The unit was formed in 1990, and reportedly was assigned to support operations supporting 1st special forces operational detachmen delta sfodd or delta force, seal team six and various. The 160th special operations aviation regiment is an element of u. The 160th soar practice regularly with sof from the u. Army special operations unit who fly helicopters in support of both sof and regular forces. The hot, highaltitude flying that the theatre requires has meant that the regiments mh47 chinooks with occasional escorts from mh60l dap. It was formally dedicated in a ceremony at hunter army airfield, ga.
Army 160th special operations aviation regiment military. Feb 05, 20 according to a report the 160th special operations aviation regiment, based at fort campbell, ky. Green platoon is a sixweek assessment and training program that teaches basic soldiering skills, combat, land navigation, and weapons skills. The 129th soac was activated as part of 1st special operations command socom and joined with the four special forces group aviation detachments and the 160th aviation battalion as the armys special operations aviation components. Sep 11, 2019 soldiers of the 160th have been actively and continuously engaged in the combat operations since october 2001. Smith to command night stalkers northwest guardian. Fort campbells night stalkers mark new lineage with donning. Making a night stalker is a rare insight into the elite 160th soar nightstalkers december 21, 2018 tom demerly helicopters, special operations 0 the distinctive black mh47g chinook special. Its missions have included attack, assault, and reconnaissance, and these missions are usually conducted at night, at high speeds, low altitudes, and. Us army 160th special operations aviation regiment patch night stalkers stratopswidth. Soldiers of the 160th pioneered the armys nighttime flying techniques. Known as night stalkers, these soldiers are recognized for their proficiency in nighttime operations. The new arrangement will enhance the 160th special operations aviation regiment warfighting role of providing rotarywing aircraft to support special operations forces missions in. The 160th special operations aviation regiments mission is to organize, equip, train, resource, and employ army special operations aviation forces worldwide in support of contingency missions and.
The 160th special operations aviation regiment airborne, abbreviated as 160th soar a, is a special operations force of the united states army that provides helicopter aviation support for general purpose forces and special operations forces. During the vietnam war, the 129th assault helicopter. Army 4th company 160th special operations aviation regiment gunsagogo patch. Today, the 160th special operations aviation regiment continues a sustained and active forward presence in the u. Rigorous training continues upon assignment to the line units. The 160th special operations aviation regiments mission is to organize, equip, train, resource and employ army special operations aviation forces worldwide in support of contingency missions and warfighting commanders. Making a night stalker is a rare insight into the elite 160th soar nightstalkers december 21, 2018 tom demerly helicopters, special operations. Night stalkers are highly trained and ready to accomplish the very toughest missions in all environments, anywhere in the world, day or night, with worldclass precision. Following the 160th soar green platoon, he was assigned to 1st battalion, 160th special operations aviation regiment where he served as a platoon leader and operations officer. Its missions have included attack, assault, and reconnaissance, and these missions are usually. Enjoy these close up shots of the 160th soars mh47gs. The remaining 4 companies were reflagged from b, c, d, and f companies, 160th aviation, then assigned to the 160th special operations aviation group. The new arrangement will enhance the 160th special operations aviation regiment warfighting role of providing rotarywing aircraft to support special operations forces missions in all geographic.
The joint special operations command jsoc is a component command of the united states special operations command ussocom and is charged to study special operations requirements and techniques to ensure interoperability and equipment standardization. There is one operations battalion located at ft stewart, ga and another at ft. Us army 160th special operations aviation regiment soar. Known as the night stalkers, the worlds premier night fighting aviation force and the armys only special operations aviation regiment. Aviation units active reporting units 129th special operations aviation company. Army special operations aviation command arsoac, itself part of united states army special operations command airborneusasoca, a component of united states special. Soar the 160th special operations aviation regiments mission is to organize, equip, train, resource and employ army special operations aviation forces worldwide in support of contingency missions and combatant commanders.
Army special operations aviation command, which oversees the 160th, posted a picture of an mh47g on its instagram page on jan. Department of defense dod visual information or any. According to a report the 160th special operations aviation regiment, based at fort campbell, ky. Known as the night stalkers, these soldiers are recognized. As joseph trevithik reported at the war zone recently, the u. So far, only five smus have been publicly disclosed. The 3rd battalion, 160th special operations aviation regiment airborne hangar, formerly known as building 7902, is now named turbine 33 after the aircraft crews call sign. From 2009 to 2011, smith served as a 160th soar special mission unit liaison officer and regiment operations officer. The majority of the regimental assets are stationed at ft.
Usasoc news service, june 8, 2007 a hunter army airfield hangar has a new name honoring the memory of an eightperson night stalker crew who died in combat on june 28, 2005. United states army special operations command wikipedia. United states army 160th special operations aviation regiment military patch mnf1 stratops soc night salkers baghdad iraq 2007. The 160th soar deployed into afghanistan, along with the 1st american special operations forces. Oct 03, 20 each formation has a unique formation patch, which serves as an indicator of a units heraldic lineage. Fort campbell, ky soldiers, families and friends of the 160th special operations aviation regiment airborne marked a new chapter for the unit with a patch changeover ceremony oct.
Fort campbells night stalkers mark new lineage with. The black hawks and chinooks continued to operate around. The gold and teal special forces shoulder patch, originally approved in 1955, is authorized for wear by personnel of the u. Known as the night stalkers, these soldiers are recognized for their proficiency in nighttime operations. Headquartered at fort bragg, north carolina, it is the largest component of the united states special operations command. Decorate your laptops, water bottles, notebooks and windows. The modern day 160th special operations aviation regiment airborne was officially activated in june 1990. For the soldiers of the 160th special operations aviation regiment airborne, their lineage is traced to four distinctive patches, highlighting. Jun 14, 2018 following the 160th soar green platoon, he was assigned to 1st battalion, 160th special operations aviation regiment where he served as a platoon leader and operations officer.
Enjoy these close up shots of the 160th soars mh47gs new. The night stalkers are the premier practitioners of longrange, lowlevel night operations. Each formation has a unique formation patch, which serves as an indicator of a units heraldic lineage. The 160th soar provides unparalleled precision rotary wing special operations, isr, and expertise to all dod special operations forces.
The 160th soar, otherwise known as task force 160 tf160, or the night stalkers, are an elite u. They are highly trained and ready to accomplish the very toughest. Gold and seal colors are assigned to units that are at first branch unassigned, like the special forces. This item is the perfect way to show case your loved ones military service and honor. Apr 29, 2020 the 160th special operations aviation regiments mission is to organize, equip, train, resource and employ army special operations aviation forces worldwide in support of contingency missions and warfighting commanders. John thompson, talks with the soldiers of quick reaction capability 2, the unmanned aerial systems company, following a.
Special operations stickers featuring millions of original designs created by independent artists. Most recently, in july 2006, the regiment provisionally stood up a fourth battalion to meet growing special operations forces requirements. United states us army 160th special operations aviation regiment soar airborne patch night stalker 100% embroidery ironon measures approximately 3. History of the 160th soara the army owes its modern night fighting aviation capabilities to the 160th special operations aviation regiment airborne who pioneered night flight techniques, shared in the development of equipment, and proved that night stalkers dont quit, a motto the regiment lives by.
The unit originally formed from attachments of the 101st. Army special operations aviation command, which oversees the 160th, posted a picture. Us and south korean special forces training with mh47s operated by the 160th soar. Oct 02, 20 fort campbell, ky soldiers, families and friends of the 160th special operations aviation regiment airborne marked a new chapter for the unit with a patch changeover ceremony oct. The night stalker association is a nonprofit organization founded in 1988 and is organized under irc 501c19 as a veterans organization. Through donations and sponsorship, we are able to provide support to the soldiers and families of this extraordinary unit. Central command area of operations at multiple locations in support of operations enduring freedom.
Based on information from unclassified files of the 160th soar a and interviews with many of the participants, the report describes some of the major operations in which the unit has. The night stalkers is the nickname given to the special operations aviation regiment soar. Army 1st battalion, 160th aviation special operations. Their distinctive 101st screaming eagle patches remained on their uniforms. This report traces the history of the 160th special operations aviation regiment soar airborne from its inception in october 1981 to the present. Army 160th special operations aviation regiment soar. The 160th special operations aviation regiments mission is to organize, equip. The joint special operations command also oversees the special mission units of u.
Army special forces command airborne and subordinate units. The united states army special operations command airborne usasoc is the command charged with overseeing the various special operations forces of the united states army. Sep 03, 2010 the 160th special operations aviation regiment airborne commander, col. This patch is a prized piece for any pecially for the veteran or love one, who has served or is still serving with pride. Patch night stalkers death waits in the night 5 embroidered patch with wax backing and merrowed edge special operations aviation regiment special forces special operations 5. These are elite special operations forces units that perform highly classified activities. For the soldiers of the 160th special operations aviation regiment airborne, their lineage. The professionalism and capabilities of army special operations aviation are developed through a train as you fight mentality. In late 2009, e company, 160th special operations aviation regiment was inactivated and reflagged as an element of the 4th battalion, 160th special operations aviation regiment. The armys 160th special operations aviation regiment, airborne soara is the elite aviation unit that flies special operators like navy seals and the armys delta force into the most dangerous. The 160th special operations aviation regiment soar provides rotary wing helicopter aviation support to todays army special operations forces arsof.
Strength battalion type air unit existingdisbanded existing year 1900 present description. The armys 1st special forces operational detachmentdelta delta force. The 160th special operations aviation regiment airborne, abbreviated as 160th soar a. The armys 160th special operations aviation regiment, airborne soara is the elite aviation unit that flies special operators like navy seals and the. The 160th soar is comprised of a headquarters company, a special operations training company and four aviation battalions. Department of defense dod visual information or any governmental department international or in. The 160th special operations aviation regiments mission is to organize, equip, train, resource and employ army special operations aviation forces worldwide in support of contingency missions and combatant commanders.