Special Operations Officer

The Special Operations Sangheili is a Covenant Sangheili rank. It is the lowest rank in the Covenant Special Operations branch, superseded by a Special Operations Officer Sangheili.

Description
Special Operations Sangheili are members of the Covenant Special Operations branch of the Covenant Special Warfare Group. Sangheili of this rank are extremely skilled warriors and are sent in to accomplish some of the most dangerous and difficult missions.

Operational history
Special Operations Sangheili, alongside Special Operations Unggoy were seen late in the Battle of Installation 04. They were used in an (unsuccessful) attempt to retake the Truth and Reconciliation from the Flood. They were also used to guard the crashed UNSC ship The Pillar of Autumn. In the final hours of the battle, the Spec Ops Sangheili occupying the Autumn battled against both Flood and Sentinels.

Later, Spec Ops Sangheili played prominent roles in the Battle of the Gas Mine and the subsequent Battle of Installation 05, aiding Thel 'Vadam in his mission to retrieve the Index and then later aiding Thel 'Vadam in retaking the Jiralhanae Encampment on Installation 05. They then greatly helped in killing Tartarus in Installation 05's Control Room. In the Battle of Earth, they were seen assisting John-117 and the Arbiter in destroying the source of the Flood infestation in Voi.

Physical appearance
In Halo: Combat Evolved, Special Operations Sangheili are clad in jet-black, but wear purple/steel armor in Halo 2, Halo 3, and Halo: Reach. They are similar to Stealth Sangheili, as they both possess Active Camouflage technology. However, the two are different and should not be confused: Stealth Sangheili have gray/brown armor that is not shielded, and they are permanently cloaked until they are killed, whereas Special Operations Sangheili have purple/black armor that is shielded, but their Active Camouflage only remains active if the user doesn't fire or get hit by enemy fire.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Combat Evolved
 * Halo 2
 * Halo 3
 * Halo: Reach
 * Halo Legends
 * Prototype