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.
Today, the HRT is part of the FBI's Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG) located at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. 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.