XOF

XOF was offically a counter terrorism unit for the CIA but later became a proxy organization for Cipher that existed from the 1960s to 1980s. During this time, they were led by a heavily scarred man known by the codename of "Skull Face." The group's logo utilized an inverted image of the fox that was used by the (then defunct) FOX Unit.

History
XOF was involved in the imprisonment of the former child soldier Chico at Camp Omega, prompting a rescue effort from Big Boss of the Militaires Sans Frontières. They had also detained the Cipher agent Paz Ortega Andrade, after a Belizean fisherman recovered her from sea, having held her for interrogation on behalf of her former employers. During their operations at the naval prison facility, the XOF were frequently stationed at the admin building. After XOF's commander, Skull Face, visited Chico at Camp Omega, and told him to, "Give my regards to your Boss, when you get home," anticipating the arrival of Big Boss at Camp Omega, the group commenced their "Trojan Horse" operation; an assault on the MSF's Mother Base, under the guise of a UN nuclear inspection, though Big Boss, Kazuhira Miller, Huey Emmerich, and one MSF soldier were able to escape. Around the time they departed for their "Trojan Horse" operation, the soldiers proceeded to remove their XOF patches and disposed of them to the wind, although nine managed to remain on the base (one landing among Big Boss's gear around the time he was scaling the cliff). The Marines also witnessed this, although they believed them to be leaves. While undergoing their activities, XOF claimed to be a CIA-based unit. However, an undercover agent uncovered and likewise relayed to Big Boss that XOF was not actually aligned with the CIA at all.

The Marines stationed at the base had no idea who XOF were but did have some suspicions about them.

Equipment and functions
During the events of the mid 1970s and early '80s, regular XOF soldiers wore:
 * Grey drab flight suits.
 * Olive drab combat boots.
 * Chest harness.
 * SPIE harness.
 * Ammo pouches
 * Butt packs.
 * Balaclava.
 * Ballistic helmet with a designation number painted on.
 * Eye protection goggles.
 * Headsets for communication.
 * Black brassard on the left arm with patches of their group's insignia, which they disposed of when about to infiltrate an area. The patches and logo for XOF is a color inversion of the FOX logo.Xof unit.png

These soldiers were armed with the following weapons:


 * AM D114 Pistol.
 * AM Rifle Type 69.
 * Sz.-336 SMG.
 * FB MR R-Launcher.
 * Hand grenade.
 * Smoke grenade.

They were also armed with a unnamed assault rifle that resembled a SIG SG 550, and had access to aircraft and vehicles, such as modified Blackhawks with retractable gears and refueling booms, APCs, and jeeps.

XOF was also seen to possess a Metal Gear that was similar in appearance to Metal Gear REX, named ST-84 and located in an unknown hangar.

Behind the scenes
XOF first appeared in the PAX Prime 2012 demo for Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (at the time simply titled as Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes). In both the VGA 2012 trailer for The Phantom Pain, and the GDC 2013 trailer for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, there are soldiers shown attacking a hospital that utilize similar uniforms and equipment to XOF, although it is currently unclear if they are the same group.

In the demo shown at the Kojima Productions Los Angeles studio live opening, the XOF members, when disposing of their XOF badges, also released a FOX badge, with the player later finding it after interrogating a soldier about it. It was later confirmed that the XOF patches were indeed collectible in-game, and that collecting them all will unlock the extra op missions "Déjà Vu" and "Jamais Vu." In Jamais Vu, Raiden is offered payment in the form of XOF patches in exchange for having him wipe out the Body-Snatchers that took over the Cuban base, implying that XOF had been wiped out in this storyline.

Collecting the XOF badges was referenced on the 12 Days of Metal Gear promotional event on the official Metal Gear Solid Facebook page leading up to the release of Ground Zeroes on Steam, acting as the equivalent of the lyric of "9 Ladies Dancing" from the namesake song "The Twelve Days of Christmas."