Modern War Institute Analyzing Operation Absolute Resolve
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Jan 13, 2026 Liam Collins, a retired U.S. Army Special Forces colonel and expert in operational intelligence, teams up with Jimmy Blackmon, a veteran helicopter aviator, to dissect the U.S. raid that captured Nicolás Maduro. They discuss the extensive planning and coordination required for such a complex mission, with insights into aviation tactics and the challenges of low-level flight. The duo emphasizes the critical role of intelligence in targeting and how evolving technologies like drones shape modern operations, showcasing the intricacies of military strategy in real-time.
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Raid Shows Mature Joint Strike Capability
- Operation Absolute Resolve reflects a matured U.S. capability to execute complex leader-capture raids abroad.
- Technology, training, and long-term rehearsal made this kind of joint raid feasible without large-scale prior hostilities.
Secrecy And Long Rehearsal Behind Success
- Jimmy Blackmon recalled being struck by the long planning and secrecy behind the raid.
- He emphasized extensive pattern-of-life collection and rehearsals over months prior to execution.
Iteration, Not Just Training, Created Mastery
- The raid builds on decades of iteration from Desert One to Neptune Spear and Afghan operations.
- Continuous wartime practice, not just training, was key to perfecting find-fix-finish cycles.