160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne)
The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) provides aviation support to Army special operations forces. The Regiment consists of modified OH-6 light observation helicopters, MH-60 utility helicopters and MH-47 medium-lift helicopters. The regiment had about 1,400 troops as of mid-2002.
In July 2002 the Army announced plans to expand the Special Operaitons aviation arm to meet a growing demand for special operations forces. The plan is to add one battalion to the three existing in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. The expansion would add 12 MH-47 helicopters, which are the only ones in the Army that can refuel in flight. By early August 2002 it was reported that the Army wanted to expand the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, add about 900 troops along with 35 new helicopters. The increase was proposed for 2005 to 2009,
The capabilities of the 160th SOAR have been evolving since the early 1980s. Shortly after the failed hostage rescue mission, Desert One, in Iran, the Army formed a special aviation unit. The unit drew on some of the best aviators in the Army and immediately began an intensive training program in low-level, night operations. The unit became a battalion of its own on October 16, 1981. Designated the 160th Aviation Battalion, the unit was popularly known as Task Force 160 because of the constant attachment and detachment of units to prepare for a wide variety of missions. Its focus on night operations resulted in the nickname, "The Night Stalkers." On May 16, 1990 the unit was reorganized, designated the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), and assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.
The Regiment consists of three battalions. The 1st and 2nd Battalions are located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, while the 3rd Battalion is located at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. Additionally, Company F and Company G are located at Fort Lewis, Washington. The organizational structure of the 160th SOAR allows the Regiment to quickly tailor its unique assets to meet mission requirements of special operations forces.
The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) pioneered night flight techniques and shared in the development of equipment.
The unit originally was formed from attachments from the 101st Aviation Battalion, 158th Aviation Battalion, 229th Aviation Battalion and the 159th Aviation Battalion, immediately entered into a period of intensive night flying and quickly became the Army's premier night fighting aviation force and the Army's only Special Operations Aviation force.
Task Force 160 was officially recognized as a Unit on 16 October 1981 when it was designated as the 160th Aviation Battalion. Since that time, the 160th has become known as the "Night Stalkers," because of their capability to strike undetected during darkness, and their performance around the world.
The 160th received its baptism by fire during Operation URGENT FURY in Grenada. Despite flying against a heavily armed Cuban and Grenadan force, the Task Force was able to complete its mission. Since 1983, the unit has responded to numerous missions at the request of the National Command Authority. This includes the eminently successful MOUNT HOPE III Operation in June 1988, performed in the most demanding environmental flight conditions imaginable, clearly demonstrating the ability of man and machine to strike deep, accomplish the mission and return safely. Night Stalkers participated in Operations PRIME CHANCE conducting sustained operations and ably supported a joint military Task Force under extraordinarily difficult and hazardous conditions. Aircrews of the 160th habitually operated 30 feet above the water, at night, using night vision goggles and forward looking infrared devices.
Operation PRIME CHANCE resulted in the first successful night combat engagement which neutralized an enemy threat while using Aviator Night Vision Goggles and Forward Looking Infrared Devices.
Night Stalkers were called upon to spearhead Operation JUST CAUSE, the liberation of Panama. Soldiers of the 160th deployed from Fort Campbell during the harshest winter conditions on record into the sweltering darkness of Panama. Night Stalkers conducted successful pre H-Hour combat airborne and air assaults, striking the first blows to oust a hostile dictator and safeguard American and Panamanian lives. The reckless and senseless destruction of Kuwait was met by the swift introduction of Special Operations Aviation into the Southwest Asia theater of operations. Both operations proved the 160th's ability to conduct complicated night and sustained combat operations as a Unit against a determined enemy.
In October 1993, while supporting the requirements of the National Command Authority, Night Stalkers engaged an unconventional hostile force under the direction of gang leader, Farah Aideed. The soldiers of the 160th entered into an 18-hour firelight of an intensity that had not been encountered since Vietnam. The dedicated efforts exhibited by these soldiers to overcome adversity and rescue fellow comrades once again demonstrated that Night Stalkers don't quit. The courageous response of the Army's only special operations aviation unit has successfully deterred aggressive and provocative threats by those who seek harm upon our country, bolstered national morale and prestige, and support national foreign policy goals.
As the 160th has evolved, various unit configurations have occurred. On 16 October 1986, the tough warrior spirit of the airborne and the tenacious determination of the Night Stalkers were joined as the Task Force further evolved and became an airborne Unit, redesignated as the 160th Aviation Group (Airborne).
The organization continued to grow and was officially activated as the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) in June 1990. Responding to an increased demand for elite highly trained special operations aviation assets, the Regiment activated three battalions, a separate detachment, and incorporated one National Guard battalion.
The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment uses specially modified aircraft and highly trained pilots and aircrews to get special operations teams to their missions. Often moving through hostile territory or flying in bad weather or at night, the 160th SOAR has adopted the name "Night Stalkers."
