UITG

[Ler]

Hey,
Maybe some of the old timers can help me on this one. Does anyone have any info on the United States Army Individual Training Group(UITG)? This was an SF project in Vietnam 1970-1972 that trained Cambodians. Once the Cambodians were trained(Basic INF training) they were shipped back to Cambodia to fight the NVA and Khmer Rouge. The reason this training was done in Vietnam was becasue of the Church-Cooper Amend which wouldn't allow US troops to be combat advisors in Cambodia. It's hard to find info on this. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,,Ler..

[Longhorn92]

Hello Ler...I have a booklet published by RADIX press titled "Who's Who from UITG/FANK"...it lists training sites, dates, units involved in the training and all personnel assigned to UITG/FANK...if you're looking for something specific let me know...

[Ler]

Hi Longhorn,
Thanks alot for the reply, I know UITG is kind of an obscure project and after awhile I didn't think anyone would reply. The book you have about UITG/FANK seems pretty interesting. I'm goining to search around to see where and if I can find one. In the meantime maybe you could tell me how to get a copy. Also UITG's name was changed to FANK Training Center, right? When was UITG-FANK disbanned, in DEC1972 or was it actually in 1973. My old SGM at 1st SFG was in UITG and I've read very little about it. I'm just interested in UITG info because it was probably the last SF "project" in SEA besides MEDTEC. What is the quality of this RADIX booklet you have, is it pretty much just dry stuff or are there inteviews and photos? Well, thanks again for the reply and I look foward to hearing from you. TC,,Ler..

[Longhorn92]

No problem on the reply...RADIX Press is run by a friend of mine, Steve Sherman...he was with the 5th Group in Vietnam and is now a full time SF archivist/researcher/author...if it's SF Vietnam related he'll know about it...he's published a bunch of booklets similar to the UITG/FANK one I described...he's now putting out CD's of AAR's and things of that nature, such as Det B52 (Project Delta) AAR's and other similar info...is it dry, you ask? Well, his works aren't really meant for casual reading, they're more of a reference type material with listed facts; no pics or interviews (although his newer CD stuff has pics)...I love them though, they have unit rosters, camp locations and basic info regarding a specific unit or team, for example...they're small paper booklets with only about 30 pages; but as I said they have a ton of info...here's some info straight from his book:

Headquarters, USARV Individual Training Group

From Company A, 5th SFG(A) 2/24/71
USARV Training Group (TAG)
Redesignated Headquarters, FANK Training Command 5/15/72
Redesignated Headquarters, Field Training Command 12/1/72
Deactivated 2/28/73

Call Steve at 713-683-9076...just ask him if he still has some FANK/UITG booklets available...tell him Joe the HPD officer referred you to him...if you need any other info let me know...

[Ler]

Hello Joe,
Thanks a lot for the info. That's great. I'll call Steve soon and see what he has. A while ago I was looking for some info on STD(MACVSOG's ARVN counterpart) and Radix was recommended but I searched and couldn't find anything. Radix must be a pretty small operation. How did you end up reading about FANK? Anyhow thanks again and Take Care,,Ler..

[OldSFer]

Longhorn,

What happened to Steve's website? I can't access it anymore. Thanks

[Longhorn92]

Ler...yes, it's a small operation but puts out quality factual info...I don't remember how I first learned of FANK...it's mentioned in a lot of the books I have...Old SFer, I can't access his page either...I'll call him tomorrow...I was just on the site two weeks ago and spoke with Steve last week...I'll let you know..

[Ler]

Joe,
The only books I've come across that mention FANK is a book about SF by Shelby Stanton and "The War in CAmbodia" by Osprey also MG BOWRA contributed to this book(exSOG and MEDTEC). Any other sources on FANK?
Thanks Again,,Ler..

[Longhorn92]

Ler...I checked my bookshelf and found a few titles that have FANK info...

Special Forces of the United States Army 1952-1982...Ian Sutherland

A Concise History of U.S. Special Operations Forces vol 1...Geoffrey T. Barker

Osprey Men at Arms #209 The War in Cambodia...Conboy/Bowra

Who's Who from UITG/FANK...Sherman

Green Berets at War...Shelby Stanton

Special Forces at War...Shelby Stanton

The Illustrated History of the U.S. Army Special Forces...Leroy Thompson

The Team: Australian Army Advisers In Vietnam 1962-1972...Ian McNeill

U.S. Special Forces Shoulder and Pocket Insignia...Harry Pugh

Most have just basic and brief info on the unit and its activities...a few have nice insignia displayed..."The Team" is an excellent book and has several pages devoted to the Aussie contribution to FANK...if you want any other info or help in finding a particular book let me know...

[Ler]

Longhorn,
Thanks for the list. I contacted Steve S and he did say his webpage may be down for a while. He recommended I read Plaster's books, but I already have 'em both.
SF at War: an illustrated history by Shelby Stanton is a great book. I checked it out once from a library at Ft Lewis and haven't seen one since. If you know where I can get a copy or who has one for sale, I'm willing to pay good money for a copy. Thanks,,Ler..

[joemagic]

I was with UITG/FANK from March - December 1972 - location was Long Hai (B-43) with B-36 right up the road - do you have a specific question you need answered.

[E19]

I just checked Sherman's site and it was working.

http://www.specialforcesbooks.com/