NCJ Number
118503
Date Published
1989
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This discussion of the organization and operation of antiterrorist military units focuses on the units used by the United States, Israel, and the Soviet Union.
Abstract
The successful West German and Israeli use of military units to rescue hostages from aircraft hijacked by terrorists prompted the United States to form a small antiterrorist force to conduct surgical strikes against terrorists who victimize Americans abroad. This unit, called the Delta Force, failed in its effort to free the hostages held in the American embassy in Iran and formed a core group in the Grenada raid, which had a number of logistical problems. Some successful American military antiterrorist efforts have been the thwarting of Iranian mine laying in the Persian Gulf and the forcing down of an Egyptian airliner carrying the terrorists responsible for the Achille Lauro hijacking. Continuous efforts have been made to upgrade the equipment, personnel, and training of American antiterrorist military units. Key issues in the future success of such units are effective intelligence operations and the logistics of locating and transporting the units near areas of terrorist activity. Israel's antiterrorist strategy, which has had notable success, is part of a policy of continuous warfare against the terrorist organizations that threaten Israel. The Soviets have commando-type units known as Spetsnaz that conduct special military operations, most recently in Afghanistan. 18 notes.