Fourth Echelon, also known as 4th Echelon or 4E, is a black operations unit that is described as "blacker than black" operations unit. They specialize in counter-terrorism, as well as counter-intelligence operations.
They were put into service by President Patricia Caldwell with the sole mandate to eradicate terrorist and intelligence threats to the American government and its interests.
History
Created shortly after the foiled assassination attempt on the then President Patricia Caldwell by Third Echelon Commanding Officer Thomas Jeffery Reed.
- Main article: 4th Echelon
Known Operations
Operation: Watchman (2019)
Sam Fisher (call-sign, Matchwood) underwent a joint operation with a Ghost Recon team code-name Kingslayer led by Major Anthony Perryman (call-sign, Nomad) in the La Cruz province in Bolivia to retrieve blue-chip company Skell Technology's highly sensitive data from a rogue CIA officer. Shortly after completing a loose end in Bolivia while fighting against La Unidad, Fourth Echelon is tasked by the Joint Chiefs of Staff with the recovery of stolen nuclear components or devices.
Operation: Checkmate (2025)
Fourth Echelon, in collaboration with Paladin Nine Security and remnants of the 32 male and female Ghost unit under Nomad's leadership, oversaw a covert operation on the island of Auroa; home to Skell Tech. Whilst Victor Coste was ostensibly working in concert with another PMC known as Sentinel Corporation Security Services, its true mission was to investigate an individual known as "The Strategist" who was responsible for the kidnappings of military specialists around the globe for an autonomous drone program known as Project CLAW, with Nomad's teammate Midas as one of them captured by Sentinel.
The Strategist is revealed to be Leon Fairrow, who is the co-founder of an international arms dealing company named Lomax-Fairrow Industries, alongside Republican Senator Michael Lomax. Sam (call-sign, DeepBlue) and Nomad work together to capture Fairrow and Sam, along with Coste, departs Auroa on Paladin while Nomad took the wounded Midas to the Homesteaders' headquarters Erewhon.
Gear
Trivia
Other than the C-147B Paladin, they also have the Blacklist helicopter on the island.