The tactical application of helicopters and drones by the U.S. military in the "Absolute Determination" raid operation

1. At the very beginning of 2026, the "King of Knowing" pulled off a big stunt! In the early morning of January 3, 2026, the U.S. military launched a city raid operation codenamed "Absolute Resolve". Approximately 150 aircraft took off from 20 air bases and launched air strikes on multiple targets in Venezuela, "kidnapping" Venezuelan President Maduro. This nighttime raid was commanded by the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command and specifically executed by Delta Force. Supported by a tightly coordinated aviation formation, the U.S. military successfully penetrated the air defense system of the Venezuelan capital and completed the capture of high-value targets without triggering a large-scale military response, highlighting the tactical characteristics of three-dimensional infiltration and precision strikes in modern special operations.

2.this military operation only took a few hours from start to finish. What is this tactic called? It's called "sneaking across Yinping". "A large army pressing on the border" is a feint, while "directly seizing the four-wheeled vehicle" is the real intention.

3. The main aircraft models participating in the "Absolute Determination" operation are as follows:
(1) MH-47G "Chinook": Heavy air support platform
The MH-47G "Chinook" is a heavy transport helicopter of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, designed specifically for long-range infiltration and evacuation missions in hostile environments. Equipped with terrain-following radar, digital flight systems, and infrared sensors, this aircraft is capable of conducting operations at night. In this operation to capture Maduro, the MH-47G was responsible for delivering the main assault team of Delta Force to the target area. The assault队员 descended via fast-roping or landed on the rooftops near the Fort Tiuna military base for airdrop. These "Chinook" helicopters not only transported personnel but also carried breaching tools, communication equipment, and gear necessary for the safe evacuation of high-value targets. After the assault team was deployed, the MH-47G helicopters either hovered in the tactical patrol area or withdrew to cover positions, ready to quickly evacuate the assault team and captured personnel at any time.

(2)MH-60M "Black Hawk": A multi-role medium helicopter. The MH-60M "Black Hawk" is a multi-purpose helicopter of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, with excellent maneuverability and survivability. In this operation, the MH-60M was mainly responsible for supporting the secondary assault forces, most likely deploying quick reaction teams and ensuring the perimeter security of the target area; its small size and flexible maneuverability enabled it to navigate through the urban terrain of Caracas, deploying combat personnel on adjacent rooftops or drop zones to block the reinforcement of the Venezuelan military. In addition, the MH-60M most likely also acted as an airborne command and control center, allowing mission commanders to coordinate multiple combat units in real-time. One or more MH-60Ms may have been designated for casualty evacuation, equipped with on-board medical personnel and medical kits to deal with possible hostile actions during the evacuation phase.

(3)MH-60M DAP Helicopter: Fire Support Platform
The MH-60M DAP is an armed version of the "Black Hawk" helicopter, specifically designed for direct fire support. It is equipped with weapons such as a 30mm chain gun, M134 minigun, and rocket launchers. The DAP retains all the advanced avionics and survival systems of the standard MH-60M but sacrifices troop-carrying capacity for powerful firepower, making it a dedicated strike platform capable of destroying enemy forces, vehicles, and fortifications in high-intensity missions.

During the raid on Maduro's residence, the MH-60 DAP helicopters provided direct cover and fire suppression to protect the main assault team. Intelligence gathered before the raid may have identified rooftop sentries, air defense positions, and mobile security teams in the area. The DAP helicopters precisely struck these threats, clearing a path for the MH-47G and MH-60M helicopters to safely enter the target area.

(4)MH-6M "Little Bird": Lightweight High-Speed Helicopter
The MH-6M "Little Bird" is the most lightweight and agile helicopter in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, designed specifically for the rapid and low-profile infiltration of small special operations teams. Its compact size allows it to take off and land in confined spaces such as rooftops, alleyways, or courtyards. Despite having relatively thin armor, its high maneuverability and low-noise characteristics make it ideal for covert urban missions, especially suitable for supporting precision operations and time-critical tasks. In this mission, the MH-6M helicopters were likely used to deploy scouts and assault teams to extremely narrow urban landing zones near Maduro's residence. These helicopters may also have served as visual confirmation platforms, conducting final aerial surveillance of the target before the main attack to verify troop positions and landing conditions. They can take off and land in areas inaccessible to large aircraft, enabling assault forces to flexibly approach the target from multiple angles simultaneously.

(5)MQ-1C "Gray Eagle": Unmanned Aerial Surveillance
The MQ-1C "Gray Eagle" unmanned aerial vehicle provided continuous Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) support during the operation. Its electro-optical/infrared sensors and signals intelligence systems accurately identified target movements before the operation and tracked Venezuelan military deployments in real-time during the operation, providing the special operations formation with complete battlefield situational awareness. In the hours before and after the raid, the "Gray Eagle" drones likely monitored Maduro's movements, confirmed his presence at the target location, and identified the of Venezuelan military forces near the capital. They also transmitted critical data to pilots and leadership, aiding in coordinating operation timings, tracking reinforcement units, and synchronizing interactions between air and ground forces. Their continuous surveillance was crucial for minimizing unexpected incidents during the raid and enhancing operational situational awareness. This operation was not only a tactical surprise attack by special forces but also a concentrated demonstration of systematic special aviation capabilities.

(6)RQ-170 "Sentinel" stealth drone: In this military operation, a mysterious stealth equipment played a key role - at least one, possibly two U.S. Air Force RQ-170 "Sentinel" stealth drones quietly participated. With their unique reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities, they provided core support for the operation, becoming the "silent eyes" for the U.S. military to penetrate Venezuela's air defense system and accurately lock onto targets.

4. To summarize: From the strategic projection of the MH-47G to the micro-domain intervention of the "Little Bird" helicopter, from the fire suppression of the MH-60M DAP to the全域感知 (all-domain awareness) of the "Gray Eagle" drone, an air combat system covering the entire process of infiltration, assault, support, and evacuation has been built. Their ability to perform personnel deployment, protection, and evacuation missions in intense confrontation and densely populated urban environments highlights the important position of helicopter operations in the global strategy of the U.S. military.

5. At present, the international community generally holds a questioning attitude towards this operation codenamed "Absolute Resolve", believing that it violates international law norms such as the UN Charter and poses new challenges to the post-war international system and order, even though the "Dong Wang" (a nickname, possibly referring to a specific person) packaged it as a domestic "law enforcement operation".