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Always in the forefront of technology, M.A.R.S.'s* technicians have developed methods for inserting troops into totally inaccessible locations. Trans Atmospheric Rapid Global Assault Troopers are deployed into orbit from a shuttle, wearing self-contained Trans Atmospheric bio-system suits which are anti-implosion, armored, and heat shielding and feature two thigh-mounted, quick draw pistol holsters. T.A.R.G.A.T.s also wear a helmet with folding shield and are "dropped" strapped to ceramic composite heat shields that provides coolant safety during atmospheric re-entry and double as hang gliders and weapons platforms afterwards. Their re-entry over their targets could easily be mistaken for a meteor shower until they open fire.
T.A.R.G.A.T.s are quite formidable as assault troopers with exceptional firepower capabilities, but their psychological impact on defending troops is their strongest weapon. Troops are very reluctant to engage an enemy that literally enters battle as a human meteor. It is apparent that Destro favors the use of psychological warfare with his airborne troopers with the addition of the Iron Anvils, a low-atmosphere insertion extension of T.A.R.G.A.T.s.
In 1991, contracted Cobra Astro-Vipers began to maintain the T.A.R.G.A.T. deployment shuttles for the Iron Grenadiers in Brazil.
Beginning in 1993, in return for a discounted rate on the Astro-Viper contracts and an excellent maintenance record, Destro contracted non-Iron Grenadier-designated T.A.R.G.A.T.s to Cobra for space operations against G.I. Joe. Also in 1993 and 1994, Cobra dispatched specially recruited Aero-Vipers, Alley Vipers, B.A.T.s, Crimson Guards, Eels, Night Creepers, and Officers that utilized the Crimson Guard Immortal helmet and T.A.R.G.A.T. uniform as part of their equipment. In 1996, possibly as a preliminary test deployment for Cobra, Cobra-contracted T.A.R.G.A.T.s were deployed in India against unofficial G.I. Joe operatives Psyche-Out (Sonic Fighters), Rock & Roll (Sonic Fighters), Sci-Fi, and Roadblock. These T.A.R.G.A.T. deployments were in addition to the Evader and Razorback vehicle deployments to the country.
In 1998 and 1999, M.A.R.S.* contracted the use of the T.A.R.G.A.T. helmet to the India-based para-military operative Street Hawk. Street Hawk's later uniform in 2000 also utilized the torso portion of the T.A.R.G.A.T.'s uniform in addition to the helmet. Street Hawk is in no way affiliated with the Iron Grenadiers or Cobra.
* Military Armaments Research System
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