Editing Special Operations Officer

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Cleanup}}
{{Unit infobox
|variant=Cov
|image={{tabcontainer|title1=Banished infiltration harness|content1=[[File:HINF Banished Spec-Ops Sangheili.png|300px]]|title2=Covenant combat harness|content2=[[File:H2A Spec Ops Sangheili.png|300px]]|title3=Covenant infiltration harness|content3=[[File:Spec Ops.png|300px]]|title 4=Assault harness|content4=[[File:Sangheili SpecOps 01.png|300px]]}}
|species = [[Sangheili]]
|authority-title=Authority
|authority=[[Special Warfare Group]]
|branch=*[[Covenant Special Operations]]
*[[Fleet of Retribution]] {{c|post-war}}
*[[Legion#Banished|Sangheili mercenary clans]] {{c|post-war}}
**[[Enduring Conviction|Let 'Volir's clan]]
**[[Warriors of Malaston]]
**[[Valorguards of the Chosen]]
**[[Bloodbrave Guardians of Suban]]
**[[Kaepra's Grief]]
|mission=*Special Operations
*Unconventional warfare
*Infiltration 
|affiliation=*[[Covenant]] {{c|formerly}}
*[[Covenant separatists]] {{c|[[Great Schism]]}}
*[[Covenant remnants]]
**[[Banished]]{{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}}
|role=
|size=
|notable=[[Okro 'Vagaduun]]<br>
[[N'tho 'Sraom]]<br>
[[Usze 'Taham]]
}}
{{Quote|Out of darkness, these blades will light our way.|Special Operations 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 organizations, including mercenary work in the [[Banished]] among others.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Banished|Enc22|Page=429}}

==Overview==
{{Main|Covenant Special Operations}}
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}}

==Operational history==
{{Summarize|section}}
===Human-Covenant War===
Special Operations Sangheili were widely utilized by the [[Covenant]] during its [[Human-Covenant War|genocidal campaign]] against the human race. Towards the end of the [[Battle of Meridian]], a team of Special Operations Sangheili and a [[Kig-Yar]] soldier deployed to the surface of the [[Meridian|planet]] using a [[Covenant drop pod]]. The team deployed a [[Kindler]] and are able to find a [[Luminary]], which they proceeded to deliver to the [[High Prophet of Regret|Prophet of Regret]]. The Luminary would later reveal the locations of the Halo rings, the Ark, and a slipspace portal to the Ark found on Earth.<ref name="h2a terminal14">'''Halo 2: Anniversary''', ''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminal 14]]''</ref>

During the pre-invasion of the [[human]] colony world of [[Reach]], the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]] discreetly deployed a team of [[Sangheili Zealot]]s to disable [[Visegrád Relay|one]] of the planet's communication outposts at [[Visegrád]]. When the [[SPARTAN-III]] [[NOBLE Team]] was sent to investigate the communications blackout, they found the entrance locked, with the mechanism flash-fused. While [[Catherine-B320]] attempted to unseal the doorway, the rest of NOBLE defended her from waves of Covenant attackers. A team of Special Operations Sangheili, along with a [[Sangheili General]] was dropped off as one of the final groups of attackers.<ref name="winter">'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Winter Contingency]]''</ref> A squadrom of Special Operations Sangheili were deployed via [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantom]] onto the third flood of [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] [[SWORD Base]] by way of the breached exterior wall. These forces were defeated by the combined efforts of [[SPARTAN-B312]] and [[Emile-A239]].<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[ONI: Sword Base (level)|ONI: Sword Base]]''</ref> Several were also sent in along with a [[Mgalekgolo]] pair to stop [[Jun-A266]] and [[SPARTAN-B312]] from sabotaging of one of the Covenant's [[stealth pylon]]s. These pylons were being used to conceal large scale Covenant troop deployments in the [[Viery Territory]] on the eve of the [[Fall of Reach|invasion of Reach]]. The Covenant forces failed to the Spartans, who reported their discovery to the UNSC.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Nightfall]]''</ref> 

The bridge of the {{Pattern|Ceudar|heavy corvette}} ''[[Ardent Prayer]]'' was crewed mainly by Special Operations Sangheili under the command of [[Shipmaster]] [[Ardo 'Moretumee]]. During [[Operation: UPPERCUT]], the ship was boarded by a team of [[FSS-1000 Sabre]] pilots led by [[SPARTAN-B312]] and [[Jorge-052]]. The strike team eventually entered the bridge, catching the crew unaware. While 'Moretumee and his Special Operations Sangheili defended themselves, they ultimately all died in battle with the UNSC boarders, who then proceeded to carry out their mission, resulting in the destruction of both ''Ardent Prayer'' and the {{Pattern|Sh'wada|supercarrier}} ''[[Long Night of Solace]]''.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]''</ref>

In the later stages of the [[Fall of Reach]], the Covenant began to [[Glassing|glass]] large areas of the planet. [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] [[SWORD Base]] was one of the primary locations to be hit. Much of the base was reduced to rubble and many of the outlying areas were flooded due to the melting ice floes nearby. A team of Special Operations Sangheili was dispatched into the base along with a Sangheili General and a [[Huragok]]. They were in the process of scouring the ruined atrium when they were attacked by [[NOBLE Team]]. Ultimately the Spartans were able to neutralize all Covenant forces in the room.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[The Package]]''</ref> 

