HRT operators consult a map during a night exercise in Quantico, Virginia, 2012. The FBI Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) is the counter-terrorism and hostage rescue unit of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation. The HRT is trained to rescue American citizens and allies who are held hostage by hostile forces, usually terrorists and/or criminals. The HRT commonly functions as a high-level national SWAT team in extremely sensitive or dangerous situations. Today, it is part of the Tactical Support Branch of the FBI's Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG) and is based at the FBI Academy at the Quantico Marine Corps Base, in Virginia. The HRT's capabilities are distinguished because the HRT operators (assault and sniper teams) serve full-time and train daily. HRT operators are trained commandos on par with Department of Defense special operations units.