Editing Special Operations Officer

{{Status|Canon}}
[[File:H2A Spec Ops Sangheili.png|350px|thumb|A standard Special Operation Officer Sangheili employing the {{Pattern|Gheocin|combat harness}}.]]
{{Quote|Out of darkness, these blades will light our way.|Special Operations Officer Sangheili's mantra<ref name="HR">'''[[Halo: Reach]]'''</ref>}}
'''Special Operations Officer''' is a title held by select [[Sangheili]] serving within the [[Covenant]] and the empire's [[Covenant remnants|remnants]].{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc11|Enc11|Page=133}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=TF8|HTF|Chapter=8}} Within the [[Covenant military]], Special Operations Officers served in the [[Covenant Special Operations|Special Operations]] group.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Cov|Enc22|Page=242}} In the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|post-war]] era after the Covenant fell, many of the group's veteran ex-members have sought to establish similar special operations units within other factions, including the [[Banished]] and the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] among others.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Banished|Enc22|Page=429}}

==Overview==
===Roles and responsibilies===
Special Operations Officers are the Sangheili members of the [[Covenant Special Operations|Special Operations]] division of the [[Special Warfare Group]]. Sangheili of this rank are picked from the most elite warriors of the regular Covenant military, with personnel selected to serve in Special Operations requiring exceptional skills in close-quarters combat and [[Sniper|marksmanship]].{{Ref/Game|Id=LibraryElite|CEA|Library (feature)|Library|Detail=Spec Ops Elite}} When Sangheili troops are brought into the Special Operations division, any [[Unggoy]] under their command will also be unwillingly [[Special Operations Unggoy|recruited]] into the organisation too.{{Ref/Game|Id=LibraryGrunt|CEA|Library (feature)|Library|Detail=Spec Ops Grunt}} The bridge of a [[Covenant starship|starship]] (such as {{Pattern|Ceudar|heavy corvette}}) was sometimes seen to be crewed mainly by Special Operations Sangheili under the command of a [[shipmaster]].{{Ref/Level|Id=hr solace|HR|Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace}}

===Dress===
{{Expand-section}}
<gallery class=center>
File:H2A Spec Ops Sangheili.png|A Special Operation Officer with a {{Pattern|Gheocin|combat harness}}.
File:Spec Ops.png|A Special Operation Officer with an [[Infiltration harness]].
File:HINF Banished Spec-Ops Sangheili.png|A Banished Special Operation Officer with another chassis of the [[Infiltration harness]].
File:Sangheili SpecOps 01.png|A Special Operation Officer with an [[Assault harness]].
</gallery>

===History===
Special Operations Officers were widely utilized by the [[Covenant]] during its [[Human-Covenant War|genocidal campaign]] against the [[human]] race. When the [[Hierarchs]] betrayed the Sangheili, [[Great Schism|casting them out]] of the Covenant, many Special Operations Officer Sangheili along with the rest of their species fought against the now [[Jiralhanae]]-led Covenant forces on [[High Charity]].{{Ref/Level|H2|Gravemind (level)|Gravemind}} After the war, some Special Operations Officers became mercenaries and joined the [[Banished]]. Some were privately employed by individual Banished commanders to eliminate rivals and quell uprisings.{{Ref/Book|Id=EN|Enc22|Page=429}} Other Special Operations Officers joined the [[Swords of Sanghelios]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=blood-moon|Halo: Battle for the Blood-Moon}}

==Known Special Operations Officers==
===Covenant===
;Officers
*[[Huki 'Umamee]] – Killed during the [[Battle of Installation 04]].
*[[Zuka 'Zamamee]] – Part of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]]; killed by [[John-117]] during the Battle of Installation 04.
;Sub-commanders
*[[Bero 'Kusovai]] – [[Sub-commander]] and [[blademaster]] within the ''[[Seeker of Truth]]'' part of the Fleet of Particular Justice, and subordinate to [[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee; infected by the [[Flood]] and later killed by Rtas 'Vadumee during the [[Skirmish on Infinite Succor|Skirmish on ''Infinite Succor'']].
;Commanders
*[[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee – [[Commander (Covenant)|Commander]] of all Special Operations units within the Fleet of Particular Justice; later assumed the titles of [[Shipmaster]] of the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' and [[Fleetmaster]] of the [[Fleet of Retribution]] during the [[Great Schism]], and eventually joined the [[Swords of Sanghelios]].

===Banished===
*[[Okro 'Vagaduun]] – Experienced blademaster in service of the [[Bloodbrave Guardians of Suban]] within the [[Banished]]; killed by John-117 during the [[Battle for Zeta Halo]].

