Covert mission
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A covert mission is an action taken, normally as part of a covert operation, that is so planned and executed as to conceal the identity of the sponsor.
From The U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms Joint Publication JP1-02 dated 05 January 2007:
Covert Operation: An operation that is so planned and executed as to conceal the identity of or permit plausible denial by the sponsor. A covert operation differs from a clandestine operation in that emphasis is placed on concealment of identity of sponsor rather than on concealment of the operation.
Comments: This definition is accepted by all U.S. intelligence and military groups, including the Special Operations Command. It is accepted (and in fact borrowed from) U.K. terminology, and is also recognized by all NATO allies.
Basically, a covert operation is one in which the operation may become known to the enemy or the world, but the responsible parties cannot be traced, or at worst proven.
"Covert" is often confused both within and outside the military community with the word "stealthy". Stealth and secrecy are desired characteristics of most military planning and in the approach to targets. It provides the element of surprise and reduces resistance. But stealth is not covertness, and covertness is not stealth.
