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The Night Stalkers - 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment

Night Stalker

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:

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))
    Note: 1/160th SOAR provides support to Joint Special Forces Command (JSOC) as well as SOCOM in general.
  • 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)

MH-6 Little Bird
An MH-6 Little Bird. The Night Stalkers use the 'flying egg' in the light assault (MH-6M) and Light Attack (AH-6M) roles.
U.S. Army Photo


MH-60 Black Hawks
160th SOAR MH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The regiment use Black Hawks as assault helicopters (MH-60M) and as escort/gunships (MH-60M DAP).
U.S. Army photo by Walter Sokalski, USASOC PAO


MH-47G Chinook
Airmen with the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron conducts helocast training from an MH-47G Chinook operated by the Night Stalkers. The MH-47G is used by the 160th SOAR as a heavy-lift assault helicopter.
U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Russ Jackson

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


160th SOAR Resources

Night Stalkers Photos
AH-6j - carrier takeoff MH-60 Black Hawk  MH-60L IDAP 160th SOAR - MH-47E Chinook MH-60 Pilot

160th SOAR photo gallery

Night Stalkers Video

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Night Stalkers Insignia
160th SOAR insignia
 
Night Stalkers Motto
Night Stalkers Don't Quit
 
Featured Night Stalkers Photo
Night Stalkers mh-6
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment MH-6 Little Birds pictured at a demo at a NASCAR event.
(click for fullsize)
more Night Stalker photos