amazing Grace.
Peter Kelley Speech Version 02
Peter Kelley was the guest speaker at the Detachment “A” Berlin Brigade Get Together 12 – 15 September 2024.
This video presents former Detachment “A” Berlin Brigade member Peter Kelley who served in Detachment “A” from 1975 to 1979; an incredibly significant and consequential period in Detachment “A” Berlin Brigade’s History/Legacy 1956-1984.
Version 2 contains dozens of additional personal photos from Pete’s career and personal life.
Detachment “A”/MAC-V SOG Member Connection
Short overview of some of the members who served in Detachment “A” Berlin 1956-1984 and also in MAC-V SOG Vietnam 1964 – 1972.
The Beginnings of Detachment “A”
Short overview of the beginnings of the historical Detachment “A” Berlin Brigade – 1956 – 1984
The Ghost Units That Really Did Exist
The Ghost Units That Really Did Exist
Detachment “A” Berlin Brigade 1956 – 1984 and the MAC-V SOG Connection.
This video represents a compilation thumbnail look at Detachment”A” Berlin Brigade and the connection between Detachment “A” and MAC-V SOG presented by former member of both units, Bob Charest.
Detachment “A” was a highly classified clandestine Green Beret Special Forces unit operating during the Cold War in Berlin Germany; its mission: urban unconventional warfare, counter terrorism, conducting the most intense clandestine operations.
This group of elite members operated in Berlin Germany from
1956 – 1984.
It features some of the early ‘original’ Detachment “A” members including Lodge Act folks, those who established and created the Detachment “A” Special Forces history and legacy. It touches on the beginnings, missions, training, tradecraft, exercises, and more.
Also highlighted is the historical connection between Detachment “A” and the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MAC-V SOG) 1964 – 1972, another highly classified clandestine unit operating in Vietnam and beyond conducting the most dangerous clandestine, covert, and black operations. MAC-V SOG received the Presidential Unit Citation award.
Many members of Detachment “A” also served in MAC-V SOG.
Detachment “A” and MAC-V SOG remained classified and thereby unknown for many decades.
This video is dedicated to all Detachment “A” and MAC-V SOG members.
Peter Kelley Guest Speaker Detachment “A” Berlin
Peter Kelley was the guest speaker at the Detachment “A” Berlin Get Together 12 – 15 September 2024.
This video presents former Detachment “A” Berlin member Peter Kelley who served in Detachment “A” from 1975 to 1979; an incredibly significant and consequential period in Detachment “A” Berlin’s History/Legacy 1956-1984.
Peter served as a Team Leader and later S3, primarily under COL Stan Olchovik’s Command and with his good fellow Native German friend, CSM Jeff Raker.
Peter takes us through his experiences growing up in Germany, his passage to America, his entry into US Army Special forces and his career to include Detachment “A” for which he states: “I was born for that job.”
Peter commanded the first composite team which trained with Colonel Ulrich Wegener’s German GSG 9 Counter-Terrorist Unit & with Berlin SEK. He also served as Commander of the Winter Warfare Training in Berchtesgaden two consecutive winters.
Thumbnail Look at Detachment “A” 39th Special Forces Berlin 1956-1984 with MAC-V SOG Connection
Detachment “A” 39th Special Forces Berlin 1956 – 1984 and the MAC-V SOG Connection
This video presents a Thumbnail look at Detachment “A” from former member Bob Charest.
Detachment “A” was a highly classified clandestine Green Beret Special Forces unit operating during the Cold War in Berlin Germany; its mission: urban unconventional warfare, counter terrorism, conducting the most intense clandestine operations. This group of elite members operated in Berlin Germany from 1956-1984.
It features some of the early ‘original’ Detachment “A” members including Lodge Act folks, those who established and created the Detachment “A” Special Forces legacy. It touches on missions, training, tradecraft, exercises, and updated member interviews.
Also highlighted is the historical connection between Detachment “A” and the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MAC-V SOG) 1964-1972, another highly classified clandestine unit operating in Vietnam and beyond conducting the most dangerous clandestine, covert, and black operations. MAC-V SOG received the Presidential Unit Citation award.
Many members of Detachment “A” also served in MAC-V SOG.
Detachment “A” and MAC-V SOG remained classified and thereby unknown for many decades.
This video represents Bob’s personal insight of Detachment “A” and the MAC-V SOG connection based on his eight years in Detachment “A” 1969-1972, and 1973-1978, and his time in B-56 Project Sigma, SOG Vietnam 1967-1968.
This is boots on the ground information.
This video is dedicated to all Detachment “A” and SOG members.
Jeff Raker Speech Part III
This is Part III of the speech Jeff Raker, former SGM of Detachment “A”, gave at the Detachment “A” get together on 17 September 2016.
The speech overs lots of territory.
Click here to see Part I of the speech
Click here to see Part II of the speech
Memorial Stone Dedication Ceremony
This USASOC Update covers the Detachment “A” stone laying ceremony that took place on 30 January 2014, at the USASOC Memorial Plaza. The stone laying ceremony was held in order to commemorate the valorous achievements of Detachment “A”.