To become a 160th SOAR aviator, a pilot must serve one full tour after completion of flight school and undergo a unit-level pilot-in-command evaluation. Completion of 1,000 flight hours and 100 night-vision hours are desirable but not required. As part of their selection process, pilots attend a weeklong assessment at Fort Campbell, Ky., where they undergo physical, mental and emotional evaluations. Physical testing includes the APFT and a Navy Class II swim test, which includes swimming in full uniform with flight vest and helmet. Candidates also must appear before a board of officers and subject matter experts who evaluate their performance and potential.
Once assigned to the regiment, soldiers attend "Green Platoon." The Special Operations Aviation Training Company conducts this entry-level and refresher training. Green Platoon, which focuses on skill development and building self-confidence and teamwork, lasts five weeks for enlisted soldiers and up to eight months for rated aviators. Since the 160th often flies at just 30 feet above water or treetop level, using night-vision goggles and infrared devices, Green Platoon prepares pilots in these skills. According to their assignments, soldiers are also given the opportunity to attend airborne, advanced aviation MOS, water survival and survival, evasion, resistance and escape training.
State-of-the-art equipment is another critical requirement of successful SOAR operations, and the 160th possesses several very different and capable aircraft. The ARSOA regiment's rotary-wing aircraft include the AH/MH-6 Cayuse; the MH-60 Blackhawk; the MH-60 variant, known as the direct action penetrator (DAP); and the MH-47 Chinook. ARSOA units are designed to plan, conduct, and support SO missions unilaterally or jointly in all theaters and all levels of conflict. To accomplish this mission, ARSOA units are task organized according to the unit they will support, the theater of operations, and expected missions. ARSOA task organizations are formed around one of the assault battalions.
The AH/MH-6 Little Bird's immediate ancestors are the OH-6A light observation helicopters used during the Vietnam War. The AH-6 is an attack version, used in close-air ground support and direct action. The MH-6 is a utility aircraft, used to insert or extract small combat teams.
The MH-60 variants of the Black Hawk are utility aircraft typically equipped with aerial refueling capability, infrared suppressive exhausts and other special operations-specific technology.
The MH-47E Chinook is the 160th SOAR's long-distance, heavy-lift helicopter, which is equipped with aerial refueling capability, a fast-rope rappelling system and other upgrades or operations-specific equipment.
Army Special Operations Aviation (ARSOA) is an integral part of special operations (SO). ARSOA units plan and conduct air operations in all operational environments across the spectrum of conflict. They are specially trained and equipped to conduct SO as part of an Army special operations task force (ARSOTF) or joint special operations task force (JSOTF). To employ this force properly, commanders must understand the basic characteristics of SO in general and ARSOA in particular. ARSOA provides the commander a means to infiltrate, resupply, and exfiltrate Army special operations forces (ARSOF) engaged in all core missions and collateral activities.
ARSOA units are trained and equipped to infiltrate, resupply, and exfiltrate US Special Operations Forces (USSOF) and other designated personnel. Training is specifically tailored to profiles that support the SOF mission. ARSOA units prefer to operate at night. They use night vision goggles (NVG) or night vision systems (NVS) and low-level flight profiles. They conduct training in all operational environments and terrain: desert, mountain, jungle, urban, and over water. Inherent in the training is the ability to operate from maritime platforms. Training emphasizes precise navigation over long-range and under adverse weather conditions.
ARSOA aircraft are modified to add the capability for aerial refueling; they are modified to enhance precise navigation, secure communications, long-range flight performance, and increased weapons lethality. The enhancements give ARSOA the unique capability to take advantage of adverse weather, limited visibility, or low ceilings. These conditions provide concealment for air operations; they help achieve surprise. Organic attack helicopter aircrews are specifically trained to provide close air support (CAS) and terminal guidance for precision munitions and support of SOF.
ARSOA is not equipped or manned to provide its own food service or water storage; it requires food service 24 hours a day because of varied aircrew schedules. ARSOA cannot secure its aircraft or operating base; it must operate from a secure base and airfield. ARSOA is not equipped or manned to effect its own integration into the airspace control system; it requires support or augmentation for airspace deconfliction and tactical air support coordination. It cannot accept supply point distribution or to conduct moves because it does not have the ground support assets necessary to accept supply point distribution or to conduct moves; it requires the unit distribution method of resupply and ground transportation support to conduct unit moves.
ARSOA is not equipped to provide sufficient billeting for its personnel; it requires climate-controlled facilities that must be compartmented and lighted to accommodate varied aircrew schedules. ARSOA is not equipped, manned, or apportioned to the theater in sufficient quantities to provide even its own aerial resupply or to conduct its own unit movement; it requires GP aviation aerial resupply and aerial movement support. ARSOA requires stove-pipe requisition and distribution systems for resupply of ARSOA-peculiar Class II, V, and IX items; resupply of these items cannot be met through normal requisition and distribution systems.
