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{{Era|H1|H2|H3|TF}}
{{Status|Canon}}
'''Covenant Special Operations''' is a [[Covenant]] military branch dedicated to special forces and the execution of [[special operations|specialized operations]].
[[File:H2A - SpecOps deployed.jpg|thumb|300px|Covenant Special Operations soldiers deployed at the [[Threshold gas mine]].]]
'''Special Operations''' ('''SpecOps''') was the primary division of the [[Covenant]] [[Special Warfare Group]] (SWG).{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=242}} They served in [[Special operations|specialized operations]] roles, and were generally tasked with unconventional warfare{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Book|Id=EVG59|EVG|Page=59}} alongside stealth infiltration and classified missions personally comissioned by a [[San'Shyuum]] official.{{Ref/Game|Id=LibraryElite|CEA|Library (feature)|Library|Detail=Spec Ops Elite}}


==Introduction==
==Overview==
Covenant Special Operations is a subgroup of the Covenant [[Special Warfare Group]]. Its personnel are typically dispatched on covert and high-risk operations<ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', ''[[The Heretic (Level)]]''</ref><ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', ''[[Sacred Icon (Level)]]''</ref>, although they are also seen as part of routine forces on low-risk sentry or defense operations as well<ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', ''[[Gravemind (Level)]]''</ref>. It is highly probable that, since it was run by Elites, it became part of the [[Separatist]] faction after the [[Great Schism]], whereas the [[Loyalist]] didn't replace such division.
[[File:H3 CovenantDropPod Exiting.jpg|300px|thumb|Separatist SpecOps Officers deploying during the [[Battle of Voi]].]]
===Mission===
Special Operations worked within SWG to conduct unconventional warfare initiatives, by way of stealth and infiltration. Their units typically worked alongside conventional [[Covenant military]] forces to infiltrate enemy fortifications and conduct advance reconnaissance, with their primary goals being to prevent an enemy force from responding to attack in as discreet and efficient a manner possible.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG59}} However, SpecOps units may also work in the field in total isolation for long periods of time; these missions are often done via the direct orders of a [[Hierarchs|Hierarch]]{{Ref/Reuse|LibraryElite}} and are extremely classified.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG59}} When necessary, SpecOps forces may also be used to conduct guerilla warfare behind enemy lines or even conduct assassinations on high-value targets.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG59}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc11|Enc11|Page=133}}


==Castes==
Although Special Operations serve in a broadly similar capacity to [[Stealth Sangheili|Stealth]] units, they are not one and the same. Stealth Sangheili units work as an offshoot of the SpecOps concept, and are instead organised under Covenant [[Fleet Security]], with units spread throughout the mainline Covenant military to carry out standard battlefield deployments. By comparison, SpecOps units are independent strike teams sent on missions with acute and specific objects, without wider application for the rest of the military.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}} Nonetheless, SpecOps deployments often worked closely alongside both [[Fleet Security]] and [[Home Security]].{{Ref/Reuse|EVG59}}


There are several different castes and ranks of Covenant Special Operations personnel. These two races of Covenant elected for Special Operations duty are [[Elite]]s and [[Grunt]]s:
Even as of [[2558]], information about Special Operations was in scarce supply to the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]], beyond the knowledge that they were considered the most proficient tactical units within the Covenant military forces. As such, [[United Nations Space Command]] directives dictate that all encounters with them by [[human]] military forces should be logged with [[UNSC High Command]].{{Ref/Book|OSFM|Page=152}}


