I wondered why they didn't try to rescue the captured reporter...

[DaveBB]

But the U.S. did try to rescue him.  http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/21/world/middleeast/us-commandos-tried-to-rescue-foley-and-other-hostages.html 

Anyone have any educated guesses on this one?  Probably an east coast SEAL team would be my guess.  It's just a shame that the hostages weren't at the location.  Being a prisoner of ISIS is about one of the worst fates I could imagine. 

[SmokinLoon]

SEALs?  I doubt it.  Respectfully, reporters are not high valued property.  The military isnt going to send SEALs to rescue reporters, at least I doubt it.

CIA may try something but only if these reporters have highly critical information to be mined. Otherwise, weigh the risks with the rewards.  I'd be willing to bet that the best chance of those reporters being freed would have been at the hands of local militia not friendly to the ISIS wack jobs.   

[Tinkles]

This will end well. 

[Masherbrum]

The funny thing about shades accounts are that they are very predictable.

[DaveBB]

In a rare move Wednesday, the Pentagon revealed that U.S. special forces had attempted to rescue hostages held by Islamic State, including Foley, earlier this summer. Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said in a statement that the mission had targeted a "captor network" inside the militant group, and included air and ground elements, but was unable to locate the hostages.

Who else specializes in hostage rescue?  It had to be SEALS.

[BuckShot]

The article says it was "delta force commandos." I don't think that is synonymous with seals, is it?

[GScholz]

DEVGRU (or whatever they're calling themselves these days) out of Afghanistan, Pakistan or Iraq would be my guess.

[SmokinLoon]

Who else specializes in hostage rescue?  It had to be SEALS.

There are others that train more heavily in hostage rescue and less in the "kick ass" department.  Granted, the SEALs are no slouch in that department, but for reporters? I doubt it. I see more this being more CIA/Delta Force stuff.  Just a hunch.

[-ammo-]

SEALs?  I doubt it.  Respectfully, reporters are not high valued property.  The military isnt going to send SEALs to rescue reporters, at least I doubt it.

My understanding is it was the 1/10 out of Stuttgart (http://www.soc.mil/USASFC/Groups/10th/10thSFG(A).html).  Don't ask me how I know that.

But a point I would like to make to counter your thought is - whether it's a civilian, military, or contractor; if it is deemed a necessary risk to rescue, the Op almost always have an SF element to it.

[-ammo-]

Who else specializes in hostage rescue?  It had to be SEALS.

All Services have a SF element.  USAF: Pararescue; USA: Delta, Rangers, Green Beret; USN: SEAL; USMC: MARSOC

[DaveBB]

There are still two more American hostages.  I am actually glad to see that our administration is willing to attempt to rescue any American who gets captured.  I was listening to NPR on the way home, and France and Italy both pay ransoms for their citizens.  The news report went on to say that this is the main source of funding for Al Queda and similar groups.

[Tec]

All Services have a SF element.  USAF: Pararescue;

Can't forget the Combat Controllers!   

[DaveBB]

Wow, even the Coast Guard has Special Forces:

U.S. Coast Guard Deployable Specialized Forces: D.O.G. - Deployable Operations Group

I have been asked by a few future Coast Guardsmen about the new fitness test utilized by DOG. First of all, I had to figure out what DOG was. After some research, the good news is that the fitness test is very similar to law enforcement fitness tests used by many federal and local police agencies. Also, DOG stands for Deployable Operations Group (DOG) and is considered the Coast Guard Special Ops Team. After September 11, 2001, the Coast Guard became part of Homeland Security and developed the DOG in order to establish a single command authority to rapidly provide the Coast Guard, DHS, DoD, DoJ and other interagency operational commanders adaptive force packages drawn from the U.S. Coast Guard's deployable specialized force units.

These six units, under a single command, create an organized quick reaction force that can be deployed to handle natural disasters, environmental catastrophes, terrorism and other threats to the United States and the world. The groups that are under DOG are the following:

MSRT -- Maritime Security Response Team

The premiere counter--terrorism teams of DOG are interoperable with DOD Special Operations Forces with port security, maritime interdiction, and other high threat events.

MSST -- Maritime Safety and Security Teams

Established in 2002, these tier 1 forces are anti terrorism and port security teams who can operate domestically as well as internationally. The MSSTs execute Coastal Security operations (enforce security zones, port state control boardings, protection of military out loads and major marine events, augment shore side security at waterfront facilities, detect WMD weapons/agents, and participate in port level anti-terrorism exercises.

NCWS -- Naval Coastal Warfare Squadrons

These Coast Guard units are part of an interoperable force and part of the Department of Defense international and domestic security. They provide anti-terrorism / force protection for forward deployed base camps and ports around the world where needed.

PSU -- Port Security Units

These units are integrated and interoperable and deploy nationally as well as internationally in support the Department of Defense port security. They can deploy within 24 hours.

NSF -- National Strike Force

These Coast Guard are immediate action teams and deploy to deal with HAZMAT, CHEM / BIO environmental disasters.

TACLET -- TACtical Law Enforcement Teams

Provide maritime drug interdiction and well as maritime interception domestically as well as where requested by the Department of Defense. Also they conduct training for foreign Navy and foreign Coast Guard.

[Flench]

Those hostages are just s out of luck . This is not going to go well .

[DaveBB]

Heard on the radio today it was Seal Team Six and Delta Force that assaulted an abandoned refinery in Syria.  They killed some terrorists, but no hostages were there.  Also, it turns out that ISIS/ISIL has 30 hostages, not 3 like I said earlier.  Things are heating up....