During the [[Battle of Installation 04]], a squadron of thirty Special Operations Sangheili were deployed into the human-controlled [[Alpha Base (Installation 04)|Alpha Base]] using a [[Charlie 217|captured UNSC dropship]]. Their objective was to cause chaos among the human ranks so as to allow six [[Dextro Xur-pattern Spirit|Spirits]] containing more Covenant forces to land. Many of them were killed when the landing pad that the Pelican had touched down on was flooded with fuel and set alight. The survivors made it into the lower levels of the base where they killed every human they found, including those in the Control Room. Eventually all Special Operations Sangheili were killed by a fireteam of [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]], with only Special Operations Officer [[Zuka 'Zamamee]] and his [[Unggoy]] assistant [[Yayap]] escaping.<ref name="tf243">'''Halo: The Flood''', Chapter 8, ''page 219'' (2003 paperback); ''page 243'' (2010 paperback)</ref> 

Later in the battle, the [[Flood]] parasite managed to escape containment and soon spread across the surface of the installation. At least [[Brilliant Gift|one]] Covenant Spirit was captured by the Flood. They used the dropship to board the {{Pattern|Mjern|agricultural support ship}} ''[[Infinite Succor]]'' unbeknownst to the rest of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice|fleet]]. When the ship lost communication with the rest of the fleet, [[Supreme Commander]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee assembled a team of Special Operations Sangheili and [[Special Operations Unggoy|Unggoy]] led by [[Special Operations Commander|Commander]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee to retake the ship from what was assumed to be human forces at that point. During the events aboard the ''Infinite Succor'', all members of the Special Operations team were killed or infected by the Flood, leaving 'Vadumee as the sole survivor.<ref name="HGN">'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''', ''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''</ref> The Flood were able to overwhelm the [[CCS-class battlecruiser|cruiser]] ''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]'' which had been holding position near the surface of the installation. A strike team consisting of Special Operations Sangheili and Unggoy were sent in to neutralize the Flood and prepare the ship for immediate departure. Over the course of the battle, many Spirit dropships and [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshees]] were seen deploying Special Operations forces into the cruiser by [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN]] [[John-117]].<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved''', campaign level ''[[Keyes (level)|Keyes]]''</ref> By the time the remaining human forces on the ring stormed the ''Truth and Reconciliation'', the strike team and the Flood had managed to nearly wipe each other out.<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', Chapter 12, ''page 318'' (2003 paperback); ''page 354''(2010 paperback)</ref> Towards the close of the battle, a contingent of Special Operations forces consisting of Sangheili and Unggoy were present on board the crashed [[UNSC Pillar of Autumn|''Pillar of Autumn'']], where they battled against the Flood as well as [[Aggressor Sentinel|Sentinel]] forces. 

After the conclusion of the Battle of Installation 04, the [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-II]] [[John-117|Master Chief]] led a group of survivors from the battle in a boarding effort against the [[Ascendant Justice]], the [[flagship]] of the local Covenant fleet. During his assault on the bridge, the Master Chief fought against a single Special Operations Sangheili. The Covenant warrior nearly killed the Spartan, but the human managed to get the upper hand with the help of [[Avery Johnson|his]] [[Locklear|compatriots]], The Spec Ops Sangheili was grievously wounded and knocked into an escape pod, which the Chief proceeded to fire away from the ship. The fate of this Sangheili is unknown.<ref name="fs96">'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 96'' (2010 edition)</ref> 

Shortly after the Battle of Installation 04, the [[Hierarch|Prophets]] sent a team of Special Operations Sangheili led by Rtas 'Vadumee to assist the newly adorned [[Arbiter]] Thel 'Vadamee in his mission to kill [[Sesa 'Refumee]] and the [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction|heretic forces]] under his command. Despite the unexpected entrance of the [[Flood]] into the battle, the team ultimately completed their mission successfully.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Arbiter (level)|The Arbiter]]''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Oracle (level)|The Oracle]]''</ref> During the [[Battle of Installation 05]], many Special Operations Sangheili were deployed into the [[Quarantine Zone]] via [[Covenant drop pod|drop pods]] and Phantom dropships along with vehicular support in order to assist the Arbiter in acquiring the [[Activation Index|Sacred Icon]] necessary for the Covenant to complete their [[Covenant religion|'Great Journey']].<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Sacred Icon (level)|Sacred Icon]]''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Quarantine Zone]]''</ref>

===Great Schism===
Later in the battle of Installation 05, when the Hierarchs betrayed the Sangheili, [[Great Schism|casting them out]] of the Covenant, many Special Operations Sangheili along with the rest of their species fought against the now [[Jiralhanae]]-led Covenant forces on [[High Charity]].<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]''</ref> Many more Special Operations Sangheili aided Thel 'Vadam in his push through several Jiralhanae-[[Jiralhanae encampment|occupied]] [[Bastion of the Brutes|structures]]. A number of Special Operations Sangheili assisted Thel and [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] in killing the [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]] [[Tartarus]]. While many fell to the Chieftain's [[Fist of Rukt|gravity hammer]], they successfully stopped him from activating the Ring.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Uprising]]''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey (level)|The Great Journey]]''</ref>

