The United States carried out a major military operation in Venezuela, during which U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were subsequently removed from the country by aircraft.
During the operation, powerful explosions were heard in Caracas, as well as in other areas, indicating that U.S. forces struck key strategic targets. According to CBS News, the mission was executed by Delta Force, the U.S. Army’s premier special operations unit.
What Is Delta Force?
Founded in 1977 and headquartered at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Delta Force is considered one of the most elite and secretive military units in the world.
The unit operates under the U.S. Army Special Operations Command and answers directly to the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). Its official designation is 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment–Delta (1st SFOD-D).
Delta Force was modeled after the British SAS (22nd Special Air Service Regiment), which inspired its founder, Colonel Charles Beckwith. Due to its extreme secrecy, the unit has operated under various names, including Combat Applications Group (CAG) and Army Compartmented Elements (ACE).
Primary Mission of Delta Force
Delta Force specializes in high-risk, high-value missions, primarily involving:
- Counterterrorism operations
- Hostage rescue
- Capture or elimination of terrorist threats
- Special reconnaissance
- Close protection of high-profile individuals
Its operators are highly trained in close-quarters combat, sniper operations, explosives, and covert entry techniques, enabling them to operate effectively in aircraft, trains, ships, vehicles, and urban or hostile environments worldwide.
Structure of Delta Force
Delta Force is organized into four main squadrons, each divided into three troops:
- Reconnaissance/Sniper Troop, responsible for intelligence gathering and precision operations
- Two Direct Action/Assault Troops, focused on raids, target assaults, and high-risk missions
Notable Delta Force Operations
Most Delta Force missions remain classified, but several operations have become publicly known, including:
- Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada)
- Operation Gothic Serpent (Somalia)
- Prime Chance
- The 2001 hunt for Osama bin Laden
- Baghdad air assault operations
- Hostage rescues in Iraq
- The raid that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
Who Can Join Delta Force?
Delta Force recruits only the most capable and disciplined soldiers, primarily from:
- U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets)
- 75th Ranger Regiment
The selection process lasts three to four weeks and is extremely demanding, with only a small fraction of candidates succeeding.
Physical tests include:
- A 28 km night march carrying a 15 kg backpack
- Or a 40 km night march over rugged terrain with a 20 kg load
- Swimming tests in full military uniform
Candidates also undergo extensive psychological evaluations and interviews.
Those who pass enter the Operator Training Course (OTC), a six-month program designed to prepare elite operators for the most dangerous missions in the world.