*[[Special Operations Commander]]<ref>''[[The Official Halo 2 Strategy Guide]]'', page 121</ref>
===Personnel===
*[[Special Operations Officer]]<ref>''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', page 210</ref>
Covenant Special Operations were, much akin to the rest of the military, traditionally dominated by [[Sangheili]]{{Ref/Reuse|LibraryElite}} - who served as the division's sole commanders.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG59}} However, while the Sangheili did dominate role they were not the exclusive personnel of the unit; other species of the Covenant were permitted to serve in the SpecOps group, though always in subordinate roles under Sangheili commanders.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG59}} The [[Unggoy]] were rarely able to join SpecOps detachments at the discretion of individual commanders. However, it was more common for Unggoy to be promoted to SpecOps roles not of their own volition; when a Sangheili warrior was promoted into the ranks of SpecOps their cadre of Unggoy underlings would typically join them too.{{Ref/Game|Id=LibraryGrunt|CEA|Library (feature)|Library|Detail=Spec Ops Grunt}}
*[[Special Operations Elite]]<ref>''[[The Official Halo 2 Strategy Guide]]'', page 43</ref>
*[[Special Operations Grunt]]<ref>''[[The Official Halo 2 Strategy Guide]]'', page 41</ref>


However, even though Special Operations Elites are included in the Covenant Special Operations group, the closely related [[Stealth Elite]]s, who also possess the equipment to facilitate [[Active Camouflage]], though weaker, aren't related to the Covenant Special Operations Division (CSOP).
==Organization==
Sangheili serving in SpecOps served under the title of [[Special Operations Officer]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}}{{Ref/Novel|HTF|Chapter=8}} For placement in SpecOps strike teams, these warriors must have proven themselves in both close-quarters combat and in skills of [[Sniper|marksmanship]].{{Ref/Reuse|LibraryElite}} SpecOps strike teams would be commanded by a [[Commander (Covenant)|commander]], with a [[sub-commander]] serving as their aide.{{Ref/Comic|HGN|Story=The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor}}


{{Elite Ranks}}
Within Special Operations, a number of specialised sub-units existed. These units would generally be deployed as a ''[[kai'd]]'' - a small unit or group organised by a variety of circumstantial attributes. Such units employed in such a manner included the [[Silent Shadow]], an all-Sangheili order who worked as elite assassins. More notoriously within SpecOps circles were the [[Bloodstars]]; a particular order led by [[Jiralhanae]] who gained influence within the Covenant in the opening years of the [[Human-Covenant War]] due to their singular mission focus - the elimination of [[human]]ity's [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-II]] supersoldiers. The Bloodstars often employed a variety of specialists including members of the Silent Shadow.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} Select highly skilled Silent Shadow personnel took on the title of [[First Blade]].{{Ref/Novel|HSS|Chapter=9}}{{Ref/Comic|HTfS|Story=Hunting Party}}


===Notable members===
*Special Operations Commander [[Rtas 'Vadumee]]
*Special Operations Sub-Commander [[Bero 'Kusovai]]
*Special Operations Officer [[Zuka 'Zamamee]]
*Special Operations Officer [[Huki 'Umamee]]
*Special Operations Officer [[Usze 'Taham]]
*Special Operations Officer [[N'tho 'Sraom]]
*Special Operations Unggoy [[Yayap]]
*First Blade [[Resa 'Azavayl]]
*First Blade [[Tel 'Szatulai]]


{{Grunt Ranks}}
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:HCE - CovSpecOps.jpg|A Special Operations lance in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.
File:HGN SpecOpsTeam.png|A Special Operations unit in ''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''.
File:Spec Ops Lance2.jpg|A Special Operations Lance in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:Spec Ops deployment.jpg|Special Operations soldiers being deployed at the [[Threshold gas mine|Gas Mine]] above [[Threshold]].
File:HEvol - Elite SpecOps Sword.png|Members of the Silent Shadow in active camouflage capture a SPARTAN-III, [[Jonah-B283]].
File:File-BOB - SpecOps.jpg|A Special Operations Sangheili in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
File:H2A-Rtas&Co.jpg|[[Rtas 'Vadum]], a Covenant [[Commander (Covenant)|Commander]] in the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]], encouraging his warriors before battle.
File:H2A-SpecOpsBros.png|A Special Operations Unggoy with a Special Operations Sangheili.
File:SSconfronts.png|The Silent Shadow confronts Atriox.
</gallery>


== References ==
==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: Ground Command]]''
*''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]''
**''[[Hunting Party]]''
*''[[Halo: The Rubicon Protocol]]'' {{Mo}}


<references/>
== Sources ==
{{Ref/Sources}}


 
[[Category:Covenant military]]
[[Category:Ranks]]
[[Category:The Covenant]]

Latest revision as of 08:39, October 20, 2024

Covenant Special Operations soldiers deployed at the Threshold gas mine.

