Rare Stealth Drone Deployment Supports US Military Mission in Venezuela

A US Air Force RQ-170 Sentinel was reportedly deployed as part of Operation Absolute Resolve, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026. According to General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, months of intelligence preparation led to the successful mission. The operation involved over 150 aircraft and elite Army Delta Force commandos, with the RQ-170 providing real-time situational awareness to support special operations forces. AeroTime reports that the Sentinel’s involvement aligns with its tightly controlled operational profile, with public sightings remaining exceptionally rare.