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of command are very narrow to bypass all bureaucratic channels that can slow reaction
times. To achieve this high level of professionalism and specific expertise takes time,
resources, and equipment, not usually encountered in a standard military outfit.
Furthermore, to combine such unique individuals into one cohesive unit that can operate
as a whole on a specific mission takes great time and resources.
The success criteria of any hostage rescue operation can vary depending on the
operation and the uniqueness of the incident. For our purposes,
success for the hostage
rescue operation is defined by these three specific conditions:
(1) The safe rescue of all hostages alive
(2) Minimal damage to the rescue force’s personnel or equipment (any casualties
should be restricted to the terrorists)
(3) The politico-military ramifications at the completion of the operation do not
outweigh the risks involved in launching the rescue
Due to the criticality and sensitivity of hostage
rescue operations, whatever the
situation might be, the overall responsibility for absolute
command and control should
rest with the political leadership from start to finish. They must decide whether to go
ahead and conduct the rescue. They must dictate the constraints and limits for any
military operations. They must also approve the final and detailed plan for the
operations. They must decide the abort criteria in advance and any deviations from the
plan. Finally, they must be in constant contact with the task force, in case it needs to
make timely interventions according to new developments (Gazit, 1981, pp. 133-134).
Hostage rescue operations, for the most part, can be broken down into three major
phases: Phase I, the
planning
,
preparation
, and
rehearsals
; Phase II, the
approach
and
assault
; and Phase III, the
post assault
. These phases vary depending on the type of
hostage scenario;
barricaded hostage takers, hostage takers out in an open area or in a
hijacked plane, or a lone suicide terrorist, but essentially remain the same throughout.