Special Operations (SpecOps) was the primary division of the Covenant Special Warfare Group (SWG).[1] They served in specialized operations roles, and were generally tasked with unconventional warfare[1][2] alongside stealth infiltration and classified missions personally comissioned by a San'Shyuum official.[3]

Overview[edit]

Separatist SpecOps Officers deploying during the Battle of Voi.

Mission[edit]

Special Operations worked within SWG to conduct unconventional warfare initiatives, by way of stealth and infiltration. Their units typically worked alongside conventional Covenant military forces to infiltrate enemy fortifications and conduct advance reconnaissance, with their primary goals being to prevent an enemy force from responding to attack in as discreet and efficient a manner possible.[1][2] However, SpecOps units may also work in the field in total isolation for long periods of time; these missions are often done via the direct orders of a Hierarch[3] and are extremely classified.[1][2] When necessary, SpecOps forces may also be used to conduct guerilla warfare behind enemy lines or even conduct assassinations on high-value targets.[1][2][4]

Although Special Operations serve in a broadly similar capacity to Stealth units, they are not one and the same. Stealth Sangheili units work as an offshoot of the SpecOps concept, and are instead organised under Covenant Fleet Security, with units spread throughout the mainline Covenant military to carry out standard battlefield deployments. By comparison, SpecOps units are independent strike teams sent on missions with acute and specific objects, without wider application for the rest of the military.[4] Nonetheless, SpecOps deployments often worked closely alongside both Fleet Security and Home Security.[2]

Even as of 2558, information about Special Operations was in scarce supply to the Office of Naval Intelligence, beyond the knowledge that they were considered the most proficient tactical units within the Covenant military forces. As such, United Nations Space Command directives dictate that all encounters with them by human military forces should be logged with UNSC High Command.[5]

Personnel[edit]

Covenant Special Operations were, much akin to the rest of the military, traditionally dominated by Sangheili[3] - who served as the division's sole commanders.[2] However, while the Sangheili did dominate role they were not the exclusive personnel of the unit; other species of the Covenant were permitted to serve in the SpecOps group, though always in subordinate roles under Sangheili commanders.[2] The Unggoy were rarely able to join SpecOps detachments at the discretion of individual commanders. However, it was more common for Unggoy to be promoted to SpecOps roles not of their own volition; when a Sangheili warrior was promoted into the ranks of SpecOps their cadre of Unggoy underlings would typically join them too.[6]

Organization[edit]

Sangheili serving in SpecOps served under the title of Special Operations Officer.[4][7] For placement in SpecOps strike teams, these warriors must have proven themselves in both close-quarters combat and in skills of marksmanship.[3] SpecOps strike teams would be commanded by a commander, with a sub-commander serving as their aide.[8]

Within Special Operations, a number of specialised sub-units existed. These units would generally be deployed as a kai'd - a small unit or group organised by a variety of circumstantial attributes. Such units employed in such a manner included the Silent Shadow, an all-Sangheili order who worked as elite assassins. More notoriously within SpecOps circles were the Bloodstars; a particular order led by Jiralhanae who gained influence within the Covenant in the opening years of the Human-Covenant War due to their singular mission focus - the elimination of humanity's SPARTAN-II supersoldiers. The Bloodstars often employed a variety of specialists including members of the Silent Shadow.[1] Select highly skilled Silent Shadow personnel took on the title of First Blade.[9][10]

Notable members[edit]

Gallery[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 242
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 59
  3. ^ a b c d Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Library: Spec Ops Elite
  4. ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 133
  5. ^ Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual, page 152
  6. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Library: Spec Ops Grunt
  7. ^ Halo: The Flood, chapter 8
  8. ^ Halo Graphic Novel - The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor
  9. ^ Halo: Silent Storm, chapter 9
  10. ^ Halo: Tales from Slipspace - Hunting Party
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