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What kinds of targets are attacked during direct special operations?
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special operations warfare
Members of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command training for water rescue, 2007.
In special operations warfare, direct or kinetic operations involve the application of military force to destroy, capture, or kill specific targets. These missions are typically categorized by the nature of the objective:1
- Direct Action: The most generic form of a raid, focusing on the destruction or seizure of people, equipment, and facilities.1
- Counterterrorism: Specifically targets terrorist leaders, organizers, their followers, and associated infrastructure.1
- Counterproliferation: Focuses on weapons of mass destruction, aiming to seize, neutralize, or destroy these weapons and their components to render them safe.1
These operations are often characterized as "great raids" due to their daring nature and immediate, decisive results. Because they involve high-stakes objectives—such as the 2011 mission targeting Osama bin Laden—they require exhaustive rehearsal and detailed intelligence to ensure success and mitigate risk.1