1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D), popularly known as Delta Force, is a U.S. Army component of Joint Special Operations Command. It was formerly listed as the Combat Applications Group (CAG) by the Department of Defense. While 1st SFOD-D is administratively supported by USASOC, it falls under the operational control of the Joint Special Operations Command. Delta Force and its Navy counterpart, the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, are the United States military's primary counter-terrorism units. It is often referred to in the U.S. media as a Special Mission Unit.

Delta Force's primary tasks are counter-terrorism, direct action, and national intervention operations, although it is an extremely versatile group capable of conducting many types of clandestine missions, including, but not limited to, hostage rescues and raids.

The Central Intelligence Agency's highly secretive Special Activities Division (SAD) and more specifically its elite Special Operations Group (SOG) often works with – and recruits – operators from Delta Force.
The unit is under the organization of the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) but is controlled by the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). Command of 1st SFOD-D is a Colonel's billet. Virtually all information about the unit is highly classified and details about specific missions or operations generally are not available publicly. A number of sources, including the book Inside Delta Force by Command Sergeant Major Eric L. Haney (ret.), suggest the unit's strength ranges from 800 to 1,000 personnel.
by The Centurion January 31, 2015
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The 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta is The United States Army's premeir Counter-Terrorist unit. Delta along with Navy SEAL Team 6 (DEVGRU) and The Air Force's 24th STS form JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command.). Delta Force usually recruits primarily from the 75th Ranger Regiment, yet many Delta Operatives have earned their Green Beret and went through Ranger School before going through Delta screening. Delta Force has been rumored to have a drop out rate of 99.972%. (Example: If you gathered 100,000 fully grown, adult males only 28 could pass Delta screening.) Delta also cross-trains with The British Special Air Service and other Special Forces units of Allied countries.
Earn a Green Beret, get your Ranger tab, go through Delta Force Screening and maybe cross-train with The Grandfathers of Special Operations (The British Special Air Service.). How many people could do it?
by Frozen Eagle December 7, 2012
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Real full name is 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta. They are in the U.S. army, however are open to all branches and recruit soldiers from every branch (even SEALs in the navy). They were inspired by British SAS (who they cross train with). And these guys are The Ultra-elite U.S. Special Ops soldiers. They have about 360 personnel. These guys are the Baddest, biggest, boldest, bravest, best, crazyest, deadliest, hardest, meanest, most accurate shooters (have to score 100% accuracy), most badass, most brutal, most elite, most extreme, most fearless, most hardcore, most powerful, most Professional ass kicking, roughest, scariest, smartest, toughest, top, and ultimate warriors in the world. They are the army's version of the navy's SEAL TEAM SIX, and in general about equally elite. You may have heard that these crazy bastards were involved in the Black Hawk Down insident. They also helped capture Saddam Hussein. Some people think that they should have been the ones who killed Bin Laden. These guys are such badass motherfuckers that a single 4 man group of Delta Force members could likely defend themselves against like hundreds of I.S.I.S. members. They are nearly impossible to hide from. I would be honored to serve in Delta Force.
Taliban company leader: Okay I got a few Platoons in my company ready to attack! Americans will die!

Delta Force guy 3 minutes later: HOOAH! I had destroyed that company of fuckers by myself! Now I hope their leader says hello to them down in hell after I kill him next! It sure kicks ass to be in Delta Force!

Random soldier: That dude over there cleared out a hotel with like dozens of Al-Qaeda members all by himself! He scored 100% accuracy on his shooting test! What an ass kicking machine!

Other Soldier: Guy must be in Delta Force
by Chillice February 7, 2015
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1st Special Detachment Delta, or Delta Force, is a secret Counter Terrorism Branch of the US Army. They specialize in Hostage Situations, Recon Missions, and Counter Terrorism. Delta Force has been involved in numerous missions including the operation to capture warlord Mohammed Farrah Aidid and his colleagues. Delta Force was sent in with Task Force Ranger and the 160th SOAR on MH-6 Little birds and Blawkhawks, as well as a ground convoy to capture these people.

Delta Force is one of Americas top Military units(Others include Navy Seals, and Army Rangers. Delta was created by U.S. Army colonel Charles Beckwith in 1977 in direct response to numerous, well-publicized terrorist incidents that occurred in the 1970s. Delta trained along side the British SAS for many years.
Army Ranger -"Dam these sons-o-bitches wont stay down"
Delta Operator - :Double tap of M4: "He's down now"

Example #1 - Delta Force operators Randy David Shughart and Gary Ivan Gordon were awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously for their actions in Somali.

Example #2 - Deployed to the Gulf in 1991, both to serve as bodyguards for senior U.S. officers and, later, as part of a massive effort to locate and destroy mobile SCUD launchers in Iraq’s northern deserts.

Example #31993 - As part of Task Force Ranger, took part in numerous operations to apprehend warlord Mohamad Farah Aidid in Mogadishu, Somalia.
by Mike Black September 19, 2006
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A secret unit of the United States military that has never been confirmed into actually existing. They are said to specialize in international hostage rescue, anti-terrorism, and stealth combat.
That man was in Delta Force. Or was he?
by Nicolaivich January 19, 2004
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1st Special Detachment Delta, or Delta Force, is a secret Counter Terrorism Branch of the US Army. They specialize in Hostage Situations, Recon Missions, and Counter Terrorism.
Mohammed Al-Zarqawi was arrested today by a Special Forces unit named Delta Force.
by Jack Bauer February 5, 2005
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A nickname used by the adults in the late 1970s regarding groups of teenage males who prowled the streets of Whiting, Indiana and the East side of Chicago in Oldsmobile Delta 88s.
by Joe Iron June 22, 2007
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