
Units from the Army's 75th Ranger Regiment and 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment are controlled by JSOC when deployed as part of JSOC Task Forces such as Task Force 121 and Task Force 145. The Joint Communications Unit provides communications capabilities. The 24th Special Tactics Squadron attaches personnel as enablers to these two units such as Combat Controllers to provide air traffic control and fire support, Pararescuemen to provide combat medicine and combat search and rescue, and Tactical Air Control Party specialists to co-ordinate close air support. Delta Force and DEVGRU are the military's primary counter-terrorism units, eliminating high-value targets and performing hostage rescues are their main roles, along with special reconnaissance and direct action assignments. The Intelligence Support Activity's primary role is as a deep reconnaissance, intelligence-gathering special mission unit, in support of DEVGRU and Delta Force.

The Army's Intelligence Support Activity (ISA) Īdditionally, a fifth unit, the Army Ranger's Regimental Reconnaissance Company (RRC), part of USASOC, has been referred to as a SMU.The Air Force's 24th Special Tactics Squadron (24 STS).The Navy's Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU / SEAL Team 6).The Army's 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (Delta Force).


So far, only four SMUs have been publicly disclosed: These are elite special operations forces units that perform highly classified activities. The Joint Special Operations Command also oversees the Special Mission Units of U.S. Further information: Special Mission Unit
