Delta Force

Delta Force is also known as First Special Forces Operational Detatchment Delta (1SFOD), or as the Combat Applications Group (CAG). It is one of the United States Federal Government's CT (Counter Terrorist) units. The Pentagon controls information about Delta Force tightly. The existence of Delta Force is still officially denied, even though it is commonly known that the unit took part in Eagle Claw, the failed attempt to rescue about 70 American hostages from the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979.

Delta Force recruits its members from the U.S. Army, mainly from the Special forces: Green Berets and Rangers. Their main compound stands in a remote area of Fort Bragg housing about 2,500 personnel. Reports of the compound mention numerous shooting facilities (both for close-quarters battle and longer-range sniping), a dive tank, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a huge climbing wall, and a mockup of an airliner.

Delta Force sub-divides into three operating squadrons, each of which comprises small groups known as "troops". Each troop specializes in HALO, SCUBA, or other skill groups. These troops can each further divide into smaller units, as needed to fit mission requirements.

In addition, one of the components of Delta Force is called the "Funny Platoon." It consists of only women, and it is the only part of the U.S. special operations community which even accepts them. It is alleged that the unit's members are intended to be deployed alone rather than in groups, since there are some locales where women would arouse less suspicion than men. For this reason, the tactics of its members are said to emphasize the use of disguses and concealable small arms. Understandably, it is not known whether any members of the "Funny Platoon" have been involved in Delta Force operations to date.

One of several operations in which Delta Force operators allegedly played important roles was the invasion of Iraq in 2003. They allegedly entered Baghdad in advance, building networks of informants while eavesdropping on and sabotaging Iraqi communication lines. In addition, it is alleged that they were involved in the offensive against the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2002. In particular, many observers strongly suspect that members of Delta Force made up one of two units involved in a raid on a residence belonging to Mullah Omar. According to The Pentagon, the level of resistance to that operation was low.

The Mullah was not present, but some papers and computer disks were said to have been seized in the raid. Critics later alleged that the second unit was unnecessary, claiming that it was very large and uncoordinated. As a result, they say, the defenders were alerted early and the number of friendly casualties was in fact higher than reported.