The Night Stalkers of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) are an elite helicopter unit. The 160th SOAR(A) is comprised of a regiment headquarters, four battalions and a dedicated training company. This is also accompanied by much longer training in most cases. Enlisted Combat Skills Course (Green Platoon), Travel Status for Enlisted Combat Skills Training, Crewmember Enlisted Flight Training/Qualification, Qualified in one of the authorized MOS or able to reclassify, Have or be able to obtain a SECRET security clearance, Pass a standard ACFT (70% minimum in each event), Special Operations Combative Program (SOCP), Mountain, Desert, Overwater/Ship Environments, Special Operations Aviation Advisor Directorate. The Chinook was on the ground for probably 20 to 25 minutes. As the operators disembarked their helicopters, they came under fire from a nearby house, and more al-Qaeda fighters soon joined the firefight. [41], The Washington Post reported that 160th SOAR took part in the Yakla raid in Yemen on 29 January 2017, distinguishing itself when its helicopters flew repeatedly into heavy enemy fire to support U.S. Navy SEALs pinned down on the ground. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy, and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country. Morale, esprit de corps, and the retention of special operations aviation Soldiers and NCOs is critical to our mission and the future of our force. Because hed anticipated and planned for that, he was able to defeat and evade the fighter jet. In March 2006, SEALs from DEVGRU and Rangers were flown by the 160th SOAR into in North Waziristan, Pakistan, to assault an al-Qaeda training camp, allegedly under the codename: Operation Vigilant Harvest, the assaulters killed as many as 30 terrorists including the camps commandant. "That's why we were picked for this mission. I mean like, right next to it, Englen explained. 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 special operations forces. An RPG hit the shielding MH-47E, whose pilot crash-landed with no serious injuries to operators or aircrew. He was there, but it took (us) so long to get in, Englen stated. The crash killed a soldier, Sergeant First Class James R. Stright, 29, and injured eight others, three seriously. It was hotter than expected for the MH-60 crews, and it had more fuel than expected. Green Platoon is the initial training program all Soldiers must attend prior to becoming a member of the 160th. [23], On 14 May 2006, helicopters from the 160th SOAR brought operators from Delta Force's B Squadron to Yusufiyah, Iraq, to fight al-Qaeda fighters in several buildings.
They did not bring in the rest of the air crew, and the rest of the ground force, until two and a half weeks before they executed the mission. Career stability and longevity as a Night Stalker means opportunity for advancement within the Regiment. After U.S. Navy SEALs killed Osama bin laden in Pakistan in May 2011, top CIA officials secretly told lawmakers that information gleaned from brutal interrogations played a key role in what was one of the spy agencys greatest successes. The following is a general overview of the process for becoming a Night Stalker and a member of the Special Operations Command. Got it, thanks for the info. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy, and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country. We have guys that know where our kit bags are at, in case something were to happen, he said. Turbine engines are running at a constant speed about 6,000 rpm (revolutions per minute).
As soon as the last ground force was on the aircraft, the crew chiefs came in right behind them and ramped up. Ive seen them referred to as on the the SMUs in JSOC, but theyre also left out of lists often times (such as the list of units specified on Wikipedia). It was a little bit of a surprise to his wife. There are unlimited opportunities to lead within the 160th SOAR. For the latest USASOC guidance and news, please click here. They thought it was just a publicity stunt for propaganda, for campaigning for Obama. As the sites were eliminated the first heliborne SOF teams launched from H-5 airbase in Jordan, including vehicle-mounted patrols from the British and Australian special forces, who were transported by the MH-47Es of the 160th SOAR. He had kept the details in the executive summary regarding their special operations air piece to a minimum, careful about providing contextual data. "TF 160 was truly amazing at Haditha Dam, he said. "Haditha Dam was a big one. is located at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.; and 4th Bn. Serving the Rugged Professional", Survivor Outreach Services | Total Army Sponsorship | Safety, Human Resources | Civilian Expeditionary Workforce, U.S. Army Environmental Command | Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy & Environment, Detachment 4, 18th Combat Weather Squadron, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Regional Network Enterprise Center Bluegrass Region, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy & Environment. The Chinooks would be there as the backup. The 5-week course includes: Following completion of Enlisted Combat Skills, Soldiers will complete unit level training prior to reporting to their gaining unit. We didnt even get to say goodbye, the phone had disconnected. [28] On 24 April 2008, Company D, 3rd Battalion, 160th SOAR was inactivated at a ceremony conducted at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, as part of a regimental transformation plan. Al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen. Night Stalkers are leaders, highly trained professionals, and a critical component of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Let's refer to these as "Type X". That was the No. Only a few days following Objective Gecko, Englen (under a senior flight lead) rescued Hamid Karzai from the Taliban. has two MH-47 Chinook helicopter companies; and 3rd and 4th battalions each have two MH-47 Chinook helicopter companies and one MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter company.
Thats whats motivating me. each have two MH-47 Chinook helicopter companies and one MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter company. Listen as these tried and true Volunteers share their Army Special Operations Aviation experience and what its like to be a Night Stalker. Once a nuclear matter is identified everything defaults to the DoE for decision making. Regiment reorganization modifying the 160th fleet composition was approved in October 2007 and will be implemented over the next several years. Right now, Im just telling you the story, because theres never been an air piece conveyed on what happened that night, Englen reiterated. Somebody was always planning or doing something for those guys. If it crashed in civilian area? Because, I mean, how long does it take operators to run on the back of a Chinook? I dont know whats going on, Tina replied. The dramatic nighttime raid was "painstakingly recreated" in the film Zero Dark Thirty,[35] which covers the CIA's efforts to track down bin Laden, from just after the September 11th attacks to the daring raid ten years later. They have no idea, do they? Shed whispered to him. Right after Englen dropped the body off with the Marines so they could fly it up to the Carl Vinson and had written his executive summary report, he received approval to run inside real quick to call his wife. Their aircraft had just been fitted with new equipment, which he helped certify. Both helicopters were struck by small arms fire. 
"He was really concerned, you know, Youre gone a lot. The 160th SOAR(A) is comprised of a regiment headquarters, four battalions and a dedicated training company. They basically said, If you werent there, it wouldve been different. So it made me feel good, Englen shared. CENTCOM mistakenly posted a video on the internet of a flight of four MH-60Ms of the 160th SOAR conducting a mid-air refueling over Iraq in October 2014, the video was hastily taken down. Were the pilots chosen for the UBL raid from 160th?
In October 1981, the unit was officially designated the 160th Aviation Battalion. You will find the standards of performance exacting and unwavering. He saw combat as a door gunner during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Russ was giving her a bottle of water, when the VBIED detonated.. Id say, two or three minutes before we got in there. That meant they were sitting on the ground vulnerable inside a sovereign nation, after invading its airspace and assaulting a compound. They are highly trained and ready to accomplish the very toughest missions in all environments, anywhere in the world, day or night, with unparalleled precision. All Enlisted Soldiers will attend the Special Operations Aviation Training Battalion (SOATB) Enlisted Combat Skills Course (Green Platoon). Dubbed Operation Honey Badger, it was called off when the hostages were released on the morning of President Ronald Reagan's inauguration. Her daughter came home, worried, from prom in her huge ball gown. The Marine air crew hadnt been read into what they were doing there, or where they were going. WebSOAR (Night Stalkers) SOAR is also called the 160th Special Operations Aviation Unit or Night Stalkers. You realize, by you being concerned and asking that question, you know youre not, theyd said. When he flew over Abbottabad, it felt as familiar as flying over his hometown of Clarksville, Tennessee. 
They did a great job crash landing and not hurting anybody.. Ranger Joe Haroskys friend Russ Rippletoe was killed in that vehicle-borne IED (VBIED) incident, along with three other Rangers.
what tier is 160th soar