Delta Force,” officially known as 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D), is one of the U.S. special missions units primarily focused on the counter-terrorism mission. SFOD-Delta has been through a few name changes over the years, and even though it will likely always be known as SFOD–Delta, it was recently renamed the Combat Applications Group (CAG) and is now officially known as Army Compartmented Elements (ACE).

Though Delta Force is primarily a tier-one counter-terrorist unit, specifically directed to kill or capture high value units (HVU) or dismantle terrorist cells, Delta Force remains extremely flexible and can engage in direct action missions, hostage rescues, and covert missions working directly with the Central Intelligence Agency, as well as high ranking protective services of our senior leaders during visits in war torn countries. Delta is under operational control of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) though administratively supported by the Army Special Operations Command (USASOC).

Delta Force History

Compared to our nation’s military history, Delta is relatively young, having been formed in 1977 by its first commander, Colonel Charles Beckwith. With the growing threat of terrorism around the world, Beckwith saw a need for a precision strike force within the Army after working with the British Special Air Service (SAS) in the early 1970’s. Beckwith was tasked to form the new unit and pulled largely from the Special Forces Groups. The type of missions the SFOD-Delta has been involved with over the past few decades are classified but some have been de-classified and noted publicly in media reports and books written by Delta Operators. Here is a list of several of the declassified engagements:

Operation Eagle Claw – In 1980, during the Iran Hostage Crisis a failed attempt at a rescue due to aviation equipment/operator error led to the death of eight Americans;as a result the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment was created.

Operation Urgent Fury – Grenada prisoner rescue from the Richmond Hill prison.
Operation Just Cause – Panama invasion to capture Noriega and protect some 35,000 Americans living in Panama.

Gulf War – Iraq invades Kuwait and the US-led alliance defeats Saddam Hussein and his Army, pushing them back into Iraq. Operation Gothic Serpent – Part of the Battle of Mogadishu (1993) where U.S. helicopters were shot down and two Delta Operators SFC Randall Shughart and MSG Gary Gordon were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their efforts that day.
War in Afghanistan -Within a month of the September 11, 2001 attacks, Special Forces operators aided in defeating and dismantling the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Battle of Tora Bora – A massive joint engagement to kill or capture Osama bin Laden.

Operation Red Dawn – Locating and capturing Saddam Hussein.
Countless Hostage Rescues around the world.
How to Join Delta Force

The SFOD-D curently receives its recruits from all over the Army, still pulling mainly from the Ranger Regiments and Special Forces Groups. Recruits must be in the Army, male, with at least 2.5 years of service left on enlistment, and within the E4 – E8 rank. The best way to learn more about getting into Delta is to join the Army, serve in the Army Ranger or Special Forces. There are no civilian-to-Delta enlistment programs as they are looking for experienced, mature operators to join the ranks of this top counter-terrorist unit.