===Swords of Sanghelios===
*[[N'tho 'Sraom]] – Part of the [[Fleet of Retribution]]; later commanded the ''[[Mayhem]]''.
*[[Usze 'Taham]] – One of deadliest Special Operations commandos and part of the [[Fleet of Retribution]].
*[[Orim 'Kasaan]] - A SpecOps Sangheili in service to the [[Thel Vadam|Arbiter]]. Led a joint strike team during the [[Battle of Suban]].

==In-game information==
{{Main|Elite Spec Ops}}
{{Expand-section}}

==Production notes==
In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', Special Operations Sangheili are clad in a glossy black [[Combat harness]]{{Ref/Game|HCE}}; in ''[[Halo 2]]'' a deep purple combat harness{{Ref/Game|H2}}; in ''[[Halo 3]]'' a steel [[Assault harness]]{{Ref/Game|H3}}. In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'', and ''[[Halo Infinite]]'' they wear an [[Infiltration harness]] in dark maroon{{Ref/Game|HR}}, black{{Ref/Game|HCEA}}, and purple{{Ref/Game|HINF}} respectively. In ''Halo 2'', ''Halo: Reach'', and ''Halo Infinite'' their harness is embedded with [[active camouflage]].

Special Operations Sangheili are similar to [[Stealth Sangheili]], as they both possess [[active camouflage]] technology. However, the two are different and should not be confused: Stealth Sangheili have armor that has little or no shielding, and they are permanently cloaked until they are killed, whereas Special Operations Sangheili have stronger shielding and can appear both cloaked and uncloaked.

In ''Halo Infinite'', Spec Ops Sangheili are armed exclusively with [[energy sword (fiction)|energy swords]] and [[Anskum-pattern plasma grenade|plasma grenades]].

==Trivia==
Banished Spec Ops Elites are referred to as [[Zealots]] in ''Halo Infinite''{{'}}s game files.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFFoundations|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-foundations|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Foundations|Quote=Those rad-looking purple Sangheili in the sleek armor? They’re classified canonically as Spec Ops, not Zealots. It’s important to remember that oftentimes enemy or character tags that you might find within game files are development shorthand and not necessarily final.|D=12|M=1|Y=2022}}

==Trivia==

*The Special Operations Sangheili was the only class of Elite who throw plasma grenades in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', ''[[Halo 2]]'', and ''[[Halo 3]]''.
**Curiously, they stopped by the time of ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', presumably so higher ranked Elites, such as Zealots, Generals, and Ultras would become the bigger threat.
*With every original game they appear in, their shield strength would become weaker than the previous. In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', their shields were one of the strongest in the levels they appeared in. In ''Halo'' ''2'' and ''3'', their shield strength was synonymous to that of a [[Sangheili Major|Major's]]. While in ''Reach'', their shield is so weak, that it could be depleted with a single melee.

==Gallery==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Special Operations Sangheili}}
===Concept art and illustrations===
<gallery>
File:HGN SpecOpsTeam.png|A squad of Special Operations Sangheili in ''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''.
File:Headhunters - Elite concept.png|Concept of the Special Operations Sangheili from the [[Silent Shadow]] wearing a heavily modified [[Infiltration harness]] in ''[[Headhunters (story)|Headhunters]]''.
</gallery>

===''Halo: Combat Evolved''===
<gallery>
File:SpecOps Officer.png|Render of a Special Operations Sangheili.
File:SpecOpsElite.jpg|A Special Operations Sangheili with his {{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}} aboard the ''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]''.
File:HCE - CovSpecOps.jpg|A Special Operations Sangheili with a needler.
File:HCE ZukaZamamee CF.jpg|Close-up of a Special Operations Sangheili 
File:HCE Zuka&SpecOpsGrunt.png|Special Operations Officer [[Zuka 'Zamamee]] with a SpecOps Unggoy.
</gallery>

===''Halo 2''===
<gallery>
File:H2-SpecOps-Elite-Portrait.png|A Special Operations Sangheili wielding an [[energy sword]].
File:H2 Elite SpecOps.png|A Special Operations Sangheili with a needler.
File:H2 SpecOps Elite Beam Rifle.jpg|A Special Operations Sangheili with a [[Sulok-pattern beam rifle|particle beam rifle]].
File:Spec-Ops Elites.jpg|A squad of Special Operations Sangheili in a {{Pattern|Kez'katu|Phantom}}.
File:H2 Rtas Vadumee Rally.jpg|A squad of Special Operations Sangheili gather around Rtas 'Vadumee.
</gallery>

===''Halo 3''===
<gallery>
File:Halo 3 Spec Ops Elite.jpg|A Special Operations Sangheili with an [[Assault harness]] in the [[Battle of Voi]].
File:H3-SpecOpsSangheili.png|A trio of Special Operations Sangheili.
File:H3-SpecOpsSangheili-ThrowingGrenade.png|A Special Operations Sangheili throwing a plasma grenade at incoming Flood.
File:HTMCC-H3ODST-Specopsbuddies.png|Special Operations Sangheili in the ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'' version of ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' [[Firefight]].
</gallery>

===''Halo: Reach''===
<gallery>
File:HR_EliteSpecOps_Concept_2.png|Concept art of a Special Operations Sangheili.
File:HR_EliteSpecOps_Concept_1.jpg|Another concept art of a Special Operations Sangheili.
File:HR_EliteRanks_Concept.jpg|''Halo: Reach'' concept art for a number of Sangheili ranks, with Spec Ops featured under the name "Infiltrator".
File:HReach - SpecOps Sangheili.png|A Special Operations Sangheili jumping in an attack.
File:HR SpecOpsElites.jpg|A group of Special Operations Sangheili using active camouflage, with one also possessing [[Overshield]].
File:HR Sangheili Spec ops Squad Screenshot.jpg|A Squad of Special Operations Sangheili equipped with {{Pattern|Nahle'hax|needler}}s and {{pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}}s.
File:HR Sangheili Spec ops Needler Screenshot.jpg|A Special Operations Sangheili firing a needler.
File:HR Sangheili Spec ops focus rifle Screenshot.jpg|A Special Operations Sangheili firing a {{Pattern|M'tara|focus rifle}}.
File:HR Sangheili Spec ops assasination Screenshot.jpg|A Special Operations Sangheili being assassinated with an [[energy sword]].
</gallery>

===''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''===
<gallery>
File:Ceaspecops.png|Special Operations Sangheili in the [[Library (feature)|Library]].
</gallery>

===''Halo 2: Anniversary''===
<gallery>
File:Special Operations Sangheili.png|Profile view of a Special Operations Sangheili.
File:H2A-Rtas&Co.jpg|Rtas 'Vadumee speaking to a group of Special Operations Sangheili.
File:H2AMLGSpecopsElite&Friend.png|Two Special Operations Sangheili on the [[Threshold gas mine]].
File:H2AMLGSpecopsElite.png|A Special Operations Sangheili [[dual wielding]] plasma rifles.
File:H2A-SpecOpsSangheiliBeamRifle.png|A Special Operations Sangheili with a particle beam rifle.
File:H2A SpecOpsVsHereticElite.png|Two Special Operations Sangheili in combat.
File:HTMCC-H2A SacredIconSpecOps.png|Two Special Operations Sangheili in the [[Quarantine zone (location)|quarantine zone]].
File:H2A SpecOps Sangheili.png|A Special Operations Sangheili on [[Installation 05]].
File:H2A-Spec Ops and Zealot.png|A Special Operations Sangheili and a [[Sangheili Zealot]] on Installation 05. 
</gallery>

===''Halo 5: Guardians''===
<gallery>
File:H5G-WarzoneSangheiliWarrior1.png|A Special Operations Sangheili, as they appear in [[Warzone]]. The same model and colour is used for almost all Sangheili bosses.
</gallery>

===''Halo Infinite''===
<gallery>
File:HINF-Zealot.jpg|Concept art of the Banished Special Operations Sangheili for ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
File:HINF-Specopsconcept.jpg|More finalized concept art of the Spec Ops Elite.
File:HINF Banished-Spec-Ops-Elite.jpg|A render of a Banished Spec Ops Elite.
File:HINF-PurpleElite.jpg|Render of a Banished Special Operations Sangheili for ''Halo Infinite''.
File:HINF Spec Ops 2.png|Frontal view of a Banished Spec Ops Sangheili with an energy sword.
File:HINF Spec Ops RivenGate.png|Profile view of a Banished Spec Ops Sangheili.
File:HINF SpecOpsCloaking.png|A Banished Special Operations Sangheili activating his active camouflage.
File:HINF Banished Spec Ops Elites.png|A group of Banished Special Operations Sangheili.
File:HINF Banished Spec Ops Sangheili close up.png|A Banished Special Operations Sangheili up close.
File:HINF SpecOpsGrenade.png|A Banished Special Operations Sangheili throws a plasma grenade.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Prototype]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''
**''[[Headhunters (story)|Headhunters]]''
**''[[Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
**''[[Warzone]]''
*''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]''
**''[[Hunting Party]]''
*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
**''[[Sacrifice]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo: Outcasts]]''
*''[[Halo: Battle for the Blood-Moon]]''
{{Col-end}}

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

{{Sangheili Ranks}}
{{Warzone bosses}}

[[Category:Covenant ranks]]