The Night Stalkers - 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
The 160th SOAR, otherwise known as Task Force 160 (TF-160), or the 'Night Stalkers', are an elite U.S. Army special operations unit who fly helicopters in support of both SOF and regular forces.
The 160th SOAR fly the following helicopters:
- MH-47G Chinook
- MH-60M Black Hawk
- MH-60M DAP (gunship variant)
- AH-6M / MH-6M Little Bird
- Stealth / Ghost Hawk
(MH-60 Black Hawks modified to include stealth feaqtures)
160th SOAR - Role
The Night Stalkers mission includes:
- insertion/extraction of special operations forces (SOF)
- attack missions
- reconnaissance
The 160th SOAR practice regularly with SOF from the U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy as well as carrying out exercises with SOF from other nations such as the United Kingdom.
Night Stalkers Video
US and South Korean Special Forces training with MH-47s operated by the 160th SOAR
160th SOAR - Organization
The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment is an element of U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command (ARSOAC), itself part of United States Army Special Operations Command (Airborne)(USASOC(A)), a component of United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The regiment consists of:
- Headquarters & Headquarters Company (HHC)
- Special Operation Aviation Training Company (SOATC)
- 1st Battalion (1/160th SOAR (A))
Fort Campbell, KY- Headquarters & Headquarters Company (HHC)
- Light Assault Helicopter Company Alpha (A Co 1/160th SOAR (A)
MH-6M Little Birds (15) - Light Attack Reconnaissance Company Bravo (B Co 1/160th SOAR (A))
AH-6M Little Birds (15) - Assault Helicopter Company Charlie (C Co 1/160th SOAR (A))
MH-60M Black Hawks (10) - Assault Helicopter Company Delta (D Co 1/160th SOAR (A))
MH-60M Black Hawks (10) - Assault Helicopter Company Echo (E Co 1/160th SOAR (A))
MH-60M DAP Black Hawks (10) - Aviation Maintenance Company (F Co 1/160th SOAR (A))
- 2nd Battalion (2/160th SOAR (A))
Fort Campbell, KY- Headquarters & Headquarters Company (HHC)
- Heavy Helicopter Company Alpha (A Co 2/160th SOAR (A))
MH-47G Chinooks (8) - Heavy Helicopter Company Bravo (B Co 2/160th SOAR (A))
MH-47G Chinooks (8) - Assault Helicopter Company Charlie (C Co 2/160th SOAR (A))
MH-60M Black Hawks (10) - Aviation Maintenance Company (D Co 2/160th SOAR (A))
- 3rd Battalion (3/160th SOAR (A))
Hunter Army Airfield, GA- Headquarters & Headquarters Company (HHC)
- Heavy Helicopter Company Alpha (A Co 3/160th SOAR(A))
MH-47G Chinooks (8) - Heavy Helicopter Company Bravo (B Co 3/160th SOAR(A))
MH-47G Chinooks (8) - Assault Helicopter Company Charlie (C Co 3/160th SOAR(A))
MH-60M Black Hawks (10) - Aviation Maintenance Company (D Co 3/160th SOAR(A))
- 4th Battalion (4/160th SOAR (A))
Fort Lewis, WA- Headquarters & Headquarters Company (HHC)
- Heavy Helicopter Company Alpha (A Co 4/160th SOAR(A))
MH-47G Chinooks (8) - Heavy Helicopter Company Bravo (B Co 4/160th SOAR(A))
MH-47G Chinooks (8) - Assault Helicopter Company Charlie (C Co 4/160th SOAR(A))
MH-60M Black Hawks (10) - Aviation Maintenance Company (D Co 4/160th SOAR(A))
- E Company
Fort Campbell, KY
MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aerial systems (UAS)
160th SOAR - Notable Operations
Since their beginnings as Task Force 160, set up following the debacle in Iran, the Night Stalkers have flown missions in Grenada, Panama, The Persian Gulf, Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan, amongst others.
more info : 160th SOAR operations