(SQAUK) — In an exclusive and candid interview on the Shawn Ryan Show, Delta Force operator Chris VanSant divulged the intricate details of the mission that eventually led to Saddam Hussin’s capture. Speaking on a YouTube channel dedicated to military history and analysis, the VanSant shared the untold stories and behind-the-scenes strategies that culminated in the historic raid.

The mission, which occurred on October 31, 2003 (Halloween), was a testament to meticulous planning and intelligence gathering. The operator explained that the mission’s success was a result of the powerful combination of high-tech surveillance and human intelligence, which led to the identification of Saddam Hussein’s ‘golden ticket,’ Mohammed Ibrahim Omar al-Musslit. His capture by U.S. forces provided the crucial intelligence that led to Saddam Hussein’s hiding place, ultimately resulting in Hussein’s capture on December 13, 2003, in an underground hideout near Tikrit, Iraq.

Upon reaching the site, the team encountered unforeseen challenges when breaching the door. The operator vividly described the tense moments leading up to the raid and how he had to pull a pistol on a man who unexpectedly opened the door as VanSant was placing a breaching charge. The team uncovered a man lying flat underneath a bed in the back room. That man turned out to be Omar al-Musslit, the Golden Ticket.