Delta Force (1st SFOD‑D), formed in the late 1970s by Col. Charles Beckwith, is a U.S. Army special‑operations unit focused on counterterrorism, hostage rescue, direct action, special reconnaissance and capturing high‑value targets. Selection is extremely selective; training stresses marksmanship, CQB, reconnaissance, languages and intelligence integration. Publicly known roles include involvement in Task Force Ranger (Somalia) and numerous covert raids in Iraq and Afghanistan; details are often classified. For more, look up Beckwith’s accounts and reputable histories of modern U.S. special operations.