Operation Mountain Cobra was a UFPF joint operation between the Department of State, Federal Military, and Ranger Command (RANGECOM). It was planned during the lead-up to the constitutional ratification announcement, and officially kicked off the exact second the federation was officially binding.

During the beginning of the operation, rangers were chosen to spearhead security details on a squad volunteer basis. This would provide high quality/pre-vetted troops for the understaffed Department of State, who in the rush to form a functioning department could not feasibly train their own security forces. As an added benefit rangers would have the opportunity to familiarize themselves in the strategic and diplomatic landscape the federation found themselves in.

Deployments of diplomatic missions were deplayed for a day to allow for final ranger selection interviews and initiation ceremony. The final interview was conducted personally by Reiko Eleythos and C.J. "Paladin" Bishop. Among the questions asked were:

1. Who are you, in your own words?
2. Where were you when the coup started? What did you do after that?
3. How did you come to be in the federation?
4. For whom do you fight?
5. What does victory in this war look like for you? When should the war end?
6. If the president gave you a direct order to kill USC civilians, what would you do?

Those that passed the final interview were allowed to volunteer as rangers. After an appeal from Mrs. Eleytheros rangers could participate in one of three rituals to take their oath:

• Eleytherian: An eagle feather is dipped in oak ash, then oil in silver bowl. The oil/ash mixture is sprinkled on the head individual while they recite a Ranger prayer seven times in old Agathonian. Incense is burned.
• Orthodox: Ash from a palm branch is applied to the brow of the individual in the shape of a triangle inside a square. Three verses from the Testament is read: the individual's baptismal verse, the individual's catechism verse, and a verse chosen by the chaplain.
• Secular: An oath is taken with a hand upon a copy of the constitution. The oath is a mirror to the soldier's oath, but with an added line to “Serve at the pleasure of the president for the advancement of Liberty throughout all the land.”

The diplomatic mission to the FPU was headed by Yuki Hamakura and the 19th Ranger Squad (Seraphim) of the 1st Ranger Corps provided security.