1st SFG(A) commander visits the Red Empire, recognizes excellence

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Brig. Gen. Joseph Wortham II, commander of 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) and his leadership team visited 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), for a semiannual training brief, to learn about current operations at the unit Oct. 1, 2026.

Wortham used his visit to the Red Empire to gain firsthand insight about current operations, conduct physical fitness with the troops, award command coins to outstanding Soldiers and recognize the Language, Regional Expertise and Cultural (LREC) program 's contributions to the unit.

"One of the most unique things about 7th SFG(A) is that it is the only Special Forces Group that is not located on an Army base," Wortham said. "This makes it even more important to visit and understand where support is needed, since there is no major Army unit co-located that can support the Group with major logistic and administrative needs."

During the visit, the 1st SFC(A) commander spoke about the importance of language in the Special Forces community, recognizing the impact the LREC program has on the unit's ability to execute Special Operations across Central and South America. He noted that instructors work tirelessly to coach and mentor both Special Forces and support Soldiers to speak Spanish and Portuguese.

"Our language capability is unique and is one of the key skills that sets Green Berets apart from most other Special Operations Forces," said Wortham. "Having a language capability is vital in building relationships with partners and allies abroad, being self-reliant in foreign countries, and mitigating risk on missions."

Wortham also met with Master Sgt. Robert Mizner, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the LREC program, Rebekah Johnson, the language instructional developer, and the rest of their team.

"I'm very proud of the team we have; the great thing about our team is that they not only bring language expertise but also cultural expertise," said Johnson. "More importantly, I care about how much they care about who's in the classroom."

For two years in a row, the 7th SFG(A) LREC program has won U.S. Army Special Operations Command Program of the Year, excelling in tutoring, operational language training, and cultural training for the many countries in the group's area of responsibility. To maintain that standard, the language team constantly assesses its training and evaluation methods, ensuring the Soldiers who go through their doors remain highly proficient.

"The language aspect is our biggest bread and butter when it comes to building rapport with our partner forces," said Mizner. "Having them be able to speak the language of our partners helps build the relationships for both current and future missions."

Alongside the LREC program recognition, Wortham also recognized the achievements of 12 7th SFG(A) Soldiers, speaking on their commitment to their peers, their mission and the overall Special Forces community. He then presented command coins to the Soldiers and thanked them for their contributions and selfless service.

Wortham's visit provided an opportunity to connect directly with Red Empire Soldiers, recognize their hard work and reinforce the importance of their contributions to the mission. As a result, senior leaders show that Soldiers' dedication and performance are valued throughout the command.

"People are one of 1st SFC(A)'s top three priorities, so it is imperative we interact with them, get to know them and recognize their hard work," Wortham said. "Everyone in this organization is a volunteer, and it takes them all to make it one of the best and most trusted organizations in the Army."

7th SFG(A) continues its legacy of excellence in the special operations realm, working alongside regional partners to maintain readiness for any situation. The unit remains postured to deploy anywhere, anytime in support of U.S., allied, and partner operations around the globe, while strengthening enduring relationships throughout the Special Forces community.