TACTICAL SUPPORT BRANCH
The Tactical Support Branch, made up of the Hostage
Rescue Team and Operations Training Unit,
ensures that the FBI has a full time, national-level tactical team capable
of being deployed to protect the American people at home and overseas.
Hostage
Rescue Team
Servare Vitas - "To
Save Lives"
The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Hostage
Rescue Team (HRT), part of the Tactical Support Branch of CIRG, is a full time,
national-level tactical team, headquarted in Quantico, Virginia. The mission
of the HRT is to be prepared to deploy to any location within four hours of
notification by the Director of the FBI or his designated representative, and
conduct a successful rescue of United States persons and others who may be
held illegally by a hostile force, either terrorist or criminal in nature.
The HRT is also prepared to deploy to any location and perform other law enforcement
activities as directed by appropriate authorities.
The HRT operationally deploys in support of
FBI field divisions and performs a number of law enforcement tactical functions
in all environments and under a variety of conditions. In its 17 year history,
the team, or components of the team, have deployed on over 200 occasions
in support of FBI terrorism, violent criminal, foreign counter-intelligence
and other investigations. HRT has performed missions involving hostage
rescue, barricaded subjects, high-risk arrest and warrant service (raids),
and dive search. Additionally, the HRT has performed traditional law enforcement
roles during hurricane relief operations, dignitary protection missions,
tactical surveys, and on occasion, pre-positions in support of special
events such as the Olympic Games, presidential inaugurations, and political
conventions.
Past and Present
In 1982, a decision was made at the highest levels of the U.S. Department of
Justice to create a special counterterrorist unit within law enforcement
to offer a tactical option for any extraordinary hostage crisis occurring
within the United States. The decision was made to create this unit within
the FBI. As a result, the Attorney General authorized the formation of
the HRT, comprised of carefully selected, highly motivated and experienced
Agents. After several months of intensive training, and the procurement
of special equipment necessary for such a group, the team was activated
in 1983 and assigned to the Washington Metropolitan Field Office. The
team was originally allocated 50 Agent positions.
Today, as part of the FBI's Critical Incident
Response Group (CIRG) located at the FBI Academy in Quantico, the team
is authorized 91 Special Agents. The HRT is structured to deploy with part,
or all of its personnel and resources, depending upon the magnitude of
a crisis, and can be augmented by other CIRG entities with specialists
trained in areas of negotiation, behavioral science, and communications.
Training
Assignment to the HRT is voluntary, and is open to all Special Agents of the
FBI. HRT operators are selected based upon their background and experience,
as well as their demonstrated performance during a rigorous two week
selection course. Once selected, operators undergo a four month initial
training program.
When not operationally deployed, the HRT conducts
full-time training at sites across the United States, including Quantico.
The HRT trains for a wide variety of missions, and in all climates found
within the United States and its territories. This training consists of
highly specialized, tactical law enforcement operations including, among
others:
- hostage rescue and barricaded subjects;
- high risk arrest/searches;
- mobile assaults;
- manhunt and rural operations;
- maritime operations;
- helicopter operations;
- weapons of mass destruction; and,
- cold weather operations.