Towards the end of the [[Battle of Earth]], the [[Fleet of Retribution]] entered the area above the city of [[Voi]], in pursuit of the Flood-infested [[CCS-class battlecruiser|cruiser]] ''[[Indulgence of Conviction]]''. The ship had managed to break through the Sangheili's quarantine of Installation 05 and ultimately crash-landed in Voi, allowing the Flood to spread onto [[Earth]]. The fleet deployed Special Operations Sangheili to assist [[John-117]] and Thel 'Vadam in destroying the source of the Flood infestation, as well as to locate [[Cortana|something]] in the remains of the cruiser.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref>

===Post-War===
After the war, some Special Operations Sangheili 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}} 

During the [[Battle for Zeta Halo]], [[John-117]] fought a number of these Banished-affiliated Spec Ops Sangheili.{{Ref/Reuse|CFFoundations}} Notably, two Spec Ops Sangheili unsuccessfully attempted to ambush and kill the Master Chief inside the [[Conservatory (location)|Conservatory]].{{Ref/Quest|Id=Conservatory|HI|Connections|Conservatory}} Another pair of Spec Ops Sangheili guarded [[FOB Delta]].{{Ref/Quest|Id=FOB Delta|HI|Connections|FOB Delta}}

==Appearance==
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]]s and [[plasma grenade]]s.

==Trivia==
Banished Spec Ops Elites are referred to as [[Zealots]] in ''Halo Infinite''{{'}}s game files.{{Ref/Reuse|CFFoundations}}

==Gallery==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
===Concept art===
<gallery>
File:Headhunters - Elite concept.png|Concept of the Special Operations Sangheili from the [[Silent Shadow]] wearing a heavily modified [[Infiltration harness]] in ''[[Headhunters (short story)|Headhunters]]''.
File:HR_EliteSpecOps_Concept_2.png|Concept art of a Special Operations Sangheili for ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HR_EliteSpecOps_Concept_1.jpg|Another concept art of a Special Operations Sangheili for ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HR_EliteRanks_Concept.jpg|''Halo: Reach'' concept art for a number of Sangheili ranks, with Spec Ops featured under the name "Infiltrator".
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.
</gallery>

===Screenshots===
<gallery>
File:SpecOps Officer.png|A Special Operations Sangheili in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:SpecOpsElite.jpg|A Special Operations Sangheili with his {{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}} aboard the ''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]'' in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:H2-SpecOps-Elite-Portrait.png|A Special Operations Sangheili wielding an [[Type-1 energy sword|energy sword]] in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2 Elite SpecOps.png|A Spec Ops Sangeili in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2 SpecOps Elite Beam Rifle.jpg|A Special Operations Sangheili with a [[Type-50 particle beam rifle|particle beam rifle]] in ''Halo 2''.
File:Spec-Ops Elites.jpg|A squad of Special Operations Sangheili in a [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom]].
File:Halo 3 Spec Ops Elite.jpg|A Special Operations Sangheili with an [[Assault Harness]] in the [[Battle of Voi]] in ''Halo 3''.
File:H3-SpecOpsSangheili.png|A trio of Special Operations Sangheili in ''Halo 3''.
File:H3-SpecOpsSangheili-ThrowingGrenade.png|A Special Operations Sangheili throwing a plasma grenade at incoming Flood in ''Halo 3''.
File:HTMCC-H3ODST-Specopsbuddies.png|Special Operations Sangheili in the ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'' version of ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' [[Firefight]].
File:HReach - SpecOps Sangheili.png|A Special Operations Sangheili jumping in an attack.
File:Ceaspecops.png|Special Operations Sangheili in ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''.
File:Special Operations Sangheili.png|A Special Operations Sangheili in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:H2A-SpecOpsSangheiliBeamRifle.png|A Special Operations Sangheili with a particle beam rifle in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
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 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]]. 
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.
File:HINF-PurpleElite.jpg|Render of a Banished Special Operations Sangheili for ''Halo Infinite''.
File:HINF Spec Ops 2.png|A Banished Spec Ops mercenary near [[Outpost Tremonius (location)|Outpost Tremonius]].
File:HINF Spec Ops RivenGate.png|A Banished Spec Ops Sangheili at [[Riven Gate (location)|Riven Gate]].
File:HINF Banished-Spec-Ops-Elite.jpg|A render of a Banished Spec Ops Elite.
File:HINF Banished Spec Ops Elites.png|A pair of Banished Special Operations Sangheili.
File:HINF Banished Spec Ops Sangheili close up.png|A Banished Spec Ops Sangheili up close.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[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 - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Headhunters (short story)|Headhunters]]''
**''[[Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[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]]''

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

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

[[Category:Covenant ranks]]