The HRT, along with the Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU), field SWAT teams, and the Tactical Helicopter Unit (THU), was founded in 1982 by Danny Coulson, former Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI, and completed its final certification exercise in October 1983.
In 1982, after a rise through the ranks of the FBI, Coulson was assigned to create the Hostage Rescue Team (HRT). The HRT, along with the Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU), field SWAT teams, and the Tactical Helicopter Unit (THU), comprises the Tactical Section of the FBI's Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG). The Hostage Rescue Team was founded in 1982 by Danny Coulson, former Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI, and completed its final certification exercise in October 1983. Danny Coulson (born June 29, 1941) is a former Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI. 
