Obverse Design

The challenge coin has the flash with crest of the 8th Special Forces Group. The flash is in the shape of a shield divided diagonally with the upper left colored yellow and the lower right colored blue. The yellow and blue are meant to represent gold and teal which are the official colors of the flash. The crest on the flash has a black banner with the Special Forces motto "DE OPPRESO LIBER" which is latin and means "TO FREE THE OPPRESSED". The ends of the banner are folded over such that they look like two oppressed people with bowed heads. Inside the banner are two crossed arrows and a vertical white fighting knife pointing up.

The legend along the upper edge of the medal says "8TH SPECIAL FORCES GROUP (AIRBORNE)". The coin has a braided raised edge, and a plain and smooth background. The background is colored green.
Reverse Design

The central design of the reverse is the Special Forces patch. It has an arrowhead shape to represent the craft and stealth of America's first warriors, the American Indians. An upturned dagger represents the unconventional warfare missions of Special Forces. Three lightning bolts represent blinding speed and strength, and the three methods of infiltration - land, sea and air. The dagger and lightning bolts are colored yellow, and the arrowhead background is colored blue. The yellow and blue are meant to represent gold and teal. Above the patch is a curved banner or tab which says "AIRBORNE" and has a blue background. Below the insignia is a raised rectangle where the name of the recipient could be engraved.

The legend along the upper edge of the medal says "CANAL ZONE, PANAMA". The coin has a braided raised edge, and a plain and smooth background.
Metal Brown metal, composition unknown. Weight Unknown. Size and Shape Round, 41 mm in diameter.
Dates Issued Unknown. Due to the design with color added, probably in the mid-1990's or later, although the unit was deactivated in 1972.
Issuer Perhaps veterans from the 8th Special Forces Group.
Mintage Unknown.
Rarity Common. Manufacturer Unknown. Source Plowman Collection.
Varieties There is one variety with the obverse background colored green, and another with a plain metal obverse background.
Population Count As of November 27, 2002 these are being offered regularly by ebay seller 'chris10sin@aol.com' for an opening bid of $8.00 plus $2.00 shipping, and are readily available on ebay.
Historical Note The 8th Special Forces Group (Airborne) was activated April 1, 1963 at Fort Gulick and based in the Panama Canal Zone. It was deactivated in 1972 and the personnel transferred to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).