By now, the entire globe is acquainted with how the United States carried out a major military operation and captured Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. During the operation, explosions were heard in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, as well as other areas which indicated that the US specifically targeted key areas.
However, not many are aware of the fact that these attacks on key targets were carried out with the help of US military's special unit, Delta Force, according to a report by CBS News.
What is Delta Force?
This special unit was founded in 1977 and is based at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Touted as one of the most elite and secretive military units worldwide, it operates under the US Army Special Operations Command and reports to the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).
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Also known as 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D), the structure of Delta Force is modelled after the British SAS (22nd Special Air Service Regiment). The British SAS served as an inspiration for Colonel Charles Beckwith, who is the founder of Delta.
Due to its super secretive nature of work, the Delta Force goes by many names, including Army Compartmented Elements (ACE), Combat Applications Group (CAG) or Delta.
Its mission
The Delta Force specializes in high risk and high value missions is carries out counter-terrorism operations, hostage rescue, elimination and capture of terrorist threats. This elite unit has also been specially trained in close protection of high-profile people and unconventional warfare. The operators of this special unit are adept at sniping, close-quarters combat, explosives and covert entry techniques.
Structure
The Delta Force is divided into four squadrons and each is further divided into three troops. The recce/sniper troop gathers intelligence and takes care of sniper missions. The two direct action/assault troops lay focus on attacking targets, raids and other high-risk missions.
Eligibility to join unit
The Delta Force recruits only the most committed people which usually includes soldiers from the US Army Special Forces (Green Berets) and the 75th Ranger Regiment.
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The selection process is highly meticulous and lasts for 3-4 weeks, with only a handful of candidates making it to the final list. Then come the physical tests where candidates are needed to go through a timed 18-mile night march carrying a 35-pound rucksack or a 40-mile march in steepy terrains with a 45-pound rucksack.
Candidates who clear this enter the Operators Training Course (OTC), which takes another six months. Finally, the Elite Squad gets ready to perform some of the most dangerous missions in the world.
Ops carried out by Delta
While its operations are highly secretive, some of the most famous ones are Operation Prime Chance, 2001 Hunt For Bin Laden, Baghdad Airstrike, Iraq Hostage Rescue, Operation Gothic Serpent, Somalia, Operation Urgent Fury, Grenada, and the Raid